Bangor scholars contribute to The Cambridge History of Welsh Literature

An extensive new volume on the literature of Wales, from its origins to the present day, features contributions from numerous Bangor University experts and will be officially launched at the Hay Festival on 24 May.

The Cambridge History of Welsh Literature (Cambridge University Press, 2019) is described by the publisher as being the “biggest history of Welsh literature ever published” and is a chronological guide to fifteen centuries of Welsh literature and Welsh writing in English.

The literature of Wales is one of the oldest continuous literary traditions in Europe – and one of its most fascinating. The earliest surviving poetry was forged in the battlefields of post-Roman Wales and the 'Old North' of Britain, and the Welsh-language poets of today still write within the same poetic tradition.

Expertise from Bangor University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Business features prominently in the new volume, with articles by Professor Angharad Price of the School of Welsh and Celtic Studies; Dr Euryn Roberts, Dr Mari Wiliam and Seán Martin of the School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences; and Dr Andy Webb of the School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. Topics range from 7^th Century Britain; portrayals of nationhood in post-war Wales; to the ‘culturally bilingual’ works of R.S Thomas and Emyr Humphreys.

Looking ahead to the launch of the new publication on 24 May, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Business at Bangor University, Professor Andrew Edwards, said: ‘It’s great to see so many Bangor colleagues contributing to this prestigious and important volume. I think it highlights the depth and breadth of the expertise that we are very fortunate to have here in the field of Welsh literature and history. I’m sure the volume will be well received by a wide readership.’

Publication date: 23 May 2019