Selyf son of Cynan Garwyn … Gwgawn Gleddyfrudd: Selyf was king of Powys at the beginning of the seventh century; he lost his life fighting the Northumbrians at the battle of Chester (c.615). His reputation as a fierce warrior is reflected in the triads, where he is named as one of the Three Battle-Rulers of the Island of Britain (TYP 25). Gwgawn Red Sword, too, is comemmorated as someone who holds his ground in battle (TYP 24). According to the genealogies, he was a local ruler in Ceredigion, in West Wales (see TYP, p. 384).
Blathaon son of Mwrheth … Hyfaidd Unllen: for Blathaon, compare the place-name (see note to p. 182 on Pen Pengwaedd ); Hyfaidd One-Mantle appears in Arthur’s Court List (p. 185).
Bedwin the Bishop … many men from Greece: compare the lists in ‘Geraint son of Erbin’ (p. 155) and ‘How Culhwch Won Olwen’ (pp. 184–9). It would seem that the author has borrowed extensively from the latter, and also from the triads. The following names do not appear in the above lists, neither are they mentioned elsewhere in the dream: Gwenwynwyn son of Naf (one of the Three Fleet Owners, TYP 14); Daned son of Oth, Gwair son of Gwystyl (meaning ‘hostage’, one of the Three Diademed Battle-Leaders, TYP 21); Dyrstan son of Tallwch (for Trystan, see note to p. 219 on March); Granwen son of Llŷr; Llacheu son of Arthur (mentioned in the triads, see TYP, pp. 408–10); Rhyawdd son of Morgant (a ‘frivolous/amateur bard’, according to TYP 12); Gilbert son of Cadgyffro (son of Battle Tumult, see TYP, pp. 360–1); Gyrthmwl Wledig (see TYP, p. 383); Cawrdaf son of Caradog Strong Arm (see TYP, p. 308).
Rhun son of Maelgwn Gwynedd … Cadyriaith son of Saidi: Maelgwn, king of Gwynedd (d. 547), is one of the five rulers of sixth-century Britain condemned by Gildas for his crimes. His son Rhun is mentioned in more than one source regarding a dispute with Maelgwn’s son-in-law Elidir Mwynfawr (see TYP, pp. 491–2). For Cadyriaith (‘Fine Speech’) see note to p. 141.
it was in praise of Arthur: the author is probably satirizing the court poets here—their poetry is so complex that no one understands! Madog himself was a renowned patron of poets: eulogies were composed to him by men such as Gwalchmai ap Meilyr and Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr.
in Cornwall: a memory of the older, pre-Geoffrey of Monmouth tradition that associated Arthur with Celli Wig in Cornwall.
neither poet nor storyteller … without a book: a much-quoted phrase in any discussion regarding the relationship between the poet and the storyteller. This could well be a doublet, and does not necessarily prove that poets and storytellers were two autonomous groups. The reasons given for dependence on a book are hardly plausible, considering the mnemonic feats of the medieval storytellers; moreover, the elaborate descriptions found in the dream, although detailed, all follow a similar pattern, so facilitating the task of committing them to memory. Without a book probably refers to the fact that this tale had always been a literary tale, and had no dynamic oral life prior to its being committed to manuscript, although the author certainly draws on traditional sources. It is perhaps appropriate that this is the last tale in our Mabinogion ‘collection’, for with it medieval Welsh narrative moves in a new direction.
INDEX OF PERSONAL NAMES
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. For the names included in the Court List and Ysbaddaden’s list of tasks in ‘How Culhwch Won Olwen’, see pp. 184–9 and 195–200.
Amhar son of Arthur one of Arthur’s chamberlains 141, 256 n.
Amhren son of Bedwyr one of Arthur’s chamberlains 141, 186
Angharad Law Eurog Angharad Golden Hand, with whom Peredur falls in love 82, 86
Aranrhod daughter of Dôn mother of Lleu and Dylan, sister of Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, niece of Math son of Mathonwy, ruler of Gwynedd 54–8, 242 n.
Arawn king of Annwfn (the Otherworld) 3–8
Arthur ‘chief of the kings of this island’ in ‘How Culhwch Won Olwen’, but ‘emperor’ in the three ‘romances’ 66–71, 73–4, 79–82, 84–6, 94–6, 98, 102, 116–17, 121, 124, 127–31, 134, 137–8, 139–41, 145, 147–9, 150–7, 168–72, 179–91, 199–200, 202–13, 216–26, 245 n.
Bedwin the Bishop Arthur’s bishop 188, 217, 225
Bedwyr son of Bedrawd one of Arthur’s men, closest companion to Cai 141, 155, 184, 186, 189–90, 193, 202, 203–5, 206, 208, 210, 263 n.
