by Sean Poage
Cair As in “Cair Guricon”. It signified a fortified settlement or stronghold, usually implying stone walls.
Calandmei A holiday celebrating the first day of summer, translated as “First Day of May”.
Chi-Rho An early Christian symbol, it is formed from the first two letters of the Greek word Christos and looks like a ‘P’ superimposed over an ‘X’.
Civitas A Roman community administrative unit or territory, often based on tribal regions.
Combrogi A reconstructed Brittonic word for “fellow-countrymen”. At this time, it would apply to the tribe, rather than any sort of nation. It eventually becomes the Welsh “Cymry”.
Comes The Latin word for “companion”, it was a title of high political or military rank. It would eventually become “Count”. Originally a higher rank than Dux, the Late Roman Empire would use both titles more flexibly.
Coriios The reconstructed Brittonic term for a warband.
Datlā The reconstructed Brittonic word for an assembly, meeting, council, court, etc.
Din As in “Din Tagell”, this signified a fortified settlement or stronghold, usually implying a ditch and wooden palisade construction.
Dux Latin for “Leader”, it was a title of high political or military rank. It would eventually become “Duke”. “Dux Bellorum”, an early title attributed to Arthur, meant “Leader of Battle” and might have been the equivalent of “General” in his time.
Ides As in “the Ides of Februarius”. Generally, the middle of every month in the Roman calendar.
Kalends As in “the Kalends of November”. The first day of every month in the Roman calendar.
Latrones A two-player strategy board game in the vein of chess or checkers, common throughout the Roman Empire.
Rigotamos The reconstructed Brittonic term meaning “king-most”, “highest king”, etc. The Latinised version of the term is “Riothamus”. Some believe it is a personal name of a specific historically attested person. Others believe it is a title by which a particular person became known, such as in the case of Temüjin, who would later come to be known only as Genghis Khan (Supreme Ruler).
Turma Latin for “swarm” (plural turmae), this was a cavalry squadron in the later Roman army.
Vallum An earthen rampart, often topped by a wooden palisade.
The Cast of Characters
Here is a bit of an explanation on the characters I used for this story. Most people are familiar with the Arthurian characters and stories from the much later “Romances”, such as Mallory’s Le Morte d’Arthur, which was published in 1485. These are what movies, such as Boorman’s 1981 classic, Excalibur, are based on. However, these have little, if anything, to do with any historical Arthur.
For my story, I wanted to go back to the much earlier legends and build from there. On my website at seanpoage.com I will list links and more details, but for the most part, my characters have been taken from the much older stories in The Mabinogion, such as Culhwch and Olwen and The Dream of Rhonabwy, as well as The Triads of the Island of Britain.
In some cases, such as Gawain, I have used the later names because, while Welsh is a beautiful language, it is very foreign to English speakers, and the original names would not have evoked Arthurian images in most people.
Another detail of my approach is that the characters are not always related, as they often are in later legends, usually with many contradictions. I suspect that it was a result of later medieval sensibilities that wanted to tie major historical and legendary people together that resulted in so many Arthurian characters being related.
Adeon A member of Gawain’s turma.
Aergol Lawhir King of Demetia. Historically referred to by Gildas as a “Good King”. Father of Vortipor.
Aegidius The Magister Militum of the Western Roman Empire. He attempted to maintain a semblance of Roman rule in northern Gaul when the region was cut-off from the rest of the Roman Empire by the encroachment of Germanic kingdoms to the south. An opponent of Ricimer, he died mysteriously and was succeeded by his less-capable son, Syagrius.
Aergyn Faen Known in the later Romances as Agravain, he is a brother of Gawain and half-brother of Mordred, joining Mordred in the rebellion against Arthur. In this story, he is Modred’s older brother, assigned as a staff officer to Gwynn. His epithet means “The Rock”.
Ambrosius Aurelianus A historically attested person referred to by Gildas as a “gentleman” and among the last of the “Romans”. He is said to have led the first successful campaigns against the invading Anglo-Saxons and was in opposition to Vortigern. He does not appear to have adopted any form of kingship or the form of leadership undertaken by Vortigern or Arthur.
