Gwrhyr

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Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd ("Gwrhyr, the language connoisseur") is a legendary figure in Welsh mythology .

mythology

Gwrhyr is in the legend of Culhwch ac Olwen ("The story of Culhwch and Olwen") a hero at the court of King Arthur , who can change his shape at will and speaks all languages, including those of animals. He is chosen to help the king solve the tasks set by the giant Ysbaddaden , Olwen's father , Culhwch and Arthur. One of them is to find and free Mabon .

Since Mabon was stolen and imprisoned three days after his mother's birth, but he is absolutely needed, Arthur Gwrhyr has the location of this prison investigated by asking the oldest animals in the world ( blackbird , deer , owl , eagle and salmon ). Together with Kei, he can now free Mabon from Caer Loyw ( Gloucester ). In the form of a bird, Gwrhyr then scouts the boar Twrch Trwyth , whose ridge must be conquered. But the boar refuses to speak to him and only sends his son Grugyn Gwrychereint " Silberbristle ", who declares war on the pursuers.

“By the one who gave us this shape! We're not going to do anything or talk to Arthur. It is enough of evil that God has done to us in giving us this form, even if you do not come to fight us. [...] Tomorrow morning we will set out from here and come to Arthur's land to wreak the greatest mischief we are capable of. "

In the short story Breuddwyd Rhonabwy ("Rhonabwy's Dream") he is one of the advisors to King Arthur before the Battle of Camlann . In Gereint fab Erbin ("Gereint, the son of the heiress") he accompanies Gereint to Cornwall . The saying in Englynion y Clyweid ("The sayings of the wise") is said to come from Gwrhyr : "He who cheats will be cheated."

See also

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Ingeborg Clarus: Celtic myths. Man and his otherworld. P. 294.
  2. ↑ Helmut Birkhan: Celtic stories from the emperor Arthur. Part 2, p. 84.
  3. ↑ Englynion y Clyweid - "The Proverbs of the Wise," in Celtic Literature Collective.