How Culhwch Won Olwen

Introduction TBA

Goleuddydd and Ysbaddaden Bencawr
Cilydd, son of Celyddon Wledig ("Wledig" meaning "lord" and "Celyddon" referring to Caledonia, an area of south-west Scotland ), wished for a wife that would birth him a son of standing equal to himself. He married Goleuddydd, daughter of Anlawdd Wledig, and after their first night consummating the marriage, the people of the land prayed they would have an heir. Though their prayers were answered, Goleuddydd went mad from the day she became pregnant and would not go within any dwelling. She unexpectedly gave birth to her son when she saw the sight of pigs and the swineherd took the boy to the court, where he was baptised and named as Culhwch because he was found in the pig-pen (this is an attempt to explain his name, which is "hwch" meaning pig and "cul" means sty, though during the period "cul" more likely meant "slim". Culhwch may have tradition inherited from the Celtic God Moccus ). Yet, he was of noble descent, cousin to Arthur, and was sent to live with foster-parents. But when the boy was sent away, the mother fell gravely ill. She summoned her husband and requested that he not seek a new wife until he witnesses a two-headed briar on her grave, to which he agreed. However, she then summoned her chaplain and asked that he clean her grave every year, so that nothing would grow on it. After her death, the king sent a servant to check the grave every day for signs of growth. Only after seven years did the chaplain neglect his task and the king himself discovered, finally, that the briar had finally grown and he was free to wed again.

His counsellors suggested that Cilydd marry the wife of King Doged, believing she would suit the king well. Thus they set forth and slew King Doged, took his lands and possession of his wife and daughter. Sometime after, the queen, named Ysbaddaden Bencawr (her name meaning "white track". The author attempts to later explain this name as "ysbaddad" means "hawthorn" and "pencawr" means "chief giant" ) ventured out and discovered and old hag that lived near the village. She asked the hag whether her abductor had any other children. The hag did explain that the king was destined to have an heir, which may well be born by the queen herself, but that the king did have a son already. The queen asked Cilydd of his son and he summoned Culhwch to court. The queen immediately declares to Culhwch that he should be married and she spoke that she had the greatest daughter that any man could wish for, her name being Olwen. Culhwch says that he is too young, so the queen lays a destiny upon him that he would never know a woman until he had been with Olwen. All at once, Culhwch feels a burning love for this young woman he had never met. He told his father of this and Cilydd believes it will be easy for Culhwch to get Olwen. First he tells Culhwch to travel to Arthur, his cousin, to have his hair trimmed (this was a symbolic act of the period to recognise a blood-relationship ) and claim his gift (which he is entitled to once accepted formally into the family by his lord ). Thus, Culhwch set out for Arthur's court upon a strong, grey horse and a golden saddle. He carried a large battle-axe and a sword whose blade was gold. He also had a gold shield with a rim of ivory. Along with the horse, he had two other animals - two greyhounds with collars of red gold. The pair would run left-to-right, sweeping back and forth. He wore a large, four-cornered cloak of purple with ruby-gold in each corner (the original passage here was written rhythmically for the oral nature that the work was intended to be ).

Meeting King Arthur
When he arrived at the court, he asked a man if there was a gatekeeper and the man said Culhwch was liable to lose his head for he was speaking directly to the gatekeeper now, his name being Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr. He clarified that he was the gatekeeper every first day of January, but usually has deputies for the rest of the days; Huandaw, Gogigwr, Llaesgymyn and Penpingion, who he insults as being a rolling stone on the court floor. When the boy asks to pass, the gatekeeper refuses as the feast has already begun. He does offer consolation, however, that he and his animals would be well tended to, including a great deal of food in the hostel and a woman to sleep with. Culhwch would have to wait until tomorrow when the doors are opened again, whereabout he could choose to freely join the court. Culhwch, however, refuses this compromise and threatens that he shall give the gatekeeper a bad name if he should not open the door immediately. He would call out so loud that he could be heard even from atop of Pen Pengwaedd in far off Cornwall, or the bottom of Dinsol in the north or even Esgair Oerfel in Ireland. His call would be so loud that all the pregnant women in the city would miscarry, and those not pregnant would become incapable of conception. Glewlwyd states that he cannot allow Culhwch to enter without at least gaining permission from Arthur himself, so he leave Culhwch at the gate and enters the court. There he gives a speech, listing the many places he has visited - Caer Se and Asse, Sach and Salach, Lotor and Ffotor - India the Great, India the Lesser - the battle of the two Ynyrs when twelve hostages were taken from Norway - Europe, Africa, Corsica - Caer Brythwch, Brythach and Nerthach - he was present when Arthur slew the warband of Gleis, son of Merin - when Arthur killed Mil Du, son of Dugum - when Arthur conquered Greece - Caer Oeth, Anoeth, Caer Nefenhyr Nawdant - and finally summarises all of this that he has never seen such a handsome man in all those places as the man who is currently at the gate. Arthur thinks it is shocking that such a man as this should be left at the gate and wants Glewlwyd, but Cai argues that the laws of the court should not be broken on the account of this stranger. He uses the oath 'by the hand of my friend' as he does this (the oath is unique to Cai and possibly a reference to his friend Bedwyr having lost his hand ). Arthur disagrees with Cai, arguing that nobles gain fame and prestige from gifting and kindness to those that ask.

