Annales Cambriae
Annales Cambriae, or
The Annals of Wales, believed to date from 970, is a
chronicle of events thought to be significant occurring during the years 447-954. It is widely accepted that the first entry (listed "Year 1") was made in
447; however, some sources claim that some entries may have been 'interpolated' in later years (details, names etc. added). Despite the name, it does not only record events in Wales, but also mentions events in
Ireland,
Cornwall and
England and sometimes further afield.
The Annals were compiled at the behest of
Owain ap Hywel, son of
Hywel Dda (who himself had codified
Welsh law in the
Laws of Hywel).
There are two entries in the Annals on
King Arthur, one on
Mordred and one on
Merlin. These entries have been presented in the past as proof to the existence of Arthur and Merlin, although that view is no longer widely held. It is interesting to note that all the other people mentioned in the chronicle are real.
Entries on Arthur, Mordred and Merlin:
Year 72 (c.
516) The
Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulders for three days and three nights and the Britons were victors.:Year 93 (c.
537) The
strife of Camlann in which Arthur and Medraut fell, and there was death in Britain and in Ireland.:Year 126 (c.
573) The
Battle of Arfderydd, between the sons of Eliffer, and Gwenddolau son of Ceidio; in which battle Gwenddolau fell; and Merlin went mad.
*
English historians in the Middle Ages*An English translation of the original Latin Annales can be found
here.
