Culhwch and Olwen

There is a great deal of interest to the scholars in the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, because it was composed probably in c. 1100. These interests lay in the fact that it was composed before Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote Historia regum Britanniae, in 1137, which was the first full account of the life of King Arthur.

Arthur appeared with some of the figures that would later play parts in the Arthurian legend in Geoffrey's works and other works of later writers. These characters included Kei (Kay) and his constant companion Bedwyr (Bedivere), and Gwalchmei (Gawain). Arthur's wife Guinevere also appeared for the first time, as the queen, Gwenhwyvar, in Culhwch.

What was just as interesting was the mention of the Battle of Camlann. Reference of Camlann was also made in the Dream of Rhonabwy.

In the Annales Cambriae, written in 10th century, it said that "The year of the battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut (Mordred) fell..." The last part of the statement was rather ambiguous. For it doesn't state the nature of their relationship, nor did it say whether they fought along side by side or against each other.

But in Culhwch and Rhonabwy, the battle was already fought, and Arthur was still alive. Not only that Saint Kynwyl was one of three men to escape Camlann, and was the last man to leave Arthur (not Bedwyr or Bedivere). The other two were Morvran son of Tegid, and Sanddev Angel Face. Unless the battle of Camlann happened after Culhwch, then the writer was talking about the future.

Finally in the Dream of Rhonabwy, Arthur fought against Medrawd, better known as Medraut in the Annales Cambriae or Mordred in the Arthurian legend. Medrawd was the nephew and foster-son of Arthur.

If you are interested the Welsh version of the family tree of Arthur, see the House of Arthur and Culhwch.

• In Arthur's Court

• The Price of Marriage

In Arthur's Court

Culhwch (Kulhwch) was the son of King Kilydd of Kelyddon and Goleuddydd, daughter of the ruler Amlawdd. His name Culhwch was given because Goleuddydd gave birth in front of a swineherd, and the infant dropped into a pig's run.

Goleuddydd fell ill, and made her husband promise not to take another wife until a two-headed thorn grew before her gravestone. So for seven years, Kilydd remained a widower. Kilydd took another wife, who was daughter of King Doged.

When the new queen found out she had a stepson, she wanted to marry him to her daughter. When Culhwch told her he was still too young to marry, she told Culhwch that he could never have a woman until he married Olwen, daughter of the giant named Ysbaddaden Pencawr (Pencawr or Bencawr means "King of Giants"). Kilydd told his son that to win Olwen he must gain the help of his cousin, King Arthur.

Culhwch arrived at Arthur's palace, and like Lugh, he was refused entry to court by the doorman. It seemed to be a custom of the Celts, to refuse entry to a home at night or during supper. Unlike Lugh, instead of listing his skill to take service with the king as Lugh had done, Culhwch threatened to place a curse upon Arthur and his entire household.

Arthur told the doorman to allow the youth to enter; though Kei (Kay) advised against breaking the custom.

Culhwch told Arthur of his request that the king couldn't refuse; Culhwch told Arthur that he wanted to win the hand of Ysbaddaden's daughter, Olwen. Culhwch proceeded to list the men who should help them. They included Kei and Bedwyr (Bedivere), the bard Taliesin, as well as some Irish heroes from the Red Branch. The men in this long list had some unique skills. There were some two hundred heroes in the list (really quite tedious). When Arthur learned that Culhwch was his cousin, Arthur agreed to help.

The Price of Marriage

Arthur and Culhwch set out to find Ysbaddaden's home. Culhwch learned of where the giant lived when he met a shepherd named Custenhin (Custennin), who was the husband of Goleuddydd's sister. He was told that no one left Ysbaddaden's domain alive. Culhwch gave the shepherd a ring as a reward for the information. Custenhin gave the ring to his wife and told her that he had met his nephew. Custenhin's wife was sorrowful that her nephew was going to his death.

They invited their noble guests, where Culhwch met the couple's last son named Goreu, who was hiding in the chest near the hearth. Ysbaddaden had killed the other twenty-three sons. Kei asked her to let Goreu become his companion in the quest for Olwen.

Culhwch wanted to meet Olwen, so his aunt made arrangements. Culhwch fell in love with Olwen when she arrived at his aunt's house. Olwen refused to marry him unless her father agreed. Olwen knew that when she married, her father would die. Olwen advised Culhwch that he must go to his father and ask for her hand in marriage. Culwch would have to do everything Ysbaddaden asked for, if he hoped to marry her.

Culhwch and his companions arrived at Ysbaddaden's fortress, killing nine gatekeepers and nine mastiffs until they stood before Ysbaddaden. When Ysbaddaden heard what they wanted, he asked his servants to lift his eyelids with a fork, so he could see his prospective son-in-law. Ysbaddaden told them to return tomorrow.

As they turned back to leave. Ysbaddaden hurled one of his three-poisoned spears at them. Bedywr caught the spear and threw it back at the giant. Ysbaddaden received a wound to his knee. Ysbaddaden cried out that he would have trouble walking up hill.

