Reading Asser in early medieval Wales: The evidence of Armes Prydein Vawr

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This article examines the connections between Asser's <jats:italic>Life of King Alfred</jats:italic> and the tenthcentury Welsh poem <jats:italic>Armes Prydein Vawr</jats:italic>. It studies the use of the place-name <jats:italic>Santwic</jats:italic> ‘Sandwich’ in <jats:italic>Armes Prydein</jats:italic>, and presents evidence that this form derives from a written source. An investigation of the sources containing this place-name before the late tenth century raises the distinct possibility that Asser's <jats:italic>Life</jats:italic> was the source drawn upon by the Welsh poet. Examination of the context in which Sandwich occurs in Asser and <jats:italic>Armes Prydein</jats:italic> highlights striking similarities in usage, strengthening the argument for a connection between the two texts. Further correspondences between these works are noted before discussing the potential implications of this new finding for our understanding of Asser (and his reception) and <jats:italic>Armes Prydein</jats:italic> more generally.</jats:p>