00:00 // Introduction: The Lost Gods of Wales
00:45 // The Origins of the Welsh People
02:00 // The Power of Medieval Welsh Poetry
05:00 // Taliesin: The Legendary Bard
09:30 // Yolo Morganwg: The Forger and Visionary
15:00 // The Evolution of Welsh Literature and Myth
20:30 // The Mabinogion and the Four Branches
26:00 // The Mystery of Preiddeu Annwn
32:00 // Mythological Figures: Rhiannon and Arianrhod
38:00 // Gwyn ap Nudd: From Warrior to Lord of the Underworld
42:30 // King Arthur and the Welsh Tradition
48:00 // Glastonbury and the Holy Grail
52:30 // The Ever-Evolving Welsh Mythos
55:00 // Q&A Session with Professor Hutton
59:00 // Closing Thoughts on Welsh Mythology
Since the late 19th century, scholars have thought the poetry and stories of medieval Wales, gathered in manuscripts such as the Red Book of Hergest and the Book of Taliesin, represent stories about pagan gods and goddesses – but recently this has been challenged. These books deal with magic and enchantment and contain vivid characters such as Rhiannon, the proud and wilful Arianrhod, the beautiful and treacherous flower-maiden Blodeuwedd, the decent and vulnerable Lleu Llaw Gyffes, and the supreme bard Taliesin.
A lecture by Ronald Hutton recorded on 26 April 2023 at David Game College, London.
The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website:
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/wales-gods
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