This was an exciting time period, as Wales itself was beginning to take on a separate identity, and the language and culture were starting to develop and flourish. Though my article does not strictly pertain to the Welsh language, I found the topic fascinating and wanted to share the highlights of the lecture. The array of visual artifacts left over from this era provide additional insight into the development of Welsh culture in general, at a time when the language too was taking shape.
When does Wales begin? By looking at art from the pre-medieval and medieval period, we can trace the very development of Wales itself. An important point to keep in mind, however, is that not nearly as many objects remain from the medieval and pre-medieval time as from later historical periods. Much of what would have been carved in wood has decayed and disappeared (or was destroyed), so we must extrapolate by looking at the more enduring stone artifacts.
One very early example is the Cantusus stone, originally a Roman marble stone found in South Wales, dating from around 310 A.D. (the late Roman Empire). It was re-used in the 6th century as a memorial to a man, Cantusus; the important part of this is that Cantusus was a Christian, and it was about this time that Christianity was developing in Wales. In fact, the simultaneous emergence of Wales AND its Christianity informs the entire dialogue about early Welsh visual culture--most of these objects show early evidence of Christianity.
Source: Lichfield Cathedral
The most significant survivals from this period are manuscripts. Depicted here are the Gospels of St. Chad, an 8th-century illuminated manuscript in a style similar to the Book of Kells. The Gospels of St. Chad were created later than that, but prior to the Lindisfarne Gospels. What's important about them is that we know they were created in Wales--some of the earliest surviving writings in Welsh are notes in the margins of this manuscript. Another surviving manuscript from this period, the Hereford Gospels, was also most likely produced in a Welsh scriptorium.
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