Breizh- Brittany- Bretagne ‘Tad-Kozh’. Brittany-Bretagne-Breizh France’s Celtic Enclave.

Breizh- Brittany-Bretagne

‘Tad-Kozh’

Brittany-Bretagne-BreizhBrittany-Bretagne-Breizh

France’s Celtic France’s Celtic

EnclaveEnclave

Breton Breton language- Brezhoneglanguage- Brezhoneg

UnanDaou

TriPevarPemp

C’hwec’hSeizhEizhNavDeg

Map of Brittany-carte de la Map of Brittany-carte de la BretagneBretagne

The ‘dThe ‘déépartements’ of Brittanypartements’ of Brittany

Brittany (Breizh)Brittany (Breizh)

The flag of The flag of Brittany:Brittany:

CarnacCarnac

Prehistoric standing stones in Carnac4500-2000BC

Traditional BrittanyTraditional Brittany

Bigoudenn

The Breton PardonThe Breton Pardon

Breton costumesBreton costumes

The Bro-Vigoudenn (pays The Bro-Vigoudenn (pays Bigoudenn) costumeBigoudenn) costume

Traditional Brittany- the‘pardon’Traditional Brittany- the‘pardon’

St Malo (‘Malouins’)St Malo (‘Malouins’)

Mont St-MichelMont St-Michel

Brezhoneg-The Breton languageBrezhoneg-The Breton language

Breton-speaking Areas

Basse- Bretagne

Gallo-speaking Areas

Haute-Bretagne

Breton language (Brezhoneg)Breton language (Brezhoneg)

An Taol Lagad- television news in BretonAn Taol Lagad- television news in Breton

http://jt.france3.fr/regions/popup.php?id=l35b_localehttp://jt.france3.fr/regions/popup.php?id=l35b_locale

Music in Breton:Music in Breton: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpycKwAb0rM&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpycKwAb0rM&feature=related

Breton dance:Breton dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgWcNwzucaMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgWcNwzucaM

Breton MusicBreton Music

Bombarde and biniouBombarde and biniou

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDwfBx2MzYc&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDwfBx2MzYc&feature=related

BagadBagad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMwInVN56Gg&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMwInVN56Gg&feature=related

Alan StivellAlan Stivell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRpNVMjnDmYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRpNVMjnDmY

Denez PrigentDenez Prigent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TnUodKx6LYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TnUodKx6LY

Brittany Brittany

The inhabitants of The inhabitants of BrittanyBrittany (Breizh-la (Breizh-la Bretagne) are called Bretagne) are called BretonsBretons..

Today the majority speak French.Today the majority speak French. Formally (until approximately c1880) the Formally (until approximately c1880) the

main language was main language was BretonBreton, a Celtic , a Celtic language related to Welsh and Cornish.language related to Welsh and Cornish.

In the Breton language the word for In the Breton language the word for Brittany is Brittany is BreizhBreizh, and the word for the , and the word for the Breton language is Breton language is BrezhonegBrezhoneg..

Ancient BrittanyAncient Brittany

Brittany in Brittany in

the Iron Agethe Iron Age

Ancient BrittanyAncient Brittany

Brittany was called Brittany was called ArmoricaArmorica in the Celtic in the Celtic Iron Age period Iron Age period (c500-50BC)(c500-50BC)..

Armorica

The Veneti (Venetes)

Early Brittany: the Iron AgeEarly Brittany: the Iron Age

Julius Caesar wrote the following about Julius Caesar wrote the following about the the VenetiVeneti tribe of southern Brittany c57- tribe of southern Brittany c57-6BC:6BC:

Now of all the peoples of the coastal part Now of all the peoples of the coastal part of that area, the of that area, the Veneti are by far the Veneti are by far the strongest. They have a great many ships strongest. They have a great many ships and regularly sail to and from Britainand regularly sail to and from Britain. . When it comes to knowledge and When it comes to knowledge and experience of navigation, they leave all the experience of navigation, they leave all the other tribes standing. (BG III, 8).other tribes standing. (BG III, 8).

