Bowls in the Bog: the Langstone Treasure Revealed 23 March 2010 The hoard group of two bowls and a wine-strainer The decorated ring-handle fitting (escutcheon) on the large bowl Investigating the waterlogged find-spot of the bowls and wine strainer. Undertaken as part of an ongoing treasure case by staff of the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Wales and of Amgueddfa Cymru — National Museum Wales In December 2007, Craig Mills discovered two Late Iron Age bronze bowls and a bronze strainer, each decorated in the Celtic Art style. The finds were made while metal-detecting in a low-lying field near Langstone, Newport. This article presents these rare finds and shows how museum fieldwork and research are helping to tell their story... The bronze vessels This hoard of bowls with a 'wine-strainer' was once a drinking-set, for decanting and straining liquids. They may have been used for the preparation and drinking of newly fashionable Mediterranean wine. Alternatively, they may have been put to medicinal or religious use. The bowls are round-bottomed with carefully formed rims. One is slightly larger than the other but the strainer sits comfortably in both. Each bowl has a decorated fitting below the rim, through which a ring was fitted for hanging and storage. The strainer has a wide brim and a rounded body with a ring for hanging. The base is decorated with a carefully designed strainer pattern, achieved by careful piercing with many small, circular holes. The perforation pattern forms three trumpet-shaped zones, surrounding a three-legged triskele motif. The triskele is an often repeated Celtic Art design on Iron Age metalwork in Wales. The significance of the find The two bronze bowls from Langstone were made during the Late Iron Age (50BC-AD60). Examples have previously been found across south western and south eastern England, sometimes in watery places and sometimes in graves. These, and another similar bowl fittings from Llantilio Crosseny (Monmouthshire), show that they were also used across south Wales. The Langstone discoveries provide a rare opportunity to follow up a recent discovery using modern archaeological techniques. Wine-strainers of this form have previously been viewed as early Roman (AD75-150) in date, with examples known from Manorbier (Pembrokeshire) and Coygan (Carmarthenshire). However, this example, found with a set of Late Iron Age bowls, suggests they began to be made and used slightly earlier, probably between AD40-70. Why were valued and complete vessels buried in a bog? A few metres away from the hoard find-spot, a complete wooden tankard of similar age was found at the same time. This suggested a place of particular significance, associated with drinking and the burial of drinking vessels. Two small test-pits were excavated by museum archaeologists and revealed the exact places of these finds, within the same peaty layer. The vessels had been carefully placed into the edge of a low-lying bog or shallow lake. Nearby, at the centre of this bog, on a slightly raised island of gravel, is a known Roman villa site. However, this remote island setting is unusual for a settlement. It may first have been selected as an isolated place of religious significance, before later becoming an important place of residence in Roman times. Offerings to the gods Burying prized objects in lakes, rivers and bogs was a widespread practice across north-western Europe during the Iron Age. These places were chosen for ceremonies involving the giving of prestigious items to the gods, who resided in these places. The reasoning for this final act of burial may relate to a moment of stress experienced by a local Iron Age community. During the middle of the 1st century AD, the Silures tribe of south Wales was engaged in bitter and prolonged conflict with an advancing Roman army. Perhaps such gifts reveal an urgent measure, a call on the power of the Celtic gods against an invading force. Written by Adam Gwilt, with a contributing team of Evan Chapman, Mary Davis, Mark Lewis, Mark Lodwick, Craig Mills & Nigel Nayling