Ajax His true name is Tegid. A member of Gawain’s combrogi from a neighbouring village, he earned his nickname due to his immense size and strength. This was to show the familiarity of the locals with at least some classical culture, as stories like The Iliad would have been widely known and popular.
Amren Son of Bedwyr and a junior member of Arthur’s guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is one of Arthur’s four chamberlains who guard Arthur’s bed and attend him in the mornings.
Anthemius Western Roman Emperor from 467 to his death in 472, he is considered the last of the effective emperors and might have reversed the fortunes of the Western Empire if not continually thwarted and then killed by his Magister Militum, Ricimer. Anthemius arranged the alliance with Riothamus that this story is built upon.
Arbogast Comes of Treveris, he ruled a small Roman rump state under much the same circumstances as Syagrius with the help of remaining Roman troops and Frankish foederati. Arbogast was well-educated, and Sidonius praises him as one of the last defenders of the collapsing Western Roman Empire and Roman culture.
Arthur Arthur is well-known, though generally more so from the Romances than from the earlier legends or the historical possibilities. This series hopes to change that.
Arvandus Praetorian Prefect of Gaul, he treasonously encouraged Euric to cast aside the treaty with Rome and attack Roman lands, including the Britons north of the Loire, suggesting Gaul should be divided between the Visigoths and the Burgundians. He was tried and convicted, but the efforts of Sidonius and other friends saved him from death and he was exiled.
Atfodla A member of Gawain’s turma, from the Gododdin.
Bachlach Scoti warrior of Meirchion Gul’s retinue. He sets the stage for my imagining of how the Gawain and the Green Knight story could have developed from a challenge.
Beatha Gawain’s sister, married to a minor warlord to the south of Alt Clut.
Bedwyr One of Arthur’s leading warriors, his second closest friend and leader of one of his three legions. Known to most as “Sir Bedivere”, the knight who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake in Le Morte d’Arthur, he is one of the characters linked closely to Arthur from the earliest legends and may have been a historical person.
Bonitus A Gaulish farmer from near Dolens. I used his character to incorporate the historical letter from Sidonius to Riothamus. I also used the incident to include elements of a romance legend known as The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle.
Brychan King of Brycheiniog, he was born in Ireland before his parents emigrated to Britain. He married the heiress to the small kingdom and changed its name to his own.
Cador Son of Gerren “The Fleet Owner”, King of Dumnein, father of Constantine. He took the throne on the death of his father in battle against the Saxons and was a close ally and friend of Arthur.
Cadwal Cadwaladr; line leader in Gawain’s turma, he is from the Gododdin.
Cadwallon ap Einion; King of Gwynedd. He was called “Lawhir”, or “Long Hand”. His grandfather, Cunedda Wledig, is said to have brought his warband from the lands of the Gododdin to north-west Wales to expel the Irish who were colonising the region.
Calpornus The magistrate of Cair Cerin. The status of various cities and realms is ambiguous in the 5th century. It appears that some developed
into kingdoms, while others retained their Roman-styled civil leadership until later.
Carnedaur ap Gofynion Hen; Leader of Drustan’s Second Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as a member of Arthur’s court.
Caw A minor warlord within Alt Clut, he is descended from the Picts that used to inhabit the region before the Britons pushed them further north. He is the father of many children, including Hueil , Etmic, Cwyllog and St. Gildas.
Cei One of Arthur’s leading warriors, his oldest friend and leader of one of his three legions. Known to most as “Sir Kay”, Arthur’s foster brother in Le Morte d’Arthur, he is one of the characters linked closely to Arthur from the earliest legends and may have been a historical person.
Censurius Bishop of Autissodoro (later sainted); He studied under St. Germanus, who was famous for his visits to Britain in the early 5th century to combat Pelagianism. Illtud is said to have studied under Germanus, but the timing seems off, so I have made him the student of a student of Germanus.
Cethtrwm One of the priests who accompany Arthur to Gaul. Mentioned in Culhwch and Olwen.
