#if i catch anybody reading nightbringer its over for u

[gingersnaptaff]

What's your take on the 3 Gwenhwfars of The Hergest Triads?

Hi anon! Now, do you mean as to whether they're like three aspects of the same woman or whether they're separate? Or just... that they are all women who are married to Arthur?

I mean, I do find it funny he married three women who bore the same name. Like that's so fuckin hilarious to me. Did he have it legally mandated that his wives all had to have the same name so he didn't forget it? I won't lie I do find it fascinating that two of the Gwenhwyfar's have some kind of supernatural element to them! Gwenhwyfar the second was Gwythyr app Greidawl who - if you've read Culhwch ac Olwen - gets mentioned as Gwyn ap Nudd's May Day nemesis who batters him to death each year so spring can be sprung. Also, the fact that, y'know, Gwyn stole Creiddylad from him probably put his nose out of joint.

And then u have Gwenhwyfar three whose dad was Ogrfan Fawr, a literal giant. Like sjdjdjd Neato. Although she did start Camlann along with her sister, Gwenhwyfach, so like can't give her all the plaudits there.

As for whether they're like a reflection of some long-lost triple goddess, I don't think so. If they were - and it's a very tenuous if - then why haven't we found records for that? Or some reflection of that from the myths? We know Rhiannon from Branch 1 of the Mabinogi was a goddess, or at the very least an echo of one, so why don't we have that for Gwenhwyfar?

Personally, I can't see it. We only know of Ogrfan's Gwenhwyfar that she was 'bad when little, worse when great.' As for the other two, I don't have anything to go on! The lack of sources is frustrating but I mean at the end of the day I can't be like 'Oh, you shouldn't believe this!' I would just caution that I can't give u a full picture simply because there isn't one!

I think it's fascinating that the triads were like 'Yeah, Arthur had three wives and they're all named the same!' Like he must be one scatter-brained lad if he can't remember names! That detail is just so sjdjssks.

Anyways, hope u have a good day, anon! I'm sorry I couldn't give you much I'm just incredibly hesitant to ascribe things to the three Gwenhwyfar's when I can't give you sources for them!