It exists, but not according to this... Sara Huws, 16 March 2010 I was just visiting the St Fagans library, looking to do a little reading up before the Easter tours of St Teilo's Church. A chance encounter and a fleeting chain of thoughts later, I'm here on the blog.It begins when I bump into a colleague clutching a hefty old book, in the reference section of our research library. Rather cryptically, he tells me "It exists! And it's in here!". Taking the book to one side, he lets it fall open - and rightly it does, on the very page he was looking for.In my experience, old dictionaries and manuscripts that fall open like that usually contain something very juicy. Finding a page in this way always makes me think of the people who read the book before me. I feel almost as if I am joining a secret club, where generations of readers have sought out and read the same pages carefully. My old art history professor had a story about illuminated Biblical manuscripts, painstakingly drawn and handled by monks. Almost without fail, they will all fall open at the same page: where Bathsheba is described in the bath. Thankfully, I wasn't confronted with anything as lascivious - but certainly something scandalous. "WALES, see ENGLAND", Encyclopaedia Britannica. The near-apocryphal entry in the Encyclopaedia Britannica: 'Wales, See England'. I had always thought of it as an idiom, muttered under my breath at Jeremy Clarkson's use of 'us'; defensively invoked on seeing corporate maps which leave out Anglesey, and, most recently, when Google decided to celebrate St David's day by putting one of Kind Edward's castles on their homepage. I suppose it isa lot of history to squeeze into so few words.That's just my reaction, of course. Debates about Britishness, Welshness, and other -nesses will continue as long as there are people on this island, and in the darker corners of the internet. Whatever your take on the matter, whichever 'ness'-ness you subscribe to, the museum's job is to take a reading every now and then; keep an eye on what makes us, inexplicably, 'us'.I optimistically dropped by the updated Encyclopaedia Britannica. I was hoping to tie up this post with a point about Wales' growing confidence and international profile using a pithy, concise definition. By now, britannica.com, as it's known, refers to Wales as a 'constituent unit'. I must admit I was disappointed. Over a 150 years since the phrase "Wales: see England" was first published, even as new law-making powers are invested to our Assembly Government: it's strange that 'Country' still does not describe what some people see, when they look at Wales.
Voices from Medieval Wales (AD 1070s- 1500s) 16 March 2010 Introduction An extract from the White Book of Rhydderch, mid 14th century Many different languages were heard in Wales during the early medieval and medieval periods. People from other countries invaded, came here to work or had prolonged contact through trade. These passages were recorded in 2007 for new archaeology galleries at National Museum Cardiff. These modern recreations of what these lost voices may have sounded like illustrate differing degrees of linguistic exchange in Wales, and further perspectives on creative thoughts, words and deeds from these early periods. Anglo-Norman Letter of John Peckham to King Edward, describing the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282. Anglo-Norman reading by David Trotter Anglo-Norman was written and spoken by a small elite following the Norman invasion. After the conquest of Wales by Edward I, Anglo-Norman was introduced as the language of the incoming ruling class in Wales. It survives in a small number of literary texts and in administrative and legal documents. There is some influence, too, of Anglo-Norman on the Welsh language. This example is from a letter of John Peckham, Archbishop of Canterbury (about 1230-92) to King Edward I, describing the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1282. Transcription of the audio passage: Sire, sachez ke cues [ceus?] ke furent a la mort Lewelin truverent au plus privé lu de sun cors menue choses ke nus avoms veues; entre les autres choses il i out une lettre deguisé par faus nuns de traysun. E pur co ke vus seyez garni, nus enveyum le transcript de la lettre a le eveske de Ba, e la lettre meymes tient Eadmund de Mortemer, e le privé seel Lewelin, e ces choses vus purrez