This is Not a Grail Romance: Understanding Peredur Vab Efrawc

This book provides the modern reader with the key to understanding the structure and context of the complex and mysterious narrative Historia Peredur vab Efrawc (Story of Peredur Son of Efrawc), the medieval Welsh version of the grail story.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 228 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2023
Publisher: University of Wales Press

This groundbreaking work delves into the enigmatic medieval Welsh tale Historia Peredur vab Efrawc, one of the few surviving medieval Welsh narrative compositions and a significant member of the 'Grail family of medieval European narratives. Through meticulous research, the study reveals that Historia Peredur stands as an original Welsh composition, contrary to previous theories suggesting it was an adaptation of the twelfth-century French grail romance. The comprehensive analysis of Historia Peredur's structure presented herein unveils its intricate complexity, yet also demonstrates a more formal and deliberate design. By contextualizing the tale within its medieval Welsh cultural framework, the book offers a deeper understanding of the narrative and the rich cultural heritage that shaped it. The University of Wales Press is honored to acknowledge the generous funding support provided by the Maartje Draak Fund from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Utrecht University Institute for Cultural Inquiry, and the Books Council of Wales, enabling the publication of this invaluable contribution to medieval studies.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837720361