Possibly the earliest reference of Arthur come from Y Gododdin written by the Welsh poet, Aneirin, c.6th century.
Here, the poem only mentioned his name, once, referring to a warrior in the poem as being brave “but he was no Arthur”.
“He charged before three hundred of the finest,
He cut down both centre and wing,
He excelled in the forefront of the noblest host,
He gave gifts of horses from the herd in winter.
He fed black ravens on the rampart of a fortress
Though he was no Arthur”
He cut down both centre and wing,
He excelled in the forefront of the noblest host,
He gave gifts of horses from the herd in winter.
He fed black ravens on the rampart of a fortress
Though he was no Arthur”
Ref: Y Gododdin
by Aneirin (c. 6th century)
Translated by A.O.H. Jarman
by Aneirin (c. 6th century)
Translated by A.O.H. Jarman
(Gododdin was actually preserved as extant work, in the manuscript called Book of Aneirin, in c.1250)
Other references:
Early 9th Century : “Nennius’ History of the Britons”, says that Arthur was dux bellorum of the Britons at the Battle of Mount Badon.
10th Century : The Cambrian Annals say that Arthur defeated the Saxons at Mount Badon in 516
The earliest tale of Arthur in early Welsh literature come from Culhwch and Olwen (before AD 1100) which is one of eleven tales found in the Mabinogion.
(Posted by Grant)