#Welsh triads

[gawrkin]

Arthur, the Wizard-king

Since King Arthur is a bard (albeit a frivolous one) in Welsh Myth, that technically means Arthur is a magician in some capacity.

Bards/Poets in Celtic Culture and Myth are combo of newscaster, historian, genealogist, prophet and entertainer. They are essentially lore keepers - Walking libraries for a mostly illiterate society. Which is why they are placed in an esteemed social status. They not only entertain but can prophesize the future, rouse one's companions to action and curse people with satires, on top of preserving knowledge through poetic forms.

Taliesin and Myrddin Wyllt are examples of from welsh lore. In Irish myth, there's Laidcenn, Niall (of the nine hostages)'s poet, and I remember some poet-warrior threatened to lampoon Cu Chulainn.

I think evidence that points to Arthur's magic is in the story Gwyn, Gwythyr and Creiddylad:

If you interpret Gwyn and Gwythyr as mortal men, Arthur magically oath-bound two men to fight each other until judgement day, granting them immortality in the process.

If you interpret Gwyn and Gwythyr are divine beings, then Arthur cursed two gods to fight each other annually and organized the seasons.

No matter how you cut it, Arthur is pretty magically strong. Other magical facts about Arthur include:

Welsh Triads saying Arthur had the ability to render the land infertile for seven years wherever he walks.

Arthur having an invisibility cloak, like Harry Potter. It was called "Gwenn", apparently.

Oral Folklore that says that Arthur can shapeshift into a raven or chough. Which is why it's bad luck to kill one.

Uther, Arthur's dad, being the creator of one of the "Three great enchantments of Britain", which was then taught to Menw ap Teirgwaedd, an enchanter knight of Arthur's. In his death-song, Uther even boasts about being a "great enchanter". (unless I'm mistaken)

[queer-ragnelle]

I support women. Join me or get out.

[taliesin-the-bored]

Hi :) Could I have the source for "wherever Arthur walks, plants die"? That's very "Holly King" coded of him

Sure thing! It's from Triad 23 in the Red Book of Hergest. Here's a translation by John Rhŷs and John Gwenogvryn Evans:

Three Red Ravagers of the Island of Britain: Rhun son of Beli, and Lleu Skilful Hand, and Morgant the Wealthy. But there was one who was a Red Ravager greater than all three: Arthur was his name. For a year neither grass nor plants used to spring up where one of the three would walk; but where Arthur went, not for seven years.

Peniarth MS 54 lists "{t}hree red-spotted ones of the Island of Prydain. Arthur; and Run son of Beli; and Morgant Mwynfawr" (W.F. Skene's translation), which probably means the same thing, since both include Arthur, Rhun son of Beli, and someone named Morgant. In Welsh, "Morgant the Wealthy" is Morgant Hael, and I haven't been able to determine whether he and Morgant Myfanwyr are the same person.

Thanks for the ask!

[liminalpsych]

Appendix C in Faletra's translation of Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain

My feelings on the various excerpts from other texts included in Appendix C of Michael Faletra's translation of Geoffrey's Historia regum Britanniae. These focused on the arc of King Arthur's development and are all very short excerpts, often just a long paragraph.

A quick plug for a fantastic Arthurian podcast I stumbled upon earlier this week, Eavesdropping On Arthurians. The very first episode is a professor talking with the podcaster about all these texts and more, as well as how to pronounce them, and the early references to Arthur. It was an informative and interesting listen, I really recommend it if you're interested in any of these texts or pre-Galfridian Arthur. (The second episode is about Geoffrey of Monmouth's depiction of many powerful women in his texts, who he presents as pretty much universally positive. Theoretically as a way to support Empress Matilda's bid for the throne. Also a worthwhile listen.)

From Aneirin, The Gododdin

This is the single poem that mentions Arthur; it's considered the first extant reference to the figure of Arthur. I talked about Y Gododdin in this post if you want the poem and more details on the full text.

From What Man is the Gatekeeper? (Pa gur yw y porthor?)

This one's neat! It's not even the entire poem. I've ordered a copy of the Black Book of Carmarthen and will be reading it in its entirety and context once that arrives. This is an early Brythonic poem where the poet describes Arthur and his band as vanquishers of a variety of supernatural monsters. This one has been estimated as being from the 10th century originally, and gives us Kay (as "Kei the fair") and Bedivere (as "the accomplished Bedwyr" by the side of Arthur in battle), and describes Arthur as laughing as he fought and killed "by the hundreds".

From The Stanzas of the Graves

Another one from the Black Book of Carmarthen. This talks about the resting places of many different legendary Cymric heroes, and mentions Arthur in the line "But the world's marvel indeed is the grave of Arthur". Pretty short excerpt, nothing much to respond to here.