Early Brittany: the Iron AgeEarly Brittany: the Iron Age The tribal names found in Brittany at this time The tribal names found in Brittany at this time

are all Celtic:are all Celtic: Osismi, Coriosolitae, Riedones, Namnetes, Osismi, Coriosolitae, Riedones, Namnetes,

Veneti.Veneti. Some of these names survive still today as city Some of these names survive still today as city

names: Rennes, Nantes, Vannes (Breton: names: Rennes, Nantes, Vannes (Breton: Roazhon, Naoned, Gwened).Roazhon, Naoned, Gwened).

The Breton Iron Age tribes had a very The Breton Iron Age tribes had a very distinctive art-style which is reflected in their distinctive art-style which is reflected in their coinscoins::

Early Brittany: the Roman Early Brittany: the Roman periodperiod

When Armorica (Brittany) was defeated When Armorica (Brittany) was defeated together with the rest of Gaul (France) together with the rest of Gaul (France) after 52BC, the slow process of after 52BC, the slow process of Romanisation began, but was never really Romanisation began, but was never really complete in this westerly outpost of the complete in this westerly outpost of the Celtic world.Celtic world.

It was an area,which maintained its Celtic It was an area,which maintained its Celtic traditions ans language. Traded with SW traditions ans language. Traded with SW BritainBritain..

Early Brittany: the Roman Early Brittany: the Roman periodperiod

There is every reason to believe that while There is every reason to believe that while towns, and perhaps large rural estates, towns, and perhaps large rural estates, accommodated a mixed population using either accommodated a mixed population using either a debased Latin, or Gaulish or both, the very a debased Latin, or Gaulish or both, the very large rural population still spoke the Celtic large rural population still spoke the Celtic language of Gaul (France), namely language of Gaul (France), namely Gaulish.Gaulish.

(Gaulish=ancient Celtic language of France and (Gaulish=ancient Celtic language of France and other regions, extinct by c400AD).other regions, extinct by c400AD).

Early Brittany:early identitiesEarly Brittany:early identities

During the 3During the 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth centuries AD Armorica centuries AD Armorica (Brittany) like much of Roman Gaul was seized (Brittany) like much of Roman Gaul was seized by civil disturbances and economic chaos.by civil disturbances and economic chaos.(Decline of the Roman Empire).(Decline of the Roman Empire).

In Brittany such upheaval was led periodically by In Brittany such upheaval was led periodically by the the BacaudaeBacaudae who wanted some form of who wanted some form of independence for their western districts. Their independence for their western districts. Their main target being the Roman villas and estates.main target being the Roman villas and estates.

BACAUDAE

Creating ‘Brittany’.Creating ‘Brittany’.

The Migrations from SW BritainThe Migrations from SW Britain

c380-c550c380-c550

Early Brittany: after RomeEarly Brittany: after Rome

The transition from Roman/Celtic Armorica The transition from Roman/Celtic Armorica to to Celtic BrittanyCeltic Brittany was a gradual process was a gradual process which took place between the late fourth which took place between the late fourth and early seventh centuries (c380-c620, and early seventh centuries (c380-c620, but mainly c380-550).but mainly c380-550).

This happened as a result of an important This happened as a result of an important influx of populationinflux of population from Late and post- from Late and post-Roman Britain (other side of the channel).Roman Britain (other side of the channel).

IMMIGRATION TO BRITTANY

Creating BrittanyCreating Brittany

In succeeding centuries these In succeeding centuries these BrittonesBrittones (‘Celtic’ Britons) most likely merged with (‘Celtic’ Britons) most likely merged with the indigenous Armoricans to become the the indigenous Armoricans to become the basis for the basis for the Bretons of the Middle Ages Bretons of the Middle Ages and the Modern periodand the Modern period....

This very important immigration had This very important immigration had profound effects on all aspects of life in the profound effects on all aspects of life in the peninsula.peninsula.

