CELTIC LITERATURE- BODY OF GAELIC WRITINGS

Celtic literature is composed of writings in Gaelic and the languages derived from it. The popular ones among these are Scottish Gaelic and Manx, Welsh and its sister languages, Breton and Cornish.

Gaelic medical manuscript

Irish Gaelic is really popular among the Celtic literature. Mainly four periods are evident in this Gaelic literature. The early literature, which was composed by the professional class and by churchmen. Then came in the medieval period dominated by the lay and hereditary bardic orders; and in the late era of literature that is the time from the 17th century to the end of the 19th century, authorship passed into the hands of individuals most of whom were peasants, that is what most Irish speakers had been reduced to.

In the early period, the writings were mostly aristocratic and written by those who seemed to have inherited the role of learned priestly. However the practice of such priestly functions almost vanished with the rise of Christianity.

The ecclesiastical scholars were not as hostile to the native lore as were their counterparts abroad and they appeared to have an eager commitment to writing. The earliest verse written during this period, both literary and legal have been preserved in passages in the later documents but most have suffered obscure.

A context written in Gaelic

Then comes the medieval era. The 12th century was a period of contradictions. The oldest surviving codices were being written in monasteries, yet the new literary order elaborated verse forms to a far greater extent than before and used a language close to the vernacular of the day. After the 12th century, the bardic families in Irish culture predominated over literature and continued until the collapse of Gallic polity.

Then came in the late period. During this period this literature had almost been reduced to ashes. The dispossession of the Irish and the old Anglo-Irish nobility during the late 16th and early 17th centuries entailed the practical disappearance of the professional bards, who were the nobility’s dependents and propagandists.

The Gaelic literature was revived and it was surprising that the English had a considerable role to bring about this change. Instead of the Irish minority, the Englishmen took the step to revive the literature and this way Gaelic literature was revived.

An advert in Gaelic Journal

Scottish Gaelic literature is also well known among the Celtic literature. The earliest Scottish literature dates to the 12th century. Then there is Welsh literature which has also gained a lot of popularity. Although, at a point of time, these vanished but they have been revived and today these literary pieces are treasured. Hence, Celtic literature has gained a lot of popularity across the world and we also do our level best to preserve this beautiful piece of art.

References:

Williams, J.E. Caerwyn, et al. “Celtic Literature.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Aug. 2013, www.britannica.com/art/Celtic-literature.