Imagination and Innovation in Medieval Celtic Literatures

Helen Fulton

ISBN 10: 1837722943 / ISBN 13: 9781837722945

Published by University of Wales Press, GB, 2025

About this Item

The literatures of medieval Wales and Ireland are among the richest vernacular traditions of medieval Europe. From a large corpus of poetry and prose, key texts such as the Welsh Mabinogion, the Irish sagas, Celtic Latin literature, chronicles, saints' lives and court poetry have established their place within the written legacy of medieval Europe. This collection of original essays by leading Celtic scholars, writing in honour of Catherine McKenna, Professor of Celtic at Harvard University, goes beyond the familiar canon of medieval Celtic literatures to showcase a wide range of Welsh and Irish texts that are compelling in their literary imagination and technical innovation.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781837722945

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Imagination and Innovation in Medieval Celtic Literatures
• Publisher: University of Wales Press, GB
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1837722943
• ISBN 13: 9781837722945
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

New perspectives on the rich and inventive storytelling of medieval Wales and Ireland.

The literary traditions of medieval Wales and Ireland are among the richest in Europe, spanning heroic sagas, mythic tales, chronicles, saints’ lives, and court poetry. Imagination and Innovation in Medieval Celtic Literatures brings together leading scholars to explore these vibrant traditions, offering unique perspectives on well-known works like The Mabinogion and the Irish sagas while also uncovering lesser-known texts that push the boundaries of medieval storytelling.

Honoring the scholarship of Celtic expert Catherine McKenna, this collection moves beyond the familiar canon to examine the historical significance and evolving interpretations of medieval Celtic literature. Through close readings of individual texts, this volume reveals how Welsh and Irish writers blended imagination with innovation to produce works of lasting cultural impact. Essential reading for scholars and enthusiasts of Celtic studies, this book deepens our understanding of one of medieval Europe’s most dynamic literary traditions.

About the Authors

Helen Fulton is chair and professor of Medieval literature at the University of Bristol. She has published widely on medieval Welsh and English literature and is the coeditor of The Cambridge History of Welsh Literature.

Georgia Henley is an associate professor of English at Saint Anselm College in Manchester in New Hampshire. She is the author of Reimagining the Past in the Borderlands of Medieval England and Wales.