Creating BrittanyCreating Brittany

Probably the most important of these Probably the most important of these effects was effects was linguistic and religiouslinguistic and religious..

The peninsula became divided between The peninsula became divided between those who preserved Brittonic speech (ie those who preserved Brittonic speech (ie the Celtic language of southern Britain) the Celtic language of southern Britain) and those who spoke colloquial Latin and those who spoke colloquial Latin which evolved into early western French which evolved into early western French (gallo...and other varieties of (gallo...and other varieties of langue d’oillangue d’oil))

The Immigration to Brittany from The Immigration to Brittany from BritainBritain

Firstly, from the 3Firstly, from the 3rdrd century AD, Britons and century AD, Britons and Armoricans were classed as Armoricans were classed as Roman citizensRoman citizens..

But why would thousands and thousands of But why would thousands and thousands of Britons have wanted to relocate to Brittany?Britons have wanted to relocate to Brittany?

There is evidence that ‘Celtic’ Britons travelled There is evidence that ‘Celtic’ Britons travelled and settled widely in the Roman Empire, and settled widely in the Roman Empire, especially as members of the Late Roman Army.especially as members of the Late Roman Army.


There is evidence of these Britons in the There is evidence of these Britons in the Rhineland, Dalmatia, as well as Gaul Rhineland, Dalmatia, as well as Gaul (France), between the Somme and the (France), between the Somme and the Loire rivers. As the Roman empire began Loire rivers. As the Roman empire began to collapse, this tendency seems to have to collapse, this tendency seems to have increased.increased.

One result was the creation of a British (ie One result was the creation of a British (ie Celtic British) colony in Celtic British) colony in Galicia, in today’s Galicia, in today’s Spain.Spain.

British Settlements in

Early France

Celtic Britons in GaliciaCeltic Britons in Galicia

The Immigration to Brittany The Immigration to Brittany from Britainfrom Britain

Perhaps more substantial for the view that Perhaps more substantial for the view that the earliest British settlers were Britons the earliest British settlers were Britons who had fought in the Roman army comes who had fought in the Roman army comes from the work of Jordanes who mentions from the work of Jordanes who mentions how in 469-70, how in 469-70, a force under Riothamus (a a force under Riothamus (a Celtic name=supreme king) was fighting Celtic name=supreme king) was fighting for the Emperor Anthemius in the Loire for the Emperor Anthemius in the Loire Valley.Valley.


Even one of the near contemporary Even one of the near contemporary writers, a Briton called Gildas, writing writers, a Briton called Gildas, writing around 540AD, says that after the Anglo-around 540AD, says that after the Anglo-Saxon invasions, Britons Saxon invasions, Britons ‘made for lands ‘made for lands beyond the sea where beneath the beyond the sea where beneath the swelling sails they loudly wailed, singing a swelling sails they loudly wailed, singing a psalm that took the place of a shanty’.psalm that took the place of a shanty’.

The Creation of BrittanyThe Creation of Brittany

Legendary TalesLegendary Tales


Given that there were many cases of British Given that there were many cases of British troop movements to the Continent as defenders troop movements to the Continent as defenders of the Empire.of the Empire.

and even in one case as an army supporting the and even in one case as an army supporting the Imperial pretender Imperial pretender Magnus MaximusMagnus Maximus in 388 in 388

another theory developed (in the middle ages) another theory developed (in the middle ages) that Brittany was initially founded by the that Brittany was initially founded by the remnants of these British armies (under Roman remnants of these British armies (under Roman rule), and especially that of M Maximus’ army.rule), and especially that of M Maximus’ army.

The Legend of Conan MeriadocThe Legend of Conan Meriadoc

The story known both in medieval Brittany The story known both in medieval Brittany and Wales (and found in Geoffrey of and Wales (and found in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Monmouth’s History of the Kings of BritainHistory of the Kings of Britain, , c1136) was that the remnants of this army c1136) was that the remnants of this army were led by were led by Conan MeriadocConan Meriadoc and that they and that they stayed behind in Gaul, took wives and stayed behind in Gaul, took wives and founded a long-lasting dynasty in Brittany.founded a long-lasting dynasty in Brittany.