They returned in the morning, demanding to allow Culhwch to marry the giant's daughter. Ysbaddaden told them he must consult Olwen's grandparents first. As Culhwch's company left to have breakfast, Ysbaddaden threw another spear at the group. This time Menw, son of Teirwaedd caught the spear before hurling it back at Ysbaddaden. The spear pierced Ysbaddaden's chest. Ysbaddaden complained that he would suffer from chest pain and stomach ache.

Culhwch and his companions returned from their meal, again making their demand. Ysbaddaden's eyelids had drooped over his eyes. Once they were pushed up, the giant threw his last spear. This time it was Culhwch who caught the spear and threw it back at Ysbaddaden. The spear struck one of his eyes. The giant moaned that his eye would water whenever the wind blows, and he would suffer from dizziness and headache as a result of this latest injury.

It was then that Ysbaddaden started making demands from Culhwch. Culhwch promised Ysbaddaden he would fetch everything that the giant wanted. Ysbaddaden told Culhwch that he must complete over forty impossible tasks. Some tasks couldn't be completed until he performed one or more tasks that were necessary for success. Some of these tasks were also preparation for his daughter's marriage.

Each task seemed to be short, yet it took at least seven pages for Ysbaddaden to list all his requirements. I don't think I will go through them all here. However, I will try to recount some of the most important tasks that Culhwch and his companions needed to complete.

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One of the items that they had to fetch was the sword from Wrnach the Giant. Kei, pretending to be a craftsman, said he was a burnisher of swords. Kei polished Wrnach's sword before killing the giant with his own sword.

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Next, they had to find and release from prison, a man or youth named Mabon, the son of the goddess Modron. Culhwch needed Mabon to control Drudwyn, the hound of Greid, to hunt the boar (Twrch Trwyth). Fetching the leash (Cors Hundred Claws) and the collar (Canhastyr Hundred Hands), as well as the hound (Drudwyn), were three other conditions that Culhwch needed fulfilling.

Gwrhyr, Arthur's interpreter, could speak the language of the animals. To find out where Mabon was held captive, Gwrhyr had to talk to one animal after another. Each animal was older than the previous. First Gwrhyr talked to Ousel of Kilgwri, who did not know of Mabon, but thought that the Stag of Rhedenvre might know. The stag did not know, but the beast told him to find the Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd. The owl guided them to the Eagle of Gwernbwy, who in turn told them to speak to the Salmon of Llyn Llyw. The salmon was the oldest and the wisest of the animals. The salmon took Kei and Bedywr to Gloucester, where they found Mabon's prison. They freed Mabon, who in gratitude joined Culhwch's company.

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Another important task, needed before Arthur and his men could hunt for the wild boar, was that Gwynn ap Nudd and Gwythyr fab Greidawl needed to join him. Both men had fallen in love with Creiddylad, daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint. Creiddylad was one of the three most beautiful women ever to live.

Apparently Gwythyr had married Creiddylad, but before he could sleep with her, Gwynn forced his way into their chamber and abducted Creiddylad. Neither man would give her up, so both sides collected an army. There was constant fighting between them. Gwynn managed to capture many prominent nobles of Gwythyr; among the captives were Nwython and his son Kyledyr. Gwynn ruthlessly killed Nwython in front of his son, cutting out Nwython's heart, before forcing Kyledyr to eat his father's heart. The unfortunate Kyledyr went mad from Gwynn's monstrous act.

Arthur really needed Gwynn and his hounds, so Arthur decided to intervene. He placed a curse, sort of like the Irish geis, upon Gwynn and Gwythyr to reconcile, freeing the nobles that Gwynn held as prisoners. Gwynn and Gwythyr would fight a duel each year on May Day (Calan Mai), until Judgement Day. In the meantime, Creiddylad would remain forever young with her father until one of them won the duel. With this, Gwynn and Gwythyr made peace and joined Arthur in the most perilous task.

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They hunted the wild boar called Twrch Trwyth. The boar had a razor, scissors and comb that Ysbaddaden required, to prepare him for his daughter's wedding. No other items were strong enough to allow Ysbaddaden to shave, cut or comb his hair.

Twrch Trwyth was originally human but had been transformed into a wild boar. Twrch Trwyth had seven young pigs. As Arthur and his company hunted, they were led on a merry chase from Ireland to Wales, then Brittany and lastly Cornwall. These wild boars caused death and mayhem. Many of Arthur's men fell in the hunt, including his own son Gwydre.

Mabon took the razor and Kyledyr the Wild took the scissor from Twrch Trwyth, in the river Havren. Arthur managed to take the comb from Twrch Trwyth in Cornwall, before they drove it out to sea.

The final task required Arthur to gain the blood of the Black Hag, daughter of the White Hag from the Valley of Distress. The blood was needed to untangle Ysbaddaden's hair. At the cave of the hag, the hag defeated four of Arthur's companions before Arthur defeated her and took her blood.

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Culhwch brought all the items that Ysbaddaden requested, before the youth would be allowed to marry Olwen. After shaving Ysbaddaden, Goreu, the son of the shepherd Custenhin, beheaded Ysbaddaden, thereby avenging the death of his brothers.

Culhwch married Olwen and slept with her, living in Ysbaddaden's fortress. After the celebration was over, Arthur and his men went home.