Childeric Son of the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty of Salian Franks, he allied with Aegidius, and later with Aegidius’s son, Syagrius, against the Visigoths. His son, Clovis, chose to attack Syagrius and put an end to the Roman rump state.
Congar One of the monks at Arthur’s hall, a nephew of Cador. He is later known as St. Congar.
Constantine Prince of Dumnein, son of Cador. He is historically attested as one of the five “tyrants” excoriated by Gildas.
Cors A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Hundred-Claws”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Cradawc ap Iaen; a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, said to be Arthur’s kin from Caer Dathal, through Uthur, suggesting Arthur’s origins may have been somewhat north of what is recorded in later legends.
Cwyllog Daughter of Caw. Early legends have her marrying Medraut (Modred).
Cyndelic “Kyuarwyd”; Arthur’s chief scout. In Culhwch and Olwen, Arthur calls him “as good a guide in lands he had never seen as he was in his own country.”
Cynwyl Leader of Drustan’s First Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen he is listed as one of the survivors of Camlan, said to be “the last who parted from Arthur on Hengroen his horse.”
Cynyr The father of Cei, he is a minor warlord and close ally of Arthur. In the later Romances, he is known as Sir Ector.
Cunbelin Son of Dyfnwal Hen, leader of the Alt Clut contingent, later member of Gwynn’s staff.
Dalldav ap Kimin Côv; a member of Arthur’s household guard, he becomes the leader of the guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is identified as one of the three peers of Arthur’s court.
Defon A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is identified as “the ninth man that rallied the battle of Camlan.”
Deiniol A member of Gawain’s turma.
Dochu One of Gwyar’s elder councillors, father of Teilo.
Drem One of Arthur’s gatekeepers. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be able to see a gnat flying on the other side of Britain.
Drustan One of Arthur’s leading young warriors, and leader of one of his three legions. Possibly a historical person, he is known in later legends as Tristan, such as in the tragic story of Tristan and Iseult.
Dyfnwal Hen Dyfnwal “The Old”; a likely historical person, king of the early realm of Alt Clut and the son of Ceretic (the Coroticus of St. Patrick’s Confessio).
Dywel ap Erbin; one of Arthur’s councillors. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as the cousin of Cador through Gerren.
Echel A member of Arthur’s household guard. Epithet “Mighty Thigh”, in Culhwch and Olwen.
Eidyol ap Ner; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Eldadus Bishop of Cair Gloui, later sainted. He was a strong ally of Ambrosius Aurelianus in the war against the Saxons.
Eliman One of Gwyar’s elder councillors, father of Mabon.
Etmic Son of Caw, junior officer and peer of Gawain.
Eudaf An older warrior of Gawain’s combrogi, he is a famed veteran of Arthur’s Battle of the Celidon Wood.
Euric A Visigoth king. He became king after murdering his brother in 466 and ruled until his death in 484.
Fidach A member of Gawain’s turma, from the Gododdin.
Gallcoyt Govynynat One of Arthur’s captains who is given command of the infantry during the retreat from Dolens.
Gareth First appearing in Le Morte d’Arthur as a brother of Gawain, Gareth does not fit into the time frame of characters that I intended to use, but I decided to use his name to evoke an Arthurian atmosphere. Rather than being an actual brother, he is Gawain’s closest friend. He was raised by his mother and uncle, Rhufawn, after his father died.
Garmonion Son of Dyfnwal Hen, leader of the Alt Clut contingent, later member of Gwynn’s staff.
Gawain In later legends he is known as Gawain, son of King Lot and Morgause (Morgen), Arthur’s sister. I used a bit of a hybrid approach. The earliest references to Gawain are under the name Gwalchmai ap Gwyar, and I patterned Gawain on those earlier references, where he is considered one of Arthur’s greatest knights, a formidable warrior, educated, courteous, compassionate, loyal, a mentor to young warriors and a defender of the poor and of women.
Gladus The wife of Gwalhafed, mother of Tarran, Anna, and Torri.
Gliguis King of the region that would become known as Glywysing, from a later version of his name, Glywys. Centred on his capital at Cair Teim, the kingdoms of this area seem to have had fluid borders early on, probably due to warfare.
Glyf Veteran soldier of Cadubrega, and Gawain’s friend.
Greidawl Leader of Cei’s First Cavalry Ala. Known as Greidawl Galldonyd in Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.
Gobrwy Cei’s chief of staff; one of Arthur’s advisors from Culhwch and Olwen.
Got Member of Gawain’s cavalry troop.
Guin Godybrion Bedwyr’s chief of staff. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is said to be a sage and a warrior.
Gundgomar Burgundian lord of the town and vale of Avalon. In one of the earliest of the Romances, Erec and Enide by Chrétien de Troyes, the lord of Avalon is Guinguemar, a love of Morgen. I have adapted his name to something closer to Burgundian names of the time for this story.
Gwadyn A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he has the ability to emit flames from the soles of his feet, possibly an allusion to his running speed.
Gwalhafed Brother of Gawain, he appears only as a mention in Culhwch and Olwen, as a Gwalhafed ap Gwyar. For this story, he might be vaguely equated with Gaheris, a brother of Gawain, who first appears in Le Morte d’Arthur.
Gwenhwyfar Known in later times as Guinevere, she is the wife of Arthur. Early legends suggest she might have been his second, or even third, wife. As “Lancelot” was a much later character from the Romances, the early legends do not involve a war and Arthur’s death resulting from her infidelity with the fictional knight.
Gwenwyn Arthur’s fleet captain. In the early legends, he is recorded as one of the “Three Seafarers of the Island of Britain” with the longer name. Gwenwynwyn.
Gwevyl Son of Gwestad, he is a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, Gwevyl is said to be able to let his lower lip drop below his waist and turn up the other like a cap upon his head. Hyperbole was common in heroic poetry.
Gwittart Son of Oedd, an Irish chieftain, he is a member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, Oedd is described as King of Ireland. Fostering of young warriors in the warbands of other warlords was common in this era. A famous warlord, like Arthur, would draw warriors from far away.
Gwrdinal ap Ebrei; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Gwrhyr Arthur’s chief interpreter. In Culhwch and Olwen it is said that, to him, all tongues were known.
Gwyar Gawain’s father in my story. Gwyar means “Bloodshed” or “
Gore”. Some believe it is a matronymic, which was sometimes used in Briton. I believe that is due to attempts to reconcile later legends making Gawain and Arthur related, so I decided to interpret the name as belonging to a warrior, which seems more appropriate. As other legends suggest that Gawain’s mother was named Anna, I have chosen that name for Gwyar’s deceased wife. His father, Gartnait, was in line for the throne of the Gododdin before dying under suspicious circumstances.
Gwyddawg ap Menestyr; he is the leader of Cei’s personal guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, it is said he slew Cei, and was slain by Arthur, together with his brothers, to revenge Cei. This early reference to Cei’s death does not explain how or why Cei was killed by a member of Arthur’s own court. This story assumes the passage of time causes some details to be lost, and it is remembered vaguely that Arthur killed Gwyddawg.
Gwydion A member of Gawain’s turma.
Gwythyr A veteran member of Arthur’s household guard.
Gwynn ap Ermid; leader of Arthur’s third legion after Drustan was mortally wounded at Namnetis. In Culhwch and Olwen he is listed as the cousin of Cador through Gerren.
Hasdi A trader from Arados (Arwad, Syria), part of his character’s role is to demonstrate how, for a time in the Arthurian era, trade links were re-established with the Eastern Roman Empire, and to provide historical background to the narrative.
Henwyneb Leader of Arthur’s personal guard. In Culhwch and Olwen he is called “Old Face” and is identified as a companion of Arthur.
Hirerwm A member of Arthur’s household guard. In Culhwch and Olwen, he and his brother are distinguished by their ravenous appetites.
Hoel ap Budig; King of Comberos following his father’s death. Arthur’s close friend and ally.
Hunabwy ap Gwryon; a member of Arthur’s household guard.
Hyfaidd Unllen “One-Cloak”; he is leader of Cei’s Second Cavalry Ala. In Culhwch and Olwen, he is listed as one of Arthur’s advisors.