Background Notes: Celtic/Old Welsh Calendar (aka Why It's Always 'Sennights' and Never 'Weeks' in Camelot) (Patreon)

Celtic/Old Welsh Calendar

• The year was divided into a light half and a dark half (with the major focus placed on night)

• The 'day' was seen as beginning at sunset.

• The year begins with Calan Gaeaf / Samhain (the first day of winter in Wales, currently November 1)

• The light half of the year started at Calan Haf / Bealtaine (equivalent of May 1)

• The first day of the month was known as 'calan'.

• Longer periods were reckoned in nights. Fortnight is two weeks. Sennight is one week.

• Laws of Hywel Dda (Cyfraith Hywel - old Medieval Welsh laws) often references periods of nine days (nawfed dydd)