Little Folded Hands

The author of The Mabinogion is unknown, as the stories were passed down through Welsh oral tradition before being recorded in medieval manuscripts. They were later preserved in the White Book of Rhydderch and the Red Book of Hergest, two 14th-century texts. Though the scribes remain unnamed, their work safeguarded Wales's rich mythological heritage. These tales draw from ancient Celtic mythology, heroic sagas, and supernatural folklore. They reflect the cultural and political landscape of early Wales, blending history with legend. While the original storytellers are lost to time, their influence endures. In the 19th century, Lady Charlotte Guest translated and popularized The Mabinogion, introducing it to a wider English-speaking audience. Her work helped establish the text as a foundational piece of medieval literature and revived interest in Welsh mythology. Thanks to her efforts and the nameless scribes before her, The Mabinogion continues to captivate readers and scholars alike, preserving the voice of a lost era.