The Saintly Bard
Exploring the Theology of Taliesin
Within Celtic Christian circles, it is commonplace to hear impressions of figures such as Pelagius as victims of an imperial Christianity. A 4th century Brittonic theologian, Pelagius was notorious for his views on free will and the salvation of humanity. He was condemned as a heretic at the First Council of Ephesus in 431 and his doctrines labelled as heresy. This was not simply a matter of Greco-Roman Christian society slandering a Brittonic figure, as his views were also labelled as heretical at the Synod of Brefi in the 6th century. This was also pivotal for the rise of St. David, who would be later known as the patron saint of Wales.
While there is a discernable attempt to “rehabilitate” Pelagius, this also points toward a more unfortunate issue where the quantity of notable ancient Brittonic theologians is rather scant. One solution to this issue is found in the writings of Taliesin, a 6th century bard known as Taliesin Ben Beirdd in medieval Welsh literature. Within a Middle Welsh manuscript known as the Book of Taliesin, there are several religious poems attributed to him that may illustrate his religious views. Let’s explore the religious themes found in these poems, offering a view on the poet once described as being the legendary Merlin’s superior.
Presence of Latin Vocabulary
In AD 43, Emperor Claudius had begun his conquest of Britain and had subjugated the Brittonic peoples up to modern-day Scotland. This stretch of land would become the Roman province of Brittania, that they would rule until 410. Within these 400 years, the culture and language of the Brittonic people would change and incorporate elements of Roman society. This would include Welsh loanwords derived from Latin, and education on the Latin language.
Being a member of the Welsh learned community, Taliesin demonstrates his Latin education in several of his poems. This includes Lord of Heaven, Permit My Prayer to You, I Make My Prayer to the Trinity, and A Prophesy of Judgment Day, which make use of a rather extended Latin vocabulary. A particularly noteworthy poem is Lord of Heaven, Permit My Prayer to You, which contains whole phrases in Latin.
Indigenous Piety
As a province of Rome, Britain would obtain the benefits through Roman luxuries and trade. This would entail the spread of Greco-Roman mystery cults, such as the Cult of Isis, but also the spread of Christianity. With the Christian tradition placing the earliest bishop as St. Aristobulus within the 2nd century, it has the longest-standing line of apostolic succession within Great Britain and Ireland.
As a member of the bards, a learned class indigenous to Britain, Taliesin demonstrates his name among the five bards of renown along with Talhaearn Tad Awen ("Talhaearn Father of the Muse"), Aneirin, Blwchfardd, and Cian Gwenith Gwawd ("Cian Wheat of Song"). Every poem attributed to Taliesin is written in the Welsh language, along with a deep piety found even in more mundane poems such as A Song of the Wind.
Trinitarian Theology
For much of early Christian history, the relationship between the three Persons of the Holy Trinity was an open question with various answers. It wasn’t until the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD that offered a concise trinitarian formula that provided the Nicaean Creed still spoken in churches worldwide today. This also provided a series of canonical rules that are still in practice today, such as the existence of one bishop per diocese.
Despite only existing within Christendom for a couple of centuries, Taliesin illustrates a strong trinitarian theology throughout several of his poems. This is most obvious in poems such as I Make My Prayer to the Trinity and Everlasting Trinity but is also present in Alexander’s Breastplate. This indicates not only the orthodox nature of Taliesin’s religious poems, but also how quickly the results of the Nicaean Council.
Conclusion
Within the Book of Taliesin, the titular bard illustrates an educated perspective on Christianity in the Welsh language. This is evidenced from his prevalent use of Latin, despite not receiving clerical training. His orthodoxy for the time is without question, along with a deep piety present within his poems secular and religious. Overall, Taliesin demonstrates a perspective on Christianity that is orthodox and uniquely Welsh. The version translated by Gwyneth Lewis and Rowan Williams is highly recommended.