aver a vostre pleysir, e ço vus maundum pur vus garner, e nun pas pur ce ke nul en seyt grevé, e vus priums ke nul ne sente mort ne mahayn pur nostre maundement, e ke (s) ce ke nus vus maundums seyt secré. English translation: Lord, know that those who were at the death of Llywelyn found in the most secret part of his body some small things which we have seen. Among the other things there was a treasonable letter disguised by false names. An that you may be warned, we send a copy of the letter to the bishop of Bath, and the letter itself Edmund Mortimer has, with Llywelyn's privy seal, and these things you may have at your pleasure. And this we send to warn you, and not that any one should be troubled for it. And we pray that no one my suffer death or mutilation in consequence of our information, and that what we send you may be secret. Source: R. Griffiths (ed.) 1986, 1282. A Collection of Documents (National Library of Wales), 12-13; English translation by Charles Trice Martin. Anglo-Norman reading by Professor David Trotter, Anglo-Norman Dictionary, Aberystwyth University. Middle Welsh Old Welsh developed into Middle Welsh around 1100. Spoken Welsh included a variety of dialects, such as Gwyndodeg (the speech of Gwynedd) and Gwenhwyseg (the speech of Gwent). The written language was used for religious literature, legal texts, works on medicine, heraldry and farming as well as prose sagas and romances. Medieval Wales remained overwhelmingly Welsh speaking. We have here an example of Middle Welsh taken from one of three cywyddau by the professional bard Iolo Goch (about 1320-98) praising Owain Glyn Dŵr. This one praises his court at Sycharth. The cywydd (plural cywyddau) is one of the most important metrical forms of Welsh poetry, consisting of a series of seven-syllable lines in rhyming couplets, using a form of harmony known as cynghanedd. It was the favourite metre of the poets of the nobility. Iolo's patrons included high-ranking churchmen as well as Anglo-Welsh and Welsh noble families. Transcription of the audio passage: Llys Owain Glyn Dŵr Naw neuadd gyfladd gyflun, A naw gwardrob ar bob un, Siopau glân glwys cynnwys cain, Siop lawndeg fal Siêp Lundain; Croes eglwys gylchlwys galchliw, Capelau â gwydrau gwiw; Popty llawn poptu i'r llys, Perllan, gwinllan ger gwenllys; Melin deg ar ddifreg ddŵr, A'i glomendy gloyw maendwr, Pysgodlyn, cudduglyn cau, A fo rhaid i fwrw rhwydau; Amlaf lle, nid er ymliw, Penhwyaid a gwyniaid gwiw, A'i dir bwrdd a'i adar byw, Peunod, crehyrod hoywryw; Dolydd glân gwyran a gwair, Ydau mewn caeau cywair, Parc cwning ein pôr cenedl, Erydr a meirch hydr, mawr chwedl; Gerllaw'r llys, gorlliwio'r llall, Y pawr ceirw mewn parc arall; English translation: ... nine symmetrical identical halls, and nine wardrobes by each one, bright fair shops with fine contents, a lovely full shop like London's Cheapside; a cross-shaped church with a fair chalk-coloured exterior, chapels with splendid glass windows; a full bakehouse on every side of the court, an orchard, a vineyard by a white court; a lovely mill on flowing water, and his dovecot with bright stone tower; a fishpond, hollow enclosure, what is needed to cast nets; place most abounding, not for dispute, in pike and fine sewin, and his bord-land and his live birds, peacocks, splendid herons, bright meadows of grass and hay, corn in well-kept fields, the rabbit park of our patriarch, ploughs and sturdy horses, great words, by the court, outshining the other, stags graze in another park... English translation by Dafydd Johnston (D. Johnston 1993, Iolo Goch: Poems, Gomer. Middle Welsh reading by Professor Peter Wynn Thomas, Cardiff University. Middle English The Norman Conquest destroyed the literary high culture of Anglo-Saxon England. The Middle English that was increasingly widely used again after about 1200 was grammatically much changed from Old English, and had absorbed many Norse and Anglo-Norman words. English was the usual language of most of the towns founded by Norman and English rulers in Wales. Large numbers of Middle English words passed into Welsh. This example of Middle English comes from the medieval romance 'Sir Cleges'. Sir Cleges is the tale of a spendthrift knight reduced to poverty and restored