Beli (the Great) son of Manogan/Mynogan ruler of the Island of Britain, father of Lludd, Caswallon, Nyniaw, and Llefelys 22, 33, 36, 107, 111, 112, 115, 233 n.
Bendigeidfran son of Llŷr crowned king of the Island of Britain, brother to Branwen and Manawydan, and half-brother to Efnysien; he is sometimes known as Brân (meaning ‘raven’ or ‘crow’) 22–34, 35, 232 n., 235 n.
Bleiddwn the son of the brothers Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, conceived and born while they were in the shape of a wolf and she-wolf; his name means ‘Dark-red Wolf’ 54
Blodeuedd meaning ‘flowers’; she is created out of flowers by Math and Gwydion as a wife for Lleu, but is transformed into an owl for her infidelity with Gronw Pebr, and her name changes to Blodeuwedd (‘Flower-face’) 58–64
Branwen daughter of Llŷr; sister of Bendigeidfran and Manawydan, and half-sister to Efnysien; she is given in marriage to Matholwch, king of Ireland 23–4, 27–34, 233 n., 236 n.
Cadwri son of Gwrion a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall 155
Cadyriaith son of Porthor Gandwy ‘Fine-speech’ son of the porter Gandwy, one of Arthur’s chamberlains; his patronymic varies––he is sometimes the son of Saidi 140, 150, 156, 171, 225
Cai son of Cynyr sometimes portrayed as the steward at Arthur’s court; he is often given the epithet Gwyn (‘fair’) or Hir (‘Tall’) 68–71, 74, 79–82, 85, 116–21, 129, 155, 169–70, 182–3, 184, 186, 188, 189–92, 201–2, 203, 205, 206–7, 219, 226, 246 n., 254 n.
Caradog son of Brân one of the men left behind to guard Britain when Bendigeidfran (Brân) and his troops go to Ireland to wage war 28, 33, 234 n.
Caradog son of Llŷr Arthur’s cousin, sometimes known as Caradog Freichfras (Strong Arm); he acts as guarantor for Edern son of Nudd 152, 218, 225
Caswallon son of Beli he usurps the crown of Britain while Bendigeidfran is waging war in Ireland 33, 111, 233 n., 236 n.
Caw of Prydyn Caw of Pictland, who is entrusted with the keeping of the tusk of Ysgithrwyn Pen Baedd (‘White Tusk Chief of Boars’) 184, 185, 186, 197, 208, 210, 213, 217, 225, 270 n.
Cigfa daughter of Gwyn Gohoyw or Gloyw, wife of Pryderi 21, 35 –6, 40–2
Cilydd son of Celyddon Wledig father of Culhwch; Cilydd means ‘companion’, (G)wledig means ‘lord’ 179, 183, 189, 191, 193, 194, 259–60 n.
Clust son of Clustfeinydd Ear son of Hearer, a gatekeeper at Arthur’s court 139, 188
Creiddylad daughter of Lludd Llaw Eraint 189, 207
Culhwch son of Cilydd and Goleuddydd; his stepmother swears a destiny on him that he shall marry no one except Olwen daughter of Ysbaddaden Bencawr (Ysbaddaden Chief Giant) 179–84, 189, 191, 193–5, 206, 208, 213, 260 n.
Custennin son of Mynwyedig a shepherd, uncle to Olwen and to Culhwch 191, 202, 212, 213
Cyledyr Wyllt Cyledyr the Wild, who is forced to eat his father’s heart 207, 212
Cymidei Cymeinfoll wife of Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid, the original owner of the Cauldron of Rebirth; they escape death in Ireland and flee to Britain 26
Cynan son of Eudaf brother to Elen wife of Maxen; founder of Brittany, according to ‘The Dream of the Emperor Maxen’ 107, 109–10, 251 n.
Cynddylig Gyfarwydd Cynddylig the Guide, one of Arthur’s men 184, 190
Cynon son of Clydno one of Arthur’s men; his tale is the catalyst for Owain’s adventures 116–21, 122, 128, 253 n.
Dillus Farfog Dillus the Bearded; one of Ysbaddaden’s tasks is that a leash must be made of his beard 199, 206–7
Diwrnach Wyddel Diwrnach the Irishman, owner of a magical cauldron 197, 208
Drem son of Dremidydd Sight son of Seer, a gatekeeper at Arthur’s court 139, 186
Dyfyr son of Alun Dyfed a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall 155
&
nbsp; Dylan son of Ton son of Aranrhod; his name means ‘Dylan son of Wave’—as soon as he is born, he makes for the sea 54, 242–3 n.
