The Mabinogion (Oxford World's Classics)

by Sioned Davies

  Enid: this is the first time she is mentioned by name. Enid (French Enide) may derive from Bro Wened, the Breton name for Vannes (see note to p. 141 on Geraint). Indeed, it has been suggested that this tale is based ultimately on a sovereignty theme, whereby Erec, the founder of the Breton kingdom of Bro Weroc, mated with Enide, the goddess of the land. The tale was then transferred to the south-west of Britain, where the local hero Geraint replaced Erec, but Enid(e) remained unchanged. See TYP, pp. 349–50.

  Gwalchmai son of Gwyar … court steward to Arthur—: many of the names occur in the lists found in ‘How Culhwch Won Olwen’ (pp. 184–9) and ‘Rhonabwy’s Dream’ (p. 225). For Gwalchmai, see note to p. 66. The next four names form a distinct group, being the sons of rulers: Rhiogonedd son of the king of Ireland, Ondiaw son of the duke of Burgundy, Gwilym (i.e. ‘William’) son of the king of France, and Hywel son of the king of Brittany. Elifri, ‘Abundance of Skills’, may be identified with the chief squire mentioned earlier (p. 140); for Gorau, see note to p. 202; Gwair ‘of Great Valour’ is mentioned in the triads as one of the Three Enemy-Subduers (TYP 19), as well as one of the Three Stubborn Ones (TYP 72)—he may be equated with Gwair son of Gwystyl who appears in ‘Peredur son of Efrog’ (p. 65) and ‘Rhonabwy’s Dream’ (p. 225). Peredur is the hero of ‘Peredur son of Efrog’ (see note to p. 65); as for Gwyn Llogell Gwŷr, the epithet is obscure—for the duties of a court judge or justice, see LHDd 16–19. Gwrei Gwalstawd Ieithoedd may be identified with ‘Gwrhyr Interpreter of Languages’ in ‘How Culhwch Won Olwen’, p. 188. For Bedwyr and Cai, see notes on p. 263 and to p. 68); Odiar the Frank was mentioned earlier in the tale (see note to p. 139). For a further discussion of these names, see Robert L. Thomson (ed.), Ystorya Gereint Uab Erbin (Dublin, 1997), 99–100.

  sad and sorrowful: a combination of two words which are to all intents synonymous and very often bound together by alliteration is a feature of most tales in the Mabinogion corpus. Where possible the alliteration has been preserved in the translation.

  the Dun Earl: Welsh dwn means ‘dark brown’; this probably refers to the colour of his armour; compare, for example, the Black Knight in ‘The Lady of the Well’ (see p. 123).

  The French and the English … Y Brenin Bychan: an interesting reference to the bilingual context—his name in Anglo-Norman is Gwiffret Petit (Little Gwiffret), corresponding to Chrétien’s Guivret le petit, while his name in Welsh is Y Brenin Bychan (‘The Little King’).

  a newly wedded woman in her riding clothes, shrieking: the Welsh morwynwreic (literally someone who is both a virgin and a wife) refers to someone whose marriage has not yet been consummated.

  Earl Limwris: this seems to be a foreign name, with the initial L- rather than the Welsh Ll-. Limors occurs in Chrétien’s poem, but as the name of a castle rather than an earl.

  And on every stake … except for two stakes: the severed heads are not explained, although it could be assumed that they are the heads of knights who have been unsuccessful at the game. For the cult of the head, compare Bendigeidfran, p. 32.

  HOW CULHWCH WON OLWEN

  Because of the numerous characters listed in this tale, together with the many international motifs, notes have been supplied only on the most significant features. Some additional information is provided in the Indexes of Personal and Place-Names, while further details and references can be found in Rachel Bromwich and D. Simon Evans (eds.), Culhwch and Olwen: An Edition and Study of the Oldest Arthurian Tale (Cardiff, 1992) (CaO).