Glewlwyd returned to the gate to allow Culhwch inside, but rather than use the mounting-block to dismount, he rode his horse through. He greets Arthur by wishing that all sides of his house be of equal standing, both to nobles and their retinue and that this grace apply to all lands under Arthur. Arthur bids the young man welcome and that he should share as heir-apparent to the kingdom, including the bounty of Arthur. Culhwch, however, proclaims that he has not come to take from Arthur, but only to claim his rightful gift - but adds that he would denounce Arthur should the king refuse. Arthur exclaims that he should give the young chieftain anything he desires, barring those which Arthur cannot part with, namely his ship (named Prydwen ) his mantle (named Gwen and one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain, an invisibility cloak ), his sword, named Caledfwlch (written as "Caliburnus" by Geoffrey Monmouth, becoming Excalibur in English ), his spear, named Rhongomyniad (Striking-spear ), his shield, named Wynebgwrthucher (Evening-face ), his dagger, named Carnwennan (Little White Haft ), and his wife, Gwenhwyfar. Thus, Culhwch requested that his hair be cut and Arthur agreed to do so, using a golden comb. This request alerts Arthur that the young man is his own blood and asks who he is and it is revealed they are cousins. Culhwch then requests Arthur's aid in winning Olwen and invokes the names of Arthur's warriors.

Men
Thus follows an incredibly long list of names, all followers of Arthur. Some are likely fabricated exclusively for this text, while others are likely characters of other known adventures all brought under the umbrella of Arthur. Some of the characters are included in other chapters of The Mabinogion itself (such as Geraint, from Geraint son of Erbin, or Fflewddwr Flame from Rhonabwy's Dream) Following is a table listing the names and the translations from Sioned Davies' edition of The Mabinogion; Press "expand" to view.

Women
Following the list of men comes a shorter list of the women who fall directly under Arthur. Press "expand" to view.

The Six Knights
After this extravagant invocation of names, Arthur concedes that he has never heard of the maiden Olwen, but he would search for her and Culhwch gives a time limit on one year. However, even after a year has lapsed, Arthur's scouts haven't been able to locate Olwen and Culhwch vowed he would leave the court dejected and taking Arthur's honour with him. Cai, however, believes Culhwch lays too much insult on Arthur and is determined that Culhwch would remain with them until either Olwen is found or Culhwch admits that Olwen never existed in the first place. Therefore, Cai will join Culhwch on his quest to find the maiden. Cai has the supernatural ability to hold his breath for nine days, even underwater. Any wound from Cai's sword could not be healed by any physician. He was intelligent. He could change his size to that of the tallest tree if he wished. He had great internal body heat, so much so that anything he held in his hand would remain completely dry, even during the heaviest rainfall. He could act as kindling for a fire if his companions were cold.

Bedwyr also joined the cause. No one was so handsome as Bedwyr in the entire land, save for Arthur himself and Drych son of Cibddar (Drych means "aspect" or "mirror". He is one of the Three Enchanters of the Island of Britain). Bedwyr was one-handed, but no warrior could draw blood on a battlefield as fast as he. His spear could only thrust once, but had nine counter-thrusts in it. Next came Cynddylig Gyfarwydd, who Arthur tasked to operate as guide to the group, and Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, who could speak all languages.

Gwalchmai, son of Gwyar, made the fifth member. He is Arthur's nephew, his sister's son, and his cousin. He was amongst the very best of knights, best on foot and on horseback. Arthur then recruited Menw, son of Teirgwaedd, who would be able to cast a spell, should they enter pagan lands, so that none could see them, but they could see everyone. This made up the six knights for the quest.

The six men travelled until they reached a expansive field in which stood the tallest fort in the world. They marched towards the fort until evening, yet they were still so far from its gates. They had to march for three days across the field before they finally reached the gigantic structure. As they finally neared, they saw a shepherd with an unenclosed flock of sheep and an old mastiff that was larger than a stallion. No soldier had ever passed the dog unharmed. Cai tries to convince Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd to speak to the shepherd, but he promised to only go wherever Cai himself went and wants to go together. Menw, however, decides he will cast a spell on the dog so it will not harm anyone. So, as a group, they approach the shepherd and ask whose sheep he tends. The shepherd calls them stupid for their ignorance and that this is the fort of Ysbaddaden Bencawr. The man introduces himself as Custennin son of Mynwyedig and explains that because of his wife, his brother, who is Ysbaddaden Bencawr, has ruined him. They explained they were seeking Olwen, and the shepherd pitied them for none lived who sought that lady. Culhwch gave the shepherd a gold ring, but the ring did not fit the man's finger, so he placed it on one of his gloves and took it home to his wife. His wife wanted to know where he got such a treasure and he claimed it washed up on the hand of a dead man with the tide. His wife doubted him and wanted him to show her the corpse, but he said that the corpse would arrive soon - the dead man being Culhwch son of Cilydd, son of Celyddon Wledig, by Goleuddydd, daughter of Anlawdd Wledig. The wife was happy to learn that her nephew, for she was sister of Goleuddydd, had come to her, but saddened, because no man ever lived through such a quest.

When she heard the six men approaching from outside, she rushed out and tried to embrace Cai. But he held a log before him and she grabbed it and twisted it such that it became nothing but a twisted branch. Cai was horrified that she might have done this to him, as he rebukes that he would never be able to make love again after being so roughly treated. When they were all settled inside, the wife opened a coffer to release a gold-haired youth, which unsettled Gwrhyr that the boy should be hidden so. She laments that this is her last living son, as Ysbaddaden Bencawr has killed the rest. So she keeps him hidden, though she holds little hope that he will not be slain also.

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