to prosperity, against a background of Christmas festivities. It was composed in the late 1300s/early 1400s, probably in the north-west Midlands. Transcription of the audio passage: Sir Cleges and his son gent The right waye to Cardiffe went Uppon Cristemas Daye. To the castell he cam full right As they were to mete dy?t, At noun, the soth to saye. In Sir Cleges thow?t to goo, But in pore clothyng was he tho And in sympull araye. The portere seyd full hastyly: "Thou chorle, withdrawe þe smertly, I rede the, without delaye — 'Ellys, be God and Seint Mari, I schall breke thyne hede on hig?t! Go stond in beggeres row?t. Yf þou com more inward, It schall þe rewe afterward, So I schall þe clow?t.' 'Good sir,' seyd Sir Cleges tho, 'I pray you lat me in goo Nowe, without dow?t. The kynge I have a present brow?tt From hym þat made all thynge of now?t; Behold all abow?t!' English translation: Sir Cleges and his fine son took the road straight to Cardiff on Christmas day. He went directly to the castle, as they were sitting down to eat, at noon to tell it true. Sir Cleges meant to go in, but he was poorly dressed then, and in simple costume. The porter very quickly said 'You churl, take yourself off smartly, I tell you, without delay, or by God and Holy Mary I'll break the crown of your head. Go and stand in the crowd of beggars. If you come further in, you'll regret it afterwards. I shall hit you so hard'. 'Good sir', said Sir Cleges then, 'I pray you, let me go in now, without doubt. I have brought the king a present from him who made everything from nothing. Look all around.' Source: D. Speed (ed) 1987, '4. Sir Cleges', Medieval English Romances Part One (Department of English, University of Sydney), 169-92. Middle English reading and translation by Professor John Hines, Cardiff University. Flemish (Middle Dutch) Flemings came to England with the army of William the Conqueror, and during the 1100s as merchants and colonists for new towns. The most famous group of colonists are the Flemings of south-west Wales (Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion). Flemings retained their identity as a group and their language for several generations until the early 1200s. By then they had transformed the character of areas of Dyfed. This example of Flemish comes from the 'Roman van Walewein'. Roman van Walewein is an Arthurian story which appears to be a Flemish invention and in which Walewein (Gawain) is the main character. The central theme in the story is the quest for a flying chess-board which appeared at Arthur's court (and disappeared again). Transcription of the audio passage: Die koninck Arthur zat t'enen male Te Carlioen in zine zale Ende hild hof na konink zede Alzo hi menigwerven dede Met een deel zire man Die ik niet wel genomen kan: Ywein ende Percevaal, Lanceloot ende Duvengaal Entie hoofse Walewein; Zijn gezelle was daar negein. Ook was daar Keye, die drussate. Daar die heren aldus zaten Na den etene ende hadden gedwegen Alzo hoge liede plegen, Hebben zi wonder groot vernomen; Een schaak ten veinstren inkomen Ende breedde hem neder uptie aarde. (...) English translation: King Arthur once was seated in Caerleon in his hall and held court as kings do and as he did frequently with a number of his men who I cannot name all. Yvain and Perceval, Lancelot and Duvengal and the courtly Walewein; who was there without peer. Also Kay was there, the steward. When these lords sat there after a meal, and had washed (their hands) as gentlemen use to do, they witnessed a great wonder: A chess-board came in through the window and alighted on the floor. (...) English translation/source: D. F. Johnson and G. H. M. Claassens (eds) 2000, Roman van Watewein. Arthurian Archives. Dutch Romances. Vol. 1 (Cambridge); Flemish reading by Lauran Toorians. Text by Mark Redknap with Peter Wynn Thomas, Diarmait Mac Giolla Chríost, John Hines, David Trotter, Lauran Toorians