  Cilydd son of Celyddon Wledig: Cilydd, meaning ‘companion’, may be one of a group of names in this tale which stems from the Gododdin poem. Celyddon corresponds to Caledonia, an area covering the south-west of Scotland. The title (G)wledig, meaning ‘lord’, is given to several characters, including Maxen in ‘The Dream of the Emperor Maxen’ (see p. 103).

  and was named Culhwch … pig-run: an attempt to explain how Culhwch received his name: hwch means ‘pig’ and cul means ‘sty, run’. However, since cul in this sense is not attested until the fourteenth century, the older meaning of ‘slender, lean’ should be read here. Culhwch may have associations with the Celtic swine-god Moccus: (see Patrick K. Ford (trans.), The Mabinogi (Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London, 1977).

  foster-parents: see note to p. 16.

  Olwen daughter of Ysbaddaden Bencawr: her name, meaning ‘white track’, is ‘explained’ later in the story (see p. 192). Ysbaddad is the Welsh name for ‘hawthorn’ or ‘thorn bush’, while Pencawr means ‘Chief Giant’. There are no references to Olwen or her father outside this story. Here, the international theme of the jealous stepmother provides the catalyst for the ensuing events, interwoven with the theme of the Giant’s Daughter or Six Go Through the World (a reference to the six magic helpers that come to the hero’s aid).

  to have your hair trimmed: the cutting of the hair was a symbolic act by means of which a blood-relationship was recognized and accepted. See below, p. 183, where Arthur, upon combing Culhwch’s hair, recognizes him as a kinsman.

  as your gift: Culhwch is entitled to a gift (Welsh cyfarws) from his lord as he is accepted formally into the family.

  The boy went off … to the gate of Arthur’s court: in the Mabinogion characters’ physical attributes are usually described by means of traditional formulae. However, in this tale the descriptions of both Culhwch (and his horse) and Olwen are elaborate and rhetorical, lending themselves to a vocalized peformance. The description of Culhwch’s gorwydd (‘steed’) follows the rhythmical pattern employed consistently when describing horses in the native tales (see note to p. 95), reflecting the movement of the animal itself. The four clods of earth thrown up by Culhwch’s steed are paralleled by the four white clovers that grow in Olwen’s track (p. 192). There may well be a play on words here, for the clods are compared to swallows, Welsh gwennol, where the elements of Olwen’s name are transposed. Moreover, gwennol is also the name for the ‘frog’, i.e. the soft part in the middle of the horse’s hoof, which may well have been the inspiration behind the author’s comparison in the first place.

  Pen Pengwaedd in Cornwall … Dinsol in the North … Esgair Oerfel in Ireland: Pen Pengwaedd can be identified with Penwith Point, near Land’s End; compare the reference in the White Book version of ‘The Names of the Island of Britain’, which claims that the length of this island, from the promontory of Blathaon in Pictland to the promontory of Penrhyn Penwaedd in Cornwall, is 900 miles (TYP, p. 247). See also the note to p. 108 on The Island of Britain. Dinsol is probably Denzell, in the parish of Padstow in Cornwall, a name that has for some reason taken the place of a location in the North of Britain, although the reference to North remains—if Culhwch’s shout is to have any effect, it makes sense for it to be heard in places as far away from each other as possible. Esgair Oerfel, the ‘Ridge of Coldness’, seems to have been a place on the east coast of Ireland, visible from the sea. For ‘The Irish Geography of Culhwch and Olwen’, see P. Sims-Williams in Liam Bretnach et al. (eds.), Celtic Studies in Honour of Professor James Carney (Maynooth, 1988).

  Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr: ‘Glewlwyd Mighty Grasp’; see note to p. 116.

  I was once in Caer Se … this very moment: this bombastic speech, listing exotic, faraway places, many unknown and probably invented, is characterized by repetition, alliteration, and rhyming pairs, reminiscent of metrical verse in the Black Book of Carmarthen. In the translation an attempt has been made to transmit the rhythm and essence of the oral performance visually to the printed page by dividing the prose into short lines. Caer Oeth and Anoeth is mentioned in the triads as a place where Arthur was imprisoned for three nights (TYP 52). For further references, see CaO 58–60.