Echel Forddwyd Twll Echel Mighty Thigh, one of Arthur’s men 184, 211, 225
Edern son of Nudd known also as the Knight of the Sparrowhawk, Geraint’s adversary 148, 151–2, 153, 155, 156, 184, 219, 225, 257 n.
Edlym Gleddyf Coch Edlym of the Red Sword 90–1
Efnysien son of Euroswydd, brother to Nysien, and half-brother to Bendigeidfran, Branwen, and Manawydan 22, 23, 31–2
Efrog an earl from the North, father of Peredur 65, 68, 78, 79, 81, 155
Eidoel son of Aer a prisoner whose release must be secured as one of Ysbaddaden’s tasks 198, 202–3
Elen Luyddog Elen of the Hosts, wife of the emperor Maxen 108–9, 251 n.
Elifri Arthur’s chief squire in ‘Geraint son of Erbin’, probably to be identified with Elifri Anaw Cyrdd, Elifri ‘Abundance of Skills’, who accompanies Geraint to Cornwall later in the tale 140, 155
Enid daughter of Earl Ynywl, wife of Geraint son of Erbin 153–78, 258 n.
Erbin son of Custennin father to Geraint, uncle to Arthur 154, 156–9, 185
Eudaf son of Caradog father of Elen Luyddog, Cynan, and Gadeon 107–8, 109
Euroswydd father of Nysien and Efnysien 22, 31
Ffodor son of Erfyll one of Bendigeidfran’s men who is left behind to defend Britain while Bendigeidfran wages war on Ireland 28
Gadeon son of Eudaf brother to Elen, wife of Maxen 107, 109–10
Garannaw son of Golithmer a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall 155
Garselyd Wyddel Garselyd the Irishman, one of Arthur’s men 187, 198, 210
Geraint son of Erbin one of Arthur’s men; husband of Enid and hero of ‘Geraint son of Erbin’ 141–78, 184, 185, 225, 256–7 n.
Gildas son of Caw a cleric at Arthur’s court 150, 185, 225
Gilfaethwy son of Dôn brother to Gwydion and nephew to Math king of Gwynedd. Gilfaethwy rapes Goewin, Math’s foot-holder 47–8, 50, 52–4, 240 n.
Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr Arthur’s gatekeeper; his name means ‘Brave Grey Mighty Grasp’ 117, 140, 182–3, 184, 210, 253–4 n.
Glifiau son of Taran Glifiau son of Thunder, one of the seven who escape from Ireland in the Second Branch 32, 207
Gliwi who has imprisoned Eidoel son of Aer 202–3, 272 n.
Glwyddyn Saer Glwyddyn the Craftsman, Arthur’s chief craftsman 186, 210
Goewin daughter of Pebin the virgin foot-holder of Math, king of Gwynedd; raped by Gilfaethwy 47, 50, 52
Gofannon son of Dôn. He strikes the blow that kills his nephew, Dylan 54, 195, 240 n., 242–3 n.
Gogigwr one of Arthur’s gatekeepers 181, 210
Gogyfwlch a gatekeeper at Arthur’s court 139
Goleuddydd daughter of Anlawdd Wledig mother of Culhwch; Goleuddydd means ‘Light of Day’; (G)wledig means ‘lord’ 179, 183, 191
Gorau son of Custennin his name means ‘Best’; one of Arthur’s chamberlains; he cuts off the head of Ysbaddaden 141, 155, 202, 212, 213, 225, 272 n.
Graid son of Eri prisoner of Gwyn ap Nudd 184, 198, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210
Gronw Pebr either Gronw ‘the Strong’ or ‘the Radiant’, lord of Penllyn; he sleeps with Blodeuedd and is eventually killed by her husband, Lleu 59–61, 63–4
Gruddieu son of Muriel one of the seven who escape from Ireland in the Second Branch 32
Gwair Gwrhyd Fawr Gwair ‘of Great Valour’; he may be equated with Gwair son of Gwystyl; a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall 155, 258–9 n.
Gwair son of Gwystyl one of Arthur’s men. Gwystyl means ‘hostage’ 65, 225
Gwalchmai son of Gwyar one of Arthur’s men; his name contains the epithet gwalch, meaning ‘hawk’ 65, 80–2, 85–6, 94, 95–7, 101–2, 128–30, 139, 140, 152, 155–6, 170–1, 188, 190, 225, 245 n.
Gwallog son of Llennog one of Arthur’s men who acts as guarantor for Edern son of Nudd 152, 258 n.
Gwarthegydd son of Caw cattle-raider son of Caw, one of Arthur’s men 210, 217, 225
Gwawl son of Clud betrothed to Rhiannon 12–15, 45
Gwenhwyfar wife of Arthur 68, 70, 85, 116, 117, 121, 139–43, 145, 147–56, 171, 183, 188, 245–6 n.
Gwern son of Matholwch, king of Ireland, and Branwen, sister of Bendigeidfran; he is thrown into the fire by Efnysien, his mother’s half-brother 27, 30, 32
Gwiffred Petit he is called Y Brenin Bychan (‘The Little King’) by the Welsh 167, 169, 176
Gwilym William, son of the king of France; he accompanies Geraint to Cornwall 155, 225
Gwrddnei Lygaid Cath Gwrddnei Cat-Eye, a gatekeeper at Arthur’s court 139
Gwrgi Gwastra one of Pryderi’s men, given as hostage to Math son of Mathonwy 51
Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd Gwrhyr Interpreter of Languages, one of Arthur’s men 188, 190, 192, 201, 203–5, 209, 225, 266 n.
Gwri Wallt Eurin the name given to Pryderi when he is found and adopted by Teyrnon Twrf Liant and his wife 18, 20, 231 n.
Gwydion son of Dôn nephew to Math, king of Gwynedd, and uncle to Lleu Llaw Gyffes 47–58, 61–3, 240 n.
Gwyn Llogell Gwŷr perhaps Gwyn ‘Protector of Men’; a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall and court judge to Arthur 155
Gwyn son of Nudd one of Arthur’s men who fights Gwythyr every May eve for the hand of Creiddylad 184, 189, 199, 207, 211, 212–13, 271 n.
Gwyn son of Tringad a member of Geraint’s escort to Cornwall 155, 210
Gwythyr son of Greidol one of Arthur’s men; he saves an anthill from fire 184, 189, 205, 207, 212–13
Hafgan one of the kings of the Otherworld 4, 6
Heilyn son of Gwyn (Hen) son of Gwyn (the Old); he opens the forbidden door on the Island of Grassholm 32, 34
Huandaw one of Arthur’s gatekeepers 181, 210
Hychddwn Hir the son of the brothers Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, conceived and born while they were in the shape of a wild boar and a wild sow; his name means ‘Dark-red Pig, the Tall’ 53–4
Hyddwn the son of the brothers Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, conceived and born while they were in the shape of a hind and stag; his name means ‘Dark-red Stag’ 53–4
Hyfaidd Hen Hyfaidd the Old, father of Rhiannon 11–15
Hyfaidd Hir Hyfaidd the Tall, one of Bendigeidfran’s messengers, who is subsequently left behind to defend Britain while Bendigeidfran wages war on Ireland 24–5, 28
Hywel son of Emyr Llydaw Llydaw means ‘Brittany’; Emyr can either be read as a proper name or as a common noun meaning ‘king’, in which case Hywel is son of the king of Brittany 155, 225
Iddig son of Anarog (Walltgrwn) son of Anarog (Curly Hair), one of Bendigeidfran’s messengers who is subsequently left behind to defend Britain while Bendigeidfran wages war on Ireland 24, 28
Iddog son of Mynio otherwise known as Iddog Cordd Prydain (‘Iddog the Agitator of Britain’) 216–20, 224–6, 277 n.
Iorwerth son of Maredudd brother of Madog, ruler of Powys 214, 276 n.
Isgofan Hael Isgofan the Generous, one of Arthur’s men 185, 210
Llacheu son of Arthur 225
Llaesgymyn a gatekeeper at Arthur’s court 139, 181, 210
Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid the original owner of the Cauldron of Rebirth; he escapes death in Ireland and comes to Britain with his wife, Cymidei Cymeinfoll 26
Llashar son of Llasar Llaesgyngwyd perhaps to be identified with Llasar Llaes Gyfnewid; he is left behind to defend Britain while Bendigeidfran wages war on Ireland 28, 238 n.
Llefelys son of Beli king of France, brother of Lludd 111–13, 114, 115
Lleu Llaw Gyffes his name means ‘the Fair-haired One with the Skilful Hand’; he is son of Aranrhod and nephew of Gwydion; a wife, Blodeuedd, is created for him out of flowers 56–64, 243 n.
Lludd Llaw Eraint Lludd Silver Hand, father of Creiddylad 189, 205 207
Lludd son of Beli ruler of the Island of Britain, brother of Llefelys 111–15, 233 n.
Llwyd son of Cil Coed Llwyd means ‘G
rey’; he is the magician who casts a spell over Dyfed in order to avenge the insult done to Gwawl 45, 187, 209
Luned maidservant to the Lady of the Well 126–7, 134, 136
Mabon son of Mellt Mabon son of Lightning, one of Arthur’s huntsmen 207
Mabon son of Modron a prisoner who must be freed as one of Ysbaddaden’s tasks 198, 202–5, 212, 225, 270 n.
The Mabinogion (Oxford World's Classics) Page 40