Conan Meriadoc- the legend.Conan Meriadoc- the legend.

In Geoffrey of Monmouth, Conan is given In Geoffrey of Monmouth, Conan is given Brittany as a reward after helping the Brittany as a reward after helping the emperor of Rome to conquer Gaul.emperor of Rome to conquer Gaul.

From him were descended the later kings From him were descended the later kings of Brittany (the forebears of Arthur).of Brittany (the forebears of Arthur).

Similar stories are told in Similar stories are told in The Dream of The Dream of the Emperor Maxen , the Emperor Maxen , and in a Breton ms and in a Breton ms called the called the Cartulaire de QuimperlCartulaire de Quimperlé.é.

Conan MeriadocConan Meriadoc

Founder figure in the genealogies of Founder figure in the genealogies of several Breton dynasties.several Breton dynasties.

Ancestor of the House of Rohan in Ancestor of the House of Rohan in Medieval Brittany.Medieval Brittany. Alain I of Rohan (1084-1147)Alain I of Rohan (1084-1147) Hercule Meriadoc de RohanHercule Meriadoc de Rohan

Mentioned in Welsh sources (Geoffrey of Mentioned in Welsh sources (Geoffrey of Monmouth, The Dream of Macsen Wledig)Monmouth, The Dream of Macsen Wledig)

The Seven Founder Saints of The Seven Founder Saints of BrittanyBrittany

1.1. St Pol- Aurelian (St Pol-de Leon)St Pol- Aurelian (St Pol-de Leon)

2.2. Saint Tudwal (Treguier-Treger)Saint Tudwal (Treguier-Treger)

3.3. St Brioc (St Brieux)St Brioc (St Brieux)

4.4. St Malo, St Malou (St-Malo)St Malo, St Malou (St-Malo)

5.5. St Samson (Dol-de-Bretagne)St Samson (Dol-de-Bretagne)

6.6. St Patern (Quimper-Kemper)St Patern (Quimper-Kemper)

7.7. St Corentin (Vannes)St Corentin (Vannes)

Christianity in BrittanyChristianity in Brittany

The Introduction of Celtic The Introduction of Celtic Christianity during the Christianity during the

Immigrations c400-700ADImmigrations c400-700AD


Many of the ‘saints’ (the religious leaders Many of the ‘saints’ (the religious leaders commemorated in so many Breton place-commemorated in so many Breton place-names), and assigned a directing role in names), and assigned a directing role in the exodus, were members of princely and the exodus, were members of princely and aristocratic families.aristocratic families.

Many of these religious leaders came from Many of these religious leaders came from South Wales. South Wales.

The Introduction of Christianity The Introduction of Christianity into Brittanyinto Brittany

The early colonyThe early colony

PlouPlou- is a very common place-name - is a very common place-name element in Brittany. 75% are compounded element in Brittany. 75% are compounded with a personal name (always male).with a personal name (always male).

Where they can be traced, the majority Where they can be traced, the majority have an insular origin (come from Britain).have an insular origin (come from Britain).

Two other very common elements are Two other very common elements are locloc and and lanlan, both having an ecclesiastical , both having an ecclesiastical significance.significance.

A new name: ‘Letavia’A new name: ‘Letavia’

Celtic-speakers at an early period used Celtic-speakers at an early period used the form the form letavialetavia to describe the region to to describe the region to which the Britons had gone. This word which the Britons had gone. This word survives to the present day in Modern survives to the present day in Modern Welsh in the form Llydaw.Welsh in the form Llydaw.

An early Welsh text calls the Bretons An early Welsh text calls the Bretons ‘Letewicion’, and the Anglo-Saxon ‘Letewicion’, and the Anglo-Saxon chronicle refers to Brittany as chronicle refers to Brittany as “Lidwiccium’.“Lidwiccium’.