  By the hand of my friend: see note on Cai (p. 68). This particular oath is restricted to Cai, perhaps on account of his closest companion, Bedwyr, having lost his hand (see p. 189).

  the privileges of a prince, heir-apparent to the kingdom: both manuscripts offer a gloss on the archaic term gwrthrychiad (‘heir-apparent’): the White Book
gives the legal term edling (from Old English aethling), while the Red Book gives the more general term teyrn (‘prince’).

  except my ship … Gwenhwyfar my wife: the name of Arthur’s ship is Prydwen (see p. 225); his mantle, according to ‘Rhonabwy’s Dream’, is Gwen (p. 220), one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain (TYP 258–65), which renders its wearer invisible. Caledfwlch (‘Breach of Battle’) is Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Caliburnus, from which English Excalibur is derived. It is unclear whether these, together with Rhongomyniad (‘Striking-Spear’), Wynebgwrthucher (‘Evening-Face’), and Carnwennan (‘Little White Haft’), take precedence over his wife Gwenhwyfar (see note to p. 68).

  and combed his hair: see note to p. 180. As soon as he starts combing Culhwch’s hair, Arthur realizes that they are blood-relatives. Compare the description in the History of the Britons where Guorthegirn offers to shear a young boy’s head and comb his hair, only to be exposed as the boy’s father and grandfather—Guorthegirn committed incest with his own daughter. In this tale, however, the significance of the ritual has not been understood, as Arthur agrees to Culhwch’s request before realizing that they are related.

  He invoked his gift: there follows an extremely long list of Arthur’s companions (about 260 names in all), who are summoned by Culhwch as guarantors of the gift which he is demanding of Arthur. The list exists within a frame, where the opening words are repeated in the closing lines (p. 189). Sections may have been taken from pre-existing lists; for example, an earlier, and much shorter, catalogue of names appears in the Black Book of Carmarthen poem ‘What Man is the Gatekeeper?’ (see Sims-Williams, ‘The Early Welsh Arthurian Poems’, in AOW 38–46). One can also surmise that new names were added to the list at every stage up to the writing of the surviving manuscripts, in order to bring as many characters as possible under the umbrella of the Arthurian court. In this passage, with its patronyms and epithets, alliteration and rhyme predominate, and a beat or pulse emerges when the catalogue is read out loud, so facilitating the mnemonic process. Some characters are merely named, while others carry epithets that conjure up tantalizing images; the attributes of other characters are described in concrete terms. Those belonging to this last group, such as Ear son of Hearer and Track son of Tracker, were probably invented solely for the purpose of this tale—they conform to the stereotyped magical helpers that are an integral part of this tale-type (see note to p. 180). The list should be read as a single entity, as should the second list on pp. 195–200, where Ysbaddaden describes forty tasks which Culhwch must accomplish if he is to win Olwen. However, to facilitate reading the passage has been subdivided into sections. The proper names in the translation itself appear in Welsh, but an alternative version is given below, where the epithets have been translated wherever possible, as have proper names that are clearly based on a play on words. Where a pun is not evident, the meaning of the name is noted. Further information on some of the names follows each section of the list below (for a detailed discussion of this Court List, and for more references to the individual characters, see CaO, pp. xxxiv–xlvi, and 67–110).

