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The Early Welsh Bards
The Lords of Battle Image and Reality of the Comitatus in Dark-Age BritainThe Lords of Battle Image and Reality of the Comitatus in Dark-Age Britain by Stephen S. Evans
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This book includes an extended discussion of the early British bards and their social environment.
The Heroic Poetry of Dark-Age Britain: An Introduction to Its Dating, Composition, and Use as a Historical SourceThe Heroic Poetry of Dark-Age Britain: An Introduction to Its Dating, Composition, and Use as a Historical Source by Stephen S. Evans
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Even more detail on the dating of works attributed to Taliesin and Aneirin.
The Triumph Tree: Scotland's Earliest Poetry AD550-1350The Triumph Tree: Scotland's Earliest Poetry AD550-1350 by Thomas Owen Clancy (Editor)
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Good discussion and translation of poems attributed to Taliesin and Aneirin.
A Guide to Welsh Literature: v. 1A Guide to Welsh Literature: v. 1
An excellent collection of scholarly articles, and a good place to start your reading.
Aneirin - Y Gododdin (Welsh Classics)Aneirin - Y Gododdin (Welsh Classics) by A.O.H. Jarman
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An excellent edition with Welsh and English on facing pages.
Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of BritainTrioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain
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A great compedium of information about the Welsh Triads and their background.
Celtic Poets, The: Songs and Tales from Early Ireland and WalesCeltic Poets, The: Songs and Tales from Early Ireland and Wales
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Another excellent general collection.
Heroic Poets and Poetic Heroes in Celtic Traditions: CSANA Yearbook 3-4Heroic Poets and Poetic Heroes in Celtic Traditions: CSANA Yearbook 3-4
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A wonderful collection of scholarly articles.
The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh TalesThe Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales by Ford
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An excellent and accessible translation of most of the stories normally included in the Mabinogion . Includes introductions, a glossary of proper names, and an index.
Law of Hywel Dda: Law Texts of Medieval Wales (Welsh Classics)Law of Hywel Dda: Law Texts of Medieval Wales (Welsh Classics)
Some hundreds of years later than the main focus of this list, but still useful for its insights into the medieval Welsh mind.
The Arthur of the Welsh: Arthurian Legend in Mediaeval Welsh Literature (University of Wales Press - Writers of Wales)The Arthur of the Welsh: Arthurian Legend in Mediaeval Welsh Literature (University of Wales Press - Writers of Wales) by Rachel Bromwich
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A collection of articles, some of which discuss the early poetry.
Tree of Strings: Crann Nan Teud (Harp)Tree of Strings: Crann Nan Teud (Harp) by Keith Sanger
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Later than 6th century, but good to know about.
Uraicecht na Riar: Poetic Grades in Early Irish LawUraicecht na Riar: Poetic Grades in Early Irish Law
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Translation of an early text.
The Mabinogion (Oxford World's Classics)The Mabinogion (Oxford World's Classics)
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An excellent new translation.
StorytellerStoryteller by G. R. Grove
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The book I wrote with my research: the adventures of a young man in 6th century Britain who wants to become a bard.
The Shining Company (Sunburst Book)The Shining Company (Sunburst Book) by Rosemary Sutcliff
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Another fictional view of an early bard
The Legal Triads of Medieval WalesThe Legal Triads of Medieval Wales by Sara Elin Roberts
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Given the interrelationships of the bards and lawyers, this may be pertinent.