Voices from early medieval Wales (AD 400s -1070s) 15 March 2010 Introduction Latin inscription on a 9th century monument from St Illtud's Church, Glamorgan. The cross was erected by Houelt (Hywel) for this father Res (Rhys). Many different languages were heard in Wales during the early medieval and medieval periods. People from other countries invaded, came here to work or had prolonged contact through trade. Recorded in 2007, these modern recreations of what these lost voices may have sounded like illustrate differing degrees of linguistic exchange in Wales, and further perspectives on creative thoughts, words and deeds from these early periods. Old Welsh Wales is the only part of the British Isles in which a version of the Brythonic language has been spoken without a break down to the present day. Brythonic is the mother language from which Welsh, Cornish and Breton evolved. It developed into Old Welsh during the 500s and 600s. The example of Old Welsh which you can hear on this page is an extract from a series of englynion, or three-line verses, written down in the 800s and known as the Juvencus poems. It is the lament of a lone soldier, whose only companion is a mercenary from the Continent who does not speak his language. While they can fight together, communication is limited. Professor Ifor Williams thought the word franc denoted a 'foreign mercenary soldier', comparing it to the Irish francamais for the same. If the word refers to someone originally from the Carolingian Empire, he would have spoken a form of Gallo-Romance (or if from the eastern areas, perhaps Germanic). Transcription of the audio passage: Niguorcosam nemheuaur henoid Mitelu nit gurmaur Mi am [franc] dam ancalaur. Nicanãniguardam nicusam henoid Cet iben med nouel Mi amfranc dam anpatel. Namercit mi nep leguenid henoid Is discirr micoueidid Dou nam riceus unguetid. English translation: I shall not talk even for one hour tonight, My retinue is not very large, I and my Frank, round our cauldron. I shall not sing, I shall not laugh, I shall not jest tonight Though we drank clear mead, My Frank and I, round our bowl. Let no one ask me for merriment tonight, Mean is my company, Two lords can talk: one can only speak. English translation after Ifor Williams. Source: R. Bromwich (ed.) 1980, The Beginnings of Welsh Poetry. Studies by Sir Ifor Williams D. Litt., LL.D., F.B.A. (University of Wales Press), 89-121; Old Welsh reading by Peter Wynn Thomas Latin Most educated Romano-British were bilingual. Latin was the language of law, government, business and literature in Roman Wales. Latin remained the international language of the highest status throughout the early medieval and medieval periods. It was the language of Christian texts, liturgy and education. The audio track is a reading of the Vulgate version of the Lord's Prayer, read by Beatrice Fannon. Transcription of the audio passage: PATER noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen. English translation: Our father, who art in heaven, Halloed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven Give us this day our daily bread And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen. Old Irish Old Irish was probably brought to Wales by settlers from Ireland while Britain remained a Roman province. The Irish were especially numerous throughout west Wales. It is likely that spoken Irish came to an end in Wales during the 600s but the language has left its mark on many Welsh place-names and on the Welsh language. This example of Old Irish is from The Scholar and his Cat, a poem scribbled on a manuscript in Austria in the early 800s. The scholar reflects on his life; Pangur is his cat's name. Transcription of the audio passage: Meisse ocus Pangur Bán, Cechtar nathar fria shaindán; Bíth a menma-sam fri seilgg Mo menma céin im shaincheird. Caraim-se foss, ferr cach cló, Oc mo lebrán léir ingnu; Ní foirmtech frimm Pangur Bán, Caraid cesin a maccdán. Ó ro biam, scél cen scís, I n-ar tegdais ar n-oendís, Táithiunn díchríchide clius Ní fris tarddam ar n-áithius. English translation: Myself and White Pangur are each at his own trade; he has his mind on hunting, my mind is on my own task. Better than any fame I prefer peace with my book, pursuing knowledge; White Pangur does not envy me, he loves his own childish trade. A tale without boredom when we are at home alone, we have — interminable fun — something on which to exercise our skill. English translation by D. Greene and F. O'Connor (D Greene&F. O'Connor (ed and trans) 1967, A Golden Treasury of Irish Poetry A.D. 600-1200 (Macmillan, London, Melbourne and Toronto), 81-3; Old Irish reading by Dr Diarmait Mac Giolla Chríost, Reader, School of Welsh, Cardiff University. Old Norse Norse was the Scandinavian language of the Vikings. It was still quite similar to English, and these two languages assimilated in the Viking-settled areas of northern and eastern England. There are many place-names of Norse origin around the coasts of Wales. The audio extract is from a Norse skaldic poem by Þorkell hamarskáld celebrating the victory by Magnus Barelegs at the Battle of the Menai Straits (AD1081). In 1081 a combined Welsh and Norwegian force defeated the Normans at the Battle of the Menai Straits. Viking court poet Þorkell hamarskáld celebrates the victory, in particular the role of Norwegian king Magnós berfœttr (Magnus Barelegs). The poem would have been composed and performed orally around or soon after AD1100. Transcription of the audio passage: Dunði broddr á brynju. Bragningr skaut af magni. Sveigði allvaldr Egða Alm. Stọkk blód á hjalma. Strengs fló hagl í hringa, Hné ferð, en lét verða Họrða gramr í harðri Hjarlsókn banat jarli. English translation: Arrow drummed on mail-coat. The chieftain shot forcefully. The mighty ruler of the people of Agder bent his bow. Blood sprayed on helmets. Bowstring-hail flew into ring-mail, the troop fell, and the prince of the people of Hordaland caused the earl to be slain in a hard fight for land. English translation by Judith Jesch. Source: J. Jesch 1996, 'Norse historical traditions and the Historia Gruffudd vab Kenan: Magnós berfœttr and Haraldr hárfagri' in K. Maund, Gruffudd ap Cynan. A Collaborative Biography, 117-47. Old Norse reading by Professor John Hines, Cardiff University. Old English The Anglo-Saxons who settled in England after the end of Roman rule spoke the Germanic language, which gradually diverged from its Continental relatives. The Anglo-Saxon period saw frequent military raids from England into Wales and vice versa. However the long border marked by Offa's Dyke also saw more constructive relationships and shared interests. This example of Old English comes from The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (the Worcester Manuscript. British Library MS Cotton Tiberius Biv, ff. 3-86). A cleric records the consequences of a Viking raid on Wales in AD 915. Transcription of the audio passage: Her on þissum geare wæs Wæringwic getimbrod; ond com mycel sciphere hider ofer suðan of Lioðwicum; ond twegen eorlas mid, Ohtor ond Hroald; ond foron þa west abuton þæt hi gedydon innan Sæfan muðan; ond hergodon on Norð Wealas aeghwær be þam staðum þær hi þonne onhagode; ond gefengon Cameleac bisceop on Iercingafelda; ond læddon hine mid him to scipe; ond þa alysde Eadweard cyning hine eft mid feowertigum pundum. English translation: Here in this year Warwick was built, and a great raiding ship-army came over here from the south, from Brittany, and with them two jarls, Ohtor and Hroald, and then went around west until they got into the mouth of the Severn, and raided Wales everywhere along the banks where it suited them, and took Cameleac, bishop of Archenfield, and led him to ship with them; and then King Edward ransomed him back for forty pounds [of silver]. English translation/source: Michael Swanton 1996, The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (London: Dent, J. M.). Old English reading by Professor John Hines, Cardiff University.
Tudor Guided Walk Sara Huws, 11 March 2010 Having filmed, unwrapped and admired the thurible I mentioned in my last post, it's time now to edit the video! While you wait (with baited breath, I hope), I'd like to share some new pictures with you. The Chancel of St Teilo's Church, as it looks today. Angels, shown playing the Crwth and Harp. Painted by Fleur Kelly. Verdigris pigment, used to make green paint in St Teilo's Church If you feel inspired after seeing those, why not hop over to the events page to book a place on our Tudor Guided Walk. The walk, lasting around an hour, will take place next weekend, the 20th of March. As well as a tour of our Tudor buildings, you'll get a chance to handle replica objects, and explore Tudor smells - good and bad! Places are limited, so booking is essential. I hope to see you there!