  ‘Cai, and Bedwyr,1 and Greidol Gallddofydd, and Gwythyr son of Greidol, and Graid son of Eri, and Cynddylig the Guide, and Tathal of Manifest Treachery, and Maelwys son of Baeddan, and Cnychwr son of Nes, and Cubert son of Daere, and Ffercos son of Poch, and Lluber Beuthach, and Corfil Berfach,2 and Gwyn son of Esni, and Gwyn son of Nwyfre, and Gwyn son of Nudd, and Edern son of Nudd,3 and Cadwy son of Geraint, and the ruler Fflewddwr Flame,4 and Rhuawn the Radiant son of Dorath, and Bradwen son of Moren Mynog, and Moren Mynog himself, and Dalldaf son of Cimin Cof, and the son of Alun Dyfed, and the son of Saidi, and the son of Gwryon, and Uchdryd Battle-Sustainer, and Cynwas Pointed-Staff, and Gwrhyr Fat-Cattle, and Isberyr Cat-Claw, and Gallgoid the Killer, and Black and Stab and Strength, sons of Gwawrddydd the Hunchback (from the uplands of hell did those men come), and Cilydd Hundred-Holds, and Hundred-Holds Hundred-Hands, and Cors Hundred-Claws, and Esgair Gulhwch Gofyncawn, and Drwst Iron-Fist, and Glewlwyd Mighty-Grasp, and Lloch of the Striking Hand, and Anwas the Winged, and Sinnoch son of Seventh, and Wadu son of Seventh, and Nine son of Seventh, and Gwenwynwyn son of Nine son of Seventh, and Bedyw son of Seventh, and Gobrwy son of Echel Mighty-Thigh, and Echel Mighty-Thigh himself, and Mael son of Roycol, and Dadwair Blind-Head, and Garwyli son of Gwythog Gwyr, and Gwythog Gwyr himself, and Gormant son of Rica, and Menw son of Three Cries, and Enough son of Surfeit, and Selyf son of Sinoid, and Gusg son of Achen, and Strength son of Might, and Drudwas son of Tryffin, and Twrch son of Perif, and Twrch son of Anwas,5 and Iona, king of France, and Sel son of Selgi, and Teregud son of Iaen, and Sulien son of Iaen, and Bradwen son of Iaen, and Moren son of Iaen, and Siawn son of Iaen, and Caradog son of Iaen—they were men of Caer Dathyl, Arthur’s family on his father’s side. Contempt son of Caw, and Iustig son of Caw, and Fame son of Caw, and Angawdd son of Caw, and Gofan son of Caw, and Celyn son of Caw, [185] and Stalk son of Caw, and Mabsant son of Caw, and Gwyngad son of Caw, and Path son of Caw, and Red son of Caw, and Meilyg son of Caw, and Cynwal son of Caw, and Sustainer son of Caw, and Ergyriad son of Caw, and Someone son of Caw, and Gildas son of Caw, and Calcas son of Caw, and Huail son of Caw … and Samson Dry-Lip,6 and Taliesin Chief of Bards, and Manawydan son of Llŷr, and Llary son of Casnar Wledig, and Sberin son of Fflergant, king of Brittany,7 and Saranhon son of Glythfyr, and Llawr son of Erw, and Anynnog son of Menw Three-Cries, and Gwyn son of Nwyfre, and Flame son of Nwyfre, and Geraint son of Erbin,8 and Ermid son of Erbin, and Dywel son of Erbin, and Gwyn son of Ermid, and Cyndrwyn son of Ermid, and Hyfaidd One-Mantle, and Eiddon the Magnanimous, and Rheiddwn Arwy, and Gormant son of Rica … And Llawnrodded the Bearded, and Nodawl Cut-Beard, and Berth son of Cado, and Rheiddwn son of Beli, and Isgofan the Generous, and Ysgawyn son of Banon, and Morfran son of Tegid …9 And Sandde Angel Face … And Cynwyl the Saint, one of the Three Who Escaped from Camlan;10 he was the last to part from Arthur, on Old Skin his horse.’