From Triodd Ynys Prydein: The Welsh Triads

Faletra notes that these are probably mnemonics for bards, and the professor in the above-mentioned podcast agrees with this. It mentions Arthur, Mordred's betrayal, and the battle of Camlann. Very brief excerpt.

From The Legend of St. Goeznovius (Legenda Sancti Goeznovii)

Faletra writes that this text might date from around 1019. The short excerpt he includes (just about a paragraph) talks about Vortigern, Arthur as a king (possibly written before Geoffrey's Historia depicted Arthur as a king, which is interesting because most sources I've read say he was just written as a general or war-leader before Geoffrey's History).

From William of Malmesbury, The Deeds of the Kings of the English (Gesta Regum Anglorum)

The first English historian to mention Arthur, apparently; unlike the Legenda Sancti Goeznovii, William describes Arthur as a warlike military leader with great prowess in the battlefield. He also mentions Ambrosius and Vortigern. Another brief paragraph of an excerpt.

From Caradoc of Llancarvan, The Life of Gildas (Vita Gildae)

Written in the early to mid twelfth century. It's one I want to read in its entirety, I think. The excerpt shared by Faletra talks about "the holy Gildas" who "loved the king (Arthur) dearly, striving always to obey him", though his twenty-three brothers were very rebellious against Arthur and won several battles against him. Arthur manages to kill the eldest brother eventually, and Gildas grieves and weeps about this, but also prays for Arthur at the same time, apparently because he's a proper Christian saint.

From Gerald of Wales, The Description of Wales (Descriptio Kambriae), 11.2

The second Gerald excerpt. He writes to try to reconcile the lack of records of Arthur as king prior to Geoffrey of Monmouth. He postulates that Gildas (of Vita Gildae, above) threw all of the books about Arthur and cast them into the sea because he was so upset about his brother's death, so that's why no one can find any "accurate account" of Arthur prior to Geoffrey of Monmouth's work.

From Gerald of Wales, The Education of Princes (De Principis Instructione Liber), 1.20

Third Gerald excerpt, but not from the Kambriae this time. He describes the supposed discovery of Arthur's tomb, and really emphasizes "look, it's really totally King Arthur's tomb, I inspected it myself, he's not coming back". He also posits that Avalon is Glastonbury Tor, and that's where Morgan took Arthur after the Battle of Camlann.

From William Caxton's Preface to Sir Thomas Malory Le Morte Darthur

I really just skimmed this one, as I'm not chronologically to Morte in my "read all the core Arthurian texts" quest and figured I'd end up reading Caxton's preface when I got to the point of reading Malory. Caxton argues that Arthur was a real person and was a king.

[like-butterflies-and-glitter]

the NotThem is one of my favourite tma creatures, and i really like listening to mag77 because they connect them to changelings and also the added bonus of fucked up mother-daughter relationships. i would personally love to listen to rose cooper's recordings on english and welsh folklore

[anxiously-awaiting]

i think bedivere needs more ultraviolence

[wingedblooms]

The dreams that are answered

When they were children, the Illyrian brothers dreamt of wielding the legendary sword, Gwydion, to slay wyrms and rescue damsels.

And the stars who listened answered those dreams. Feyre slew a wyrm and rescued Rhysand. Nesta rescued Cassian in their book and now, with the release of hofas, has slain a wyrm. These patterns tend to come in threes in Sarah’s writing, like a Welsh triad, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Elain defeated her own wyrm (or better yet, if it yielded to her, like the scaled creatures yielded to Bryce) and she rescued Azriel in their story.

The Starborn blades have been returned to the Night Court for a reason. Nesta has her own trove of blades, and Azriel clearly cannot carry them by himself…

He hasn’t even unlocked the full potential of Truth-Teller’s blade after possessing it for years.

Vesperus, the Asteri in the Prison, makes an interesting comment here that reminds me of the Illyrian brothers’ childhood games. She accuses the Fae of playing with weapons they don’t fully understand. Their minds couldn’t hold all the possibilities at once. But we do know someone whose mind might be able to hold multiple, if not all, possibilities at once: Elain, the seer.

It was Elain who appeared out of nowhere, out of shadow, with Truth-Teller:

She may have opened a portal into nowhere, the void, with her power (which, like the Harp, might influence time and space) while linked to Truth-Teller, allowing her to appear exactly where she was needed, when she was needed to protect her loves ones.

Our damsel made her moment with a legendary weapon count. And it wouldn’t surprise me if we learn that—with her heightened, Cauldron-blessed senses—she can hear the blades singing to each other, tugging at her hidden powers.

And perhaps, when they explore the powers of those legendary blades together, Elain and Azriel will open a portal and travel the space between to places she’s only seen in her dreams.

Because the stars do listen—and dreams are answered.

Special thanks to @willowmeres, @offtorivendell, and @psychologynerd for their inspiring reactions to and thoughts about these connections.

[cesarescabinet]

Here come Welsh Triad titles confusing me like: what does this mean?

Is it freckles? Is it a metaphor I'm missing? I don't know--I haven't found anything about it on my research!

Meanwhile, I guess I'm supposed to take this as it's meant to be taken (for lack of a better term)?

If anybody knows more, I'd be very thankful!

[quidam-sirenae]

Favorite words: welsh edition

1. Caer- fortress- the first word you learn always has a special place in your heart. This was my first word in welsh.

2. Iawn-very- it palatalizes the word in front of it which is so fun. Da iawn is so fun to say. Fawr iawn. Hir iawn. Stormus iawn. Gwen iawn. You can’t go wrong.

3. Pili pala-butterfly- guys this is so cute it’s like butter fly. Yr pili pala? A butter fly? Wonderful. I did some research this word is probably a Latin borrowing.

4. Llyfrgell-library- this is so fun to say thats it.

5. Nghariad- lover, nasally mutated- this is the most wonderful word for a significant other it’s got everything. Possessive mutation. Comes from caru which is already one of my favorite words since it’s devoid from the Latin and Greek expectations of love words. Peredurs love is named the derivation of this in the mabinogi. It sounds fun. 10/10

6. Wledic- lord- this just comes up a lot in Middle Welsh texts. And I like it it sounds like lord so it’s easy for me to recognize and it also shows up as a descriptor in the triads and that’s fun.

7. Cerddoriath-music- find a prettier word for music I dare you. You can’t.

8. Pederfynu- decide- dude this one just shows up in o mi awn mi am dro by fleur de llys and I like that song a lot.

9. Cofia- remember- mostly this one has beautiful mutations. I love nghofia. Beautiful. Gofia? Graceful and wonderful. Chofia? She is my wife.

10. Goch- red, softly mutated- i am an anomaly in that i think the ch sound is so very very pretty. Also i like the way the coch verse sounds in cyfrif’r geifr.

[gawrkin]

The Heroine and the Villainess

You know... going through some modern arthuriana like DC superheroes, John Booreman's Excalibur, Fate Franchise, Mists of Avalon, etc. and seeing Morgan le Fay being made into Mordred's Mother made realize the biggest irony in Arthurian Mythology:

Morgan le Fay and Queen Guinevere switched roles

Originally, Queen Guinevere was the villainess, the traitor wife who willingly married Mordred and, as Layamon says it, "did many sorrows upon the land that [Mordred and Guinevere] lost their souls" In certain tales, like Lanval, she's an actively promiscuous and dishonorable lady even before Mordred's treachery, trying to get noble knights killed if they don't do as she pleases. The Welsh Triads even had her as the Fourth and Worst of the Unfaithful wives of Britain, above even Isolde, Mark's wife and Tristan's lover.

It's so bad John Rhys recorded an old welsh folk rhyme about how awful Guinevere is:

"Gwenhwyfar ferch Gogfran Gawr Dryg yn fechan, gwaeth yn fawr" "Guinevere, daughter of Giant Gofran Bad when little, worse when great"

Meanwhile, Morgan le Fay was originally a benevolent fairy, if not a heroine in her own right. A distant, magical lady who was Arthur's sister, the ruler of a paradisical island, a healer and protectress of heroes.

And ever since Geoffrey of Monmouth, it is Morgan who is Arthur's Savior. Vita Merlini, Didot Percival, Vulgate Cycle, Post Vulgate, Le Morte D'Arthur... all the significant and influential works of the mythos all agree: Morgan comes to Arthur's aid after the final battle of Camlann, rescuing her dying brother and bringing him over to her realm to be healed, and by extention, promises the hope of Arthur's return.

It is Morgan le Fay who ensures the return of the "Once and Future King"

Fast forward a few centuries, and few cultural trends later...

Guinevere became the misunderstood heroine. Someone who is said to be the Most Virtuous Queen, the Best and Greatest Lady living, who did no wrong in loving man who wasn't her husband - who ironically wasn't Mordred, but a new character, Lancelot, the Greatest Knight of all Time, bar Galahad.

