Wales has one of the earliest literary traditions in Northern Europe, stretching back to the days of Aneirin (fl.
550) and Taliesin (second half of the 6th century), and the haunting Stafell Cynddylan, which is the oldest recorded literary work by a woman in northern Europe.
Welsh poetry is connected directly to the bardic tradition, and is historically divided into four periods.
It roughly dates from the emergence of the Welsh language from Common Brittonic in the sixth century to the arrival of the Normans in Wales towards 1100.
More recently, Anglo-Welsh poetry has become an important aspect of Welsh literary culture, as well as influencing English literature.