  ‘And Uchdryd son of Erim, and Eus son of Erim, and Old Servant the Winged son of Erim, and Old Walker son of Erim, and Sgilti Light-foot son of Erim …

  ‘Teithi the Old son of Gwynnan, whose kingdom the sea overran1 … [186] And Carnedyr son of Gofynion the Old, and Gwenwynwyn son of Naf … and Red-Eyed Stallion, and Gwrfoddw the Old … Culfanawyd son of Goryon, and Llenlleog the Irishman from the headland of Gamon2 and Dyfnwal the Bald3 and Dunarth, king of the North, Teyrnon Roar of the Flood-tide, and Tegfan the Lame, and Tegyr Talgellog. Gwrddywal son of Efrei, and Morgant the Generous, Hostage son of Nwython, and Rhun son of Nwython, and Llwydeu son of Nwython, and Gwydre son of Llwydeu by Gwenabwy daughter of Caw, his mother …’

  ‘Sight son of Seer, who from Celli Wig in Cornwall1 could see a fly rise in the morning with the sun as far away as Pen Blathaon in Pictland2. And Eidoel son of Ner and Glwyddyn the Craftsman who built Ehangwen, Arthur’s hall.3 Cynyr Fair Beard—Cai was said to be his son …’

  ‘Old Servant, and Old Face, and Old Friend, Gallgoig another … Berwyn son of Cyrenyr, and Peris, king of France … Osla Big Knife who would carry Breast-Blade Short Broad … Gwyddog son of Cupbearer … Long Shank son of Cai, and Amren son of Bedwyr, and Eli, and Myr, and Rheu Rhwyddyrys, and Rhun Rhuddwern, and Eli, and Trachmyr, Arthur’s chief huntsmen [187] And Llwydeu son of Cilcoed, and Huabwy son of Gwryon, and Gwyn Godyfron, and Gwair Bird-Servant, and Gwair son of Cadellin Silver-Brow, and Gwair of False Valour, and Gwair White Spear—Arthur’s uncles, his mother’s brothers; the sons of Llwch of the Striking Hand from beyond the Tyrrhenian Sea,1 Llenlleog the Irishman, and the Exalted One of Prydain,2 Cas son of Saidi, Gwrfan Fair Hair, Gwilenhin, king of France, Gwitardd son of Aedd, king of Ireland, Garselyd the Irishman, Panawr Head of the Host, Atlendor son of Naf, Gwyn the Wrathful, overseer of Cornwall and Devon … Celli, and Cuelli, and Gilla Stag-Leg …’

  ‘Heel, and Sole of Heel, and Blazing Sole … Erwm the Tall, and Atrwm the Tall …

  ‘Huarwar son of Halwn �
� Gwarae Golden Hair,1 the two whelps of the bitch Rhymhi, Gwyddrud, and Gwydden the Cunning, Suck son of Sucker … Cacamwri, Arthur’s servant … Gulp, and Swallow, and Foolish the Bold, and Weak the Tall, and Amren the Tall … and Lip son of Placid … [188] Uchdryd Cross Beard … Elidir the Guide, Ysgyrdaf and Ysgudydd—they were two of Gwenhwyfar’s servants … Brys son of Brysethach from the top of the black fernland in Prydain,2 and Gruddlwyn the Dwarf.’

  Bwlch and Cyfwlch … maidservants: Here, the acoustic dimension has taken over completely, as names are fabricated solely for the purpose of rhythm and sound, so as to make translation extremely challenging. I have divided the prose into short lines in an attempt to highlight the repetitive, alliterative, and rhyming elements of the passage. The passage, with slight changes, is repeated later in the tale, when Ysbaddaden makes his demands of Culhwch (p. 200). The first three lines play on the word bwlch, meaning ‘gap’ or ‘breach’. Cyfwlch means ‘perfect or complete’, and Difwlch is ‘without a breach’; cleddyf is the common word for ‘sword’. Glas means ‘grey, silver’ and Gleisiad means ‘salmon’. Call means ‘shrewd’ while Cuall can mean ‘foolish’ or ‘speedy’. Cafall, from Latin caballus (‘horse’) is the name of Arthur’s dog. The last four lines translate as follows: