September 9th, 2010
A 13th Century book of poems described as a “national treasure” is to be stored at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth for safekeeping. Llyfr Aneirin (Book of Aneirin) is currently held at Cardiff Central Library, but its age and condition means it is unable to go on display. Cardiff council wants to preserve the ancient manuscript and is handing it over to the national library.It is considered one of the most important books in the Welsh language. Dating from 1265, it contains a long poem called “Y Gododdin” which is one of the oldest Welsh poems. By depositing the book at the national library, Cardiff council said it would rejoin the Hengwrt collection, which includes The Black Book of Carmarthen and The White Book of Rhydderch, which had been apart for centuries.
