Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Story of Llew Llaw Gyffes


"This is the story of Llew Llaw Gyffes, the Lion with a Sure Hand. He is given three Tyngedau (Fate or destinies), following the three stages of a man and the three ways in which the Divine Masculine would present himself to mortals, as Youth, Warrior and Sage.

The Triad

This is my re-telling of the tale of Llew Llaw Gyffes. The tale in it’s entirety can be found in the Mabinogion. The collection of Welsh legends translated by Lady Charlotte Guest. I first heard this story as a child. Then it was told to me in Welsh and that is how I remember it best. I have re-read the story from the English version to refresh my memory and to help me here.

The Triad mentioned is from other sources. The ancient Bards would use two forms of Triad. One type held a store of wisdom, others were used as mnemonics, to remind the bard of the tale he is to tell. The latter type is the one quoted.

Among the “Trioedd Ynys Prydain” (The Triads of the Island of Britain) is written this;

“Three disloyal households of the Island of Prydain;

The household of Gronw Pebyr of Penllyn who refused to stand in place of their lord to receive the poisoned darts from Llew Llaw Gyffes in Lech Goronwy in Blaen Cynfael; and the household of Gwrgi and Peredur, who deserted their lords at Caer Greu, when there was appointment for battle next morning against Eda Glinmaur, and they were both slain; and the third, the household of Alan Fyrgan, who returned back by stealth from their lord, on the road at night with his servants at Camlan, and there he was slain.”"



Click to read in its entirety. 

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