From Letavia to BreizhFrom Letavia to Breizh

Later, the Bretons themselves adopted the Later, the Bretons themselves adopted the form ‘Brittia’ (=little Britain), which form ‘Brittia’ (=little Britain), which developed finally into ‘Breizh’ in modern developed finally into ‘Breizh’ in modern Breton. The Latin form Brittania (minor) Breton. The Latin form Brittania (minor) ultimately gives (la) Bretagne in French, ultimately gives (la) Bretagne in French, and Brittany in English.and Brittany in English.

‘‘Smaller Britain’ is then the meaning of Smaller Britain’ is then the meaning of today’s name for the area.today’s name for the area.

The Breton language The Breton language controversycontroversy

Did Gaulish survive in Armorica, Did Gaulish survive in Armorica, and become the basis for the and become the basis for the

Breton language?Breton language?

Did Gaulish survive in Brittany?Did Gaulish survive in Brittany?

There are four major dialects in Modern There are four major dialects in Modern Breton. (Breton. (Leon, Treger, Kerne, GwenedLeon, Treger, Kerne, Gwened).).

Kenneth Jackson believed that the internal Kenneth Jackson believed that the internal differences between the Breton dialects only differences between the Breton dialects only gradually emerge after the 11gradually emerge after the 11thth century. century.

Another scholar, Canon F. Falc’hun argued Another scholar, Canon F. Falc’hun argued instead that the Breton language preserved instead that the Breton language preserved some elements that went back to Gaulish.some elements that went back to Gaulish.

Did Gaulish survive in BrittanyDid Gaulish survive in Brittany??

He placed particular emphasis on the He placed particular emphasis on the dialect of Vannes (Gwened) as being dialect of Vannes (Gwened) as being ‘closest to Gaulish’, and the least ‘closest to Gaulish’, and the least contaminated by the Celtic-speakers from contaminated by the Celtic-speakers from Britain.Britain.

Although such statements are probably Although such statements are probably improbable, there is a consensus today improbable, there is a consensus today that a that a Gaulish substratum might be Gaulish substratum might be recognisable in the Breton languagerecognisable in the Breton language..


In other words, the Britons coming with In other words, the Britons coming with their Celtic language, came into close their Celtic language, came into close contact with native Armoricans who spoke contact with native Armoricans who spoke a similar (but not identical) language, and a similar (but not identical) language, and that some influence of Gaulish has that some influence of Gaulish has survived in the structure and vocabulary of survived in the structure and vocabulary of today’s Breton.today’s Breton.

Did Gaulish survive that long??Did Gaulish survive that long??


There is evidence for its survival as a spoken There is evidence for its survival as a spoken language after the fall of the Roman Empire in language after the fall of the Roman Empire in regions like the Auvergne (central France), and regions like the Auvergne (central France), and the Alpine regions. The progress of Latin the Alpine regions. The progress of Latin (Romance) must have been slow in the west.(Romance) must have been slow in the west.

This said, This said, it cannot be denied that the language it cannot be denied that the language of Brittany well into the middle ages was very of Brittany well into the middle ages was very similar to that of Cornwall, and to a lesser similar to that of Cornwall, and to a lesser degree that of Walesdegree that of Wales..


Gerald of Wales (late 12Gerald of Wales (late 12thth century) said: century) said: In both Cornwall and Brittany they speak In both Cornwall and Brittany they speak

almost the same language as in Wales. It almost the same language as in Wales. It comes from the same root and is comes from the same root and is intelligible to the Welsh in many instances, intelligible to the Welsh in many instances, and almost in all. It is rougher and less and almost in all. It is rougher and less clearly pronounced, but probably closer to clearly pronounced, but probably closer to the original British speech, or so I think the original British speech, or so I think myself’.myself’.

Anne de BretagneAnne de Bretagne

Breizh- Brittany- Bretagne ‘Tad-Kozh’. Brittany-Bretagne-Breizh France’s Celtic Enclave.

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