Gwrach-y-Rhibyn: a Cymric Folkloric Figure (Hag of the Line)

Synonyms:
Cym: Hag of the Tattered Vestments

The Gwrach y Rhibyn is a spectral entity of Cymric folklore, and is most especially connected with the region of Ceredigion (Cardigan). This night-hag, according to folkloric tradition, never troubles incomers, only those families those whose ancestors have for long generations lived in the same place; in other words. She is often described as having long black hair, black eyes, and a swarthy countenance. Sometimes one of her eyes is grey and the other black. Both are deeply sunken and piercing. Her back was crooked, her figure was very thin and spare, and her pigeon-breasted bust was concealed by a sombre scarf. Her trailing robes were black. She was sometimes seen with long flapping wings that fell heavily at her sides, and occasionally she went flying low down along watercourses, or around hoary mansions. Frequently the flapping of her leathern bat-like wings could be heard against the window-panes.

Near a small creek that runs into the land from Oxwich Bay stand the ruins of Pennard Castle, which was built on the site of a stronghold of Danish rovers. The castle was the property of a Norman lord, and the old story goes that it was built in a single night by a Welsh sorcerer, who in this way saved his life from threatened imprisonment and assassination by the Normans. Around this castle the Gwrach-y-rhibyn often wandered, and was seen and heard by people so late as the first half of the nineteenth century. People along the country-side used formerly to say that if anybody slept for the night among the ruins of Pennard Castle he would be bewitched. It was solemnly stated that centuries ago a man once slept in the ruins after being told not to do so. During the night, the Gwrach-y-rhibyn attacked him violently, and almost "left him for dead." He was found in the morning quite unconscious, with bruises on his body, scratches upon his face, and other evidences of maltreatment. When he "came to himself" he described the terrible appearance of the hag who attacked him, and said she "clawed" him just as an eagle might have done. Then she "pecked" at his body and beat him. The man went home to Carmarthen and ever afterwards was bewitched, as the people near Pennard Castle said be would be "for all time."

The Caerffili swamp, through which the stream Nant-y-Gledyr flows, was frequented by the Gwrach-y-rhibyn. This swamp, when the river was dammed up, formed a lake, and was used for the defence of the fortress-castle of Caerphilly, where the powerful De Cares dwelt. In the last half of the eighteenth century the hag was seen by many living in the district. An old man, who remembered his father's version of the story, said that in rainy seasons the stream overflowed the marshy ground, and from the midst of the lake formed thereby, the Gwrach-y-rhibyn arose, and dipped herself up and down in the water. From her bat-like wings, her long black hair, and talon-like fingers the water dropped sparkling in the moonlight. Each time she arose from the water she would wring her hands and moan, or utter a long-drawn wail, or a groan which was terrible to hear. Then, suddenly flapping her wings, she would fly to the castle and take refuge within its walls. Boys and men were known to watch the hag, and used every endeavour to catch her, but without success. The old man said his father had seen her several times, and was afraid of the rainy weather and the gloomy swamp. Sometimes the hag wandered up and down beside the stream in dry weather.

She is nearer to the Cailleach Bheare/Bheur than the usual Sidhe-woman of Irish tradition. She always warns of a death and, like the Washer of the Ford, is often encountered at a crossroad or stream.

The etymology of the Gwrach y Rhibyn's name has proved to be somewhat problematic, though the first part of the name 'Gwrach y' is easily translated as 'hag of the' the second part of the name 'Rhibyn' has no direct counterpart in most of the Welsh dictionaries and the closest spelling is rhibin (line, row, streak, strip). However, in South-east Wales is looks as if this word took the form rhibyn during the eighteenth century (being used for stretch or string). In the south-west this word seems to have been used for strips of cloth (this is where the legends of the Gwrach-y-Rhibyn originate from). This term probably refers to the tattered clothing of the Hag (ie dishevelled clothes hanging in long strips). Thus the most likely translation of Gwrach-y-Rhibyn is 'Hag of the Tattered Vestments'; describing her appearance.

If you would like to try the foods of the time of the ancient Celts, then why not have a look at the ancient recipes section of this site. For the foods of the time when some of these tales were written down, take a look at the Medieval recipes section of the site and, in particular, the recipes from The Forme of Cury.

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