The article examines the representation of the legendary
Welsh bards in the two-volume collection of W.F. Skin The Four
Ancient Books of Wales (Taliesin, Myrddin, Aneirin and Llywarc Hen).
The main traditions of Welsh literature, such as the prophetic tradition
and the tradition of military poetry, are associated with their works. The
heritage of the «early» Welsh poets breathed a new life into the works
of eighteenth and nineteenth century writers and antiquaries who fought
to preserve Welsh culture and defended their national identity.
Keywords
Welsh poetry; bard; minstrel; prophetic tradition; Myrddin; Merlin; Taliesin; Llywarc Hen; Aneirin; W.F. Skene; The Four Ancient Books of Wales.
