The Red Book of Hergest is one of the most important medieval manuscripts in Welsh history, named for its distinctive red leather binding. Compiled in the late 14th to early 15th century, it is an extensive anthology of Welsh prose and poetry, encompassing mythology, folklore, genealogies, medical texts, religious writings, and historical material. As a cultural artefact, it stands as a central witness to the intellectual, linguistic, and literary traditions of medieval Wales.

Among its most renowned contents are the tales later known as The Mabinogion, which preserve mythic narratives of kingship, heroism, enchantment, and the pre‑Christian Celtic worldview. Yet the manuscript reaches far beyond these stories, offering insight into the daily knowledge, spiritual life, and scholarly pursuits of its era.

Originally kept at Hergest Court and later housed in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, the Red Book remains a vital link to the medieval Celtic world. Although the manuscript itself has never been fully translated into English, its influence endures through modern scholarship and through Lady Charlotte Guest’s translation of The Mabinogion, which draws directly from this source.

Modern Translation

The tales known as The Mabinogion are translated from this manuscript.