Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd
Encyclopedia
; "Gwrhyr, Interpreter of Languages" is a hero and shapeshifter
of early Welsh literature
and mythology
and a warrior of King Arthur's
court at Celliwig
. He appears most prominently in the early Arthurian tale Culhwch and Olwen
, in which he is handpicked among Arthur's knights to accompany Culhwch
on his quest to win Olwen
.
, daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden
, Culhwch ap Cilydd
seeks assistance from his cousin Arthur to win her hand in marriage. Arthur agrees to help him, sending six of his many warriors to assist him in his quest
, with Gwrhyr as the fourth. Each warrior has his own unique skill; Gwrhyr described being able to speak every language, including those of the birds and the animals.
He plays a conspicuous part in the tale; he is able to utilise his ability to converse with the oldest animals to free Mabon son of Modron
from his imprisonment, and he is later sent as an emissary to the Twrch Trwyth
whilst in the shape of a bird. The Dream of Rhonabwy
names him as one of Arthur's chief councillors at the Battle of Badon, while the character also appears in the romance Geraint and Enid
, in which he accompanies Geraint ab Erbin
to Cornwall
.
Gwrhyr is also mentioned in the late twelfth century Englynion y Clyweit, a collection of proverbial englyns
attributed to various historical and mythological heroes. The text describes him as "perfect in all languages" and claims that he once sang the proverb "Who practices deceit will be deceived.
ShapeShifter
ShapeShifter is an Application Enhancer plugin for Mac OS X developed by Unsanity that allows the user to make system-wide modifications to the appearance of the operating system's graphical interface by applying GUI skins through “injection” into running code and without modifying system files,...
of early Welsh literature
Welsh literature
Welsh literature may be used to refer to any literature originating from Wales or by Welsh writers:*Welsh-language literature for literature in the Welsh language*Welsh literature in English for literature in the English language...
and mythology
Welsh mythology
Welsh mythology, the remnants of the mythology of the pre-Christian Britons, has come down to us in much altered form in medieval Welsh manuscripts such as the Red Book of Hergest, the White Book of Rhydderch, the Book of Aneirin and the Book of Taliesin....
and a warrior of King Arthur's
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
court at Celliwig
Celliwig
Celliwig, Kelliwic or Gelliwic, is perhaps the earliest named location for the court of King Arthur. It may be translated as 'forest grove'.-Literary references:...
. He appears most prominently in the early Arthurian tale Culhwch and Olwen
Culhwch and Olwen
Culhwch and Olwen is a Welsh tale about a hero connected with Arthur and his warriors that survives in only two manuscripts: a complete version in the Red Book of Hergest, ca. 1400, and a fragmented version in the White Book of Rhydderch, ca. 1325. It is the longest of the surviving Welsh prose...
, in which he is handpicked among Arthur's knights to accompany Culhwch
Culhwch
Culhwch , in Welsh mythology, is the son of Cilydd son of Celyddon and Goleuddydd, a cousin of Arthur and the protagonist of the story Culhwch and Olwen...
on his quest to win Olwen
Olwen
In Welsh mythology, Olwen is the daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden and cousin of Goreu. She is the heroine of the story Culhwch and Olwen in the Mabinogion....
.
Role in Welsh tradition
After being cursed by his stepmother so that he marry no one but OlwenOlwen
In Welsh mythology, Olwen is the daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden and cousin of Goreu. She is the heroine of the story Culhwch and Olwen in the Mabinogion....
, daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden
Ysbaddaden
; "Ysbaddaden, Chief of Giants," is the primary antagonist of the Welsh romance Culhwch ac Olwen. A vicious giant residing in a nigh on unreachabe castle, he is the father of Olwen and uncle of Goreu fab Custennin...
, Culhwch ap Cilydd
Culhwch
Culhwch , in Welsh mythology, is the son of Cilydd son of Celyddon and Goleuddydd, a cousin of Arthur and the protagonist of the story Culhwch and Olwen...
seeks assistance from his cousin Arthur to win her hand in marriage. Arthur agrees to help him, sending six of his many warriors to assist him in his quest
Quest
In mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and as a symbol. Quests appear in the folklore of every nation and also figure prominently in non-national cultures. In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and...
, with Gwrhyr as the fourth. Each warrior has his own unique skill; Gwrhyr described being able to speak every language, including those of the birds and the animals.
Mabon
Mabon may refer to:*Mabon , the Autumnal equinox in some versions of the Wheel of the Year*Mabyn or Mabon, an early Cornish saint*Mabon ap Modron, a figure in Welsh Arthurian legend-People with the name:...
from his imprisonment, and he is later sent as an emissary to the Twrch Trwyth
Twrch Trwyth
Twrch Trwyth is an enchanted wild boar in the Arthurian legend. The hunt for Twrch Trwyth by King Arthur was the subject of a popular stock narrative in medieval Welsh literature...
whilst in the shape of a bird. The Dream of Rhonabwy
The Dream of Rhonabwy
The Dream of Rhonabwy is a Middle Welsh prose tale. Set during the reign of Madog ap Maredudd, prince of Powys , it is dated to the late 12th or 13th century. It survives in only one manuscript, the Red Book of Hergest, and has been associated with the Mabinogion since its publication by Lady...
names him as one of Arthur's chief councillors at the Battle of Badon, while the character also appears in the romance Geraint and Enid
Three Welsh Romances
The Three Welsh Romances are three Middle Welsh tales associated with the Mabinogion. They are versions of Arthurian tales that also appear in the work of Chrétien de Troyes. Critics have debated whether the Welsh Romances are based on Chrétien's poems or if they derive from a shared original...
, in which he accompanies Geraint ab Erbin
Geraint
Geraint is a character from Welsh folklore and Arthurian legend, a king of Dumnonia and a valiant warrior. He may have lived during or shortly prior to the reign of the historical Arthur, but some scholars doubt he ever existed...
to Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
.
Gwrhyr is also mentioned in the late twelfth century Englynion y Clyweit, a collection of proverbial englyns
Englyn
Englyn is a traditional Welsh and Cornish short poem form. It uses quantitative metres, involving the counting of syllables, and rigid patterns of rhyme and half rhyme. Each line contains a repeating pattern of consonants and accent known as cynghanedd.- The Eight Types :There are eight types of...
attributed to various historical and mythological heroes. The text describes him as "perfect in all languages" and claims that he once sang the proverb "Who practices deceit will be deceived.