Whilst Morgan was turned into an evil, promiscuous sorceress. A vile and heinous woman who harrasses and seduces many knights in her schemes against Arthur's Court, especially the aforementioned Lancelot. In an even more egregious transformation, Modern Arthuriana goes further and associates Morgan with Mordred, typically as his mother, and works with him to bring down Camelot and Arthur.

So in short, the heroine became a villainess and the villainess became a heroine.

And Mordred went from Guinevere's Partner-in-Crime to a mama's boy under Morgan.

[queer-ragnelle]

Welsh Triads | More quotes at Arthuriana Daily

[angelic--kitty]

hi kitty!!! just wanna share a fun fact with you! did you know that peruere might be a corrupted spelling of perweur/perwyr, a welsh name that comes from perweur, one of the three lively maidens of britains in the welsh triad? not only are they pronounced the same way, both clervie and crucabena's names are french versions of names of characters from welsh mythology so it makes sense that perrie's name also comes from welsh mythology. in fact, clervie's name (as creirwy) is also mentioned the welsh triad as one of the three beautiful maidens!

all this time we were thinking arlecchino is french, but in actuality arle's welsh. GLORY TO WALES!!! and nothing for the french

WE HATE THE FRENCH (kidding😊)

this is very cool!! i did not know the origins of the names, so thank you for sharing ♡♡

now to connect the lore....

[liminalpsych]

2. the careless sunlight in her eyes

She was wild and proud when he first saw her. Even clad in gown and jewels, her hair bound, there was a fierceness in her stare and a challenge in the supple strength of her spine.

Men called her lovely, and she was, but not in the wilting-lily way of ballads. She was beautiful like the hunting hawk, beautiful more in spirit than in form. Other women were fairer, with softer skin and finer features. Yet in jewels and gown she was a falcon in golden hood, a creature of the hills with the surest seat on a horse he’d ever seen.

Lancelot loved her from the first. Truly, Arthur was slower to warm. She charmed them both with truth and fire, wit and challenge, a keen eye and a quick tongue. Gwenhwyfar missed little at court or in private conversation, and knew the intricate steps of diplomacy better than the two of them combined.

He bowed as she alighted onto the pier, a smile dawning bright as the morning upon his face. “My lady Gwenhwyfar,” Lancelot said, admiration in his gaze, “King Arthur said you were lovely. He did not convey the half of your beauty.”

Her appraisal was more brazen than his, taking in each detail of his bearing and manner. One russet brow arched as if to mimic the graceful prow of the birlinn ship behind her. “You flatter, sir…?”

“Lancelot,” and he bowed again, this time over her hand. “My liege sends his regrets that he cannot be here himself, and lends my own self to you in his stead.”

“Sir Lancelot.” She tried his name on her tongue, her coastal accent turning it musical. “He should take more care in his messengers; I might change my heart about whom to marry with such handsome flatterers about.”

There was a dryness to her tone and a merry twist to her mouth that belied her words. Lancelot’s grin only broadened. “I praise you on my king’s behalf, my lady. Consider it all from his lips, not mine.”

“Of course. Such a loyal vassal of my future husband you are.” She smiled fully at last, and the brilliance of it unbalanced Lancelot for a long moment. “It speaks well of him. Shall we, sir?”

They said she's lovely as the spring;

Imagine my surprise to find that they were right

And hadn't said the half.

The careless sunlight in her eyes and petals in her hair;

I saw how he could love her, the May Queen standing there.

And in that moment I understood how he could love her

And what they shared would never be for me

I understood, but yet I've never really conquered

That part inside that wishes it had been me

[grail-lifesupport]

Short king Gawain 💖

Extra

kay has a horse (whose name translates to long lasting wine on google translate??)

(welsh triad of horses)

[the-hermit-at-midnight]

Awen: The Spirit of Inspiration in Druidic Tradition

The concept of Awen is a fundamental element in modern Druidry and Celtic spirituality. It represents a divine inspiration or creative spirit that flows through all things, fueling artistic expression, wisdom, and spiritual understanding. Rooted in ancient Welsh traditions and widely embraced by contemporary Druids, Awen encapsulates a profound connection between humanity and the natural world, the divine, and the realms of creativity and knowledge.

Historical Origins and Etymology

The term "Awen" originates from the Welsh language, where it literally means "inspiration" or "muse." Its earliest recorded usage appears in the medieval Welsh literature of the 6th century, notably in the works of the bards and poets. The concept of Awen is closely tied to the figure of the bard in Celtic society—those who were the keepers of history, lore, and cultural wisdom through their poetry and music.

In the Welsh Triads and the works of Taliesin, one of the most renowned bards of the medieval period, Awen is depicted as a divine force that grants poets their insight and creativity. The word itself likely derives from Proto-Celtic *aweno-, which means "inspiration."

Awen in Druidic Tradition

Modern Druidry, which saw a revival in the 18th and 19th centuries and continues to evolve today, places Awen at the heart of its spiritual practice. Druids view Awen as a sacred flow of inspiration that comes from the divine and permeates the universe. It is not only a source of artistic creativity but also a spiritual force that brings wisdom, clarity, and a deep connection to nature.

The Three Rays of Awen

A common symbol associated with Awen in Druidic tradition is the three rays of light. This symbol typically consists of three parallel lines or rays, often depicted radiating from a single source. Each ray represents different aspects of inspiration and spiritual illumination:

1. **The First Ray:** This ray symbolizes the spark of inspiration or the initial creative impulse. It represents the beginning of an idea or the seed of wisdom.

2. **The Second Ray:** This ray stands for the process of development and growth. It is the journey of bringing an idea to fruition, the unfolding of creative and spiritual insight.

3. **The Third Ray:** This final ray signifies completion and manifestation. It is the realization and expression of inspiration in the material world, whether through art, writing, or acts of wisdom.

The Invocation of Awen

Druids often invoke Awen through rituals and ceremonies to seek inspiration and guidance. The chant "Awen" is commonly used, either sung or spoken, to open oneself to the flow of divine inspiration. This practice serves as a meditative and spiritual exercise, aligning the practitioner with the forces of creativity and insight.

The chant of Awen is said to attune the mind and spirit to the deeper currents of the universe, allowing for a clearer reception of inspiration. It can be a solitary practice or part of communal rituals, and it often accompanies other elements of Druidic ceremonies, such as the celebration of seasonal festivals and rites of passage.

Awen and the Arts

In the realm of the arts, Awen is seen as the driving force behind all forms of creative expression. From poetry and music to visual arts and storytelling, artists in the Druidic tradition seek to channel Awen in their work. This creative process is not merely about personal expression but is viewed as a way to connect with the divine and contribute to the cultural and spiritual enrichment of the community.

Awen and Nature

For Druids, nature is a primary source of Awen. The natural world, with its cycles, beauty, and mystery, is a wellspring of inspiration and wisdom. By observing and interacting with nature, Druids believe they can tap into the flow of Awen, gaining insights and understanding that transcend ordinary perception. This deep connection to nature is reflected in the reverence for sacred groves, stones, and other natural sites that are often central to Druidic practice.

Awen remains a central and inspiring concept in modern Druidry and Celtic spirituality. It embodies the divine spark of inspiration that fuels creativity, wisdom, and a profound connection to the world around us. Whether through the arts, nature, or spiritual practice, the pursuit of Awen is a journey toward deeper understanding and harmonious existence with the universe. As Druids continue to celebrate and invoke Awen, they keep alive an ancient tradition that enriches the mind, spirit, and culture, connecting them to a timeless source of inspiration.

[wildbasil]

From one person who is So Normal about Gwyn ap Nudd to another, do you have any recommendations for getting into medieval Welsh literature? I really love what I do know, but I feel like I have no clue where to start beyond the Mabinogi and the Arthurian romances therewith. Any favourite stories or papers you'd recommend? Many thanks and as always I'm So Normal about your depictions of everyone <33

Hi anon! Thanks so much and sorry about the slow reply. YAY another person in the So Normal About Gwyn ap Nudd club!! 🥳🥳🥰 I’m going to embarrass myself now because, to be honest, I mainly only know about Gwyn ap Nudd (a very useful area of expertise). I have a few recommendations, though!

Welsh Triads – a series of texts from a few different manuscripts. They provide a sort of “catalogue” of various legendary and historical figures, places, animals, weapons etc, grouped into threes.

Book of Taliesin – manuscript from the first half of the fourteenth century which includes some of the oldest known Welsh poems, attributed to sixth century poet Taliesin. There are quite a few mentions of figures from the Mabinogi. Also, Haycock's translations.

The ‘Saga Englynion’ – collections of early lyrical poetry, including Canu Llywarch Hen, Canu Urien, Canu Heledd and some misc poems like The Dialogue of Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwyddno Garanhir (wahoooo!)

Gwyn Jones' Oxford Book of Welsh Verse in English is useful too and, if you’ve not read it already and are specifically after Arthurian stuff, Arthur of the Welsh (Bromwich, Jarman, Roberts, and Brynley (eds.)) is a good introduction.

If you want more medieval sources that mention Gwyn ap Nudd, I'm always recommending Dafydd ap Gwilym, my favourite 14th century loser 😌✌️

I hope that’s vaguely helpful. Let me know if the links don’t work!