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Gwrnach Gawr
The Cymric Mabinogion Giant: Exclaiming Man, the Giant
Gwrnach Gawr is a Cymric (Welsh) hero known from the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen where he is a member of the giant race and a ruler in his own right. One of the tasks Culhwch is set in gaining the hand of Olwen is to gain the sword of Gwrnach, which is achieved by Cei and the giant is slain. |
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Cym: Exclaiming Man, the Giant
Gwrnach Gawr (Gwrnach the Giant) is a character in in the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen. In order to gain Olwen's had in marriage Culhwch must complete a series of tasks set by Olwen's father, Ysbaddaden, chief of giants. One of these tasks is to gain the sword of Gwrnach the Giant. Along with Culhwch travel with Cei, Bedwyr, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, Gwalchmei and Menw they travel to the fortress of Gwrnach and Glewlwyd parlays with the porter to gain entry. Of the expected reception it is said that 'no guest returned from there alive and no one may enter unless he brings with him a craft'. Gwrnach says that he is a burnisher of swords and once the embassy is sent Gwrnach invites them in for he is in need of someone to polish his sword. When asked if one of them knows how to burnish swords Cei responds in the affirmative and Gwrnach's sword is brought to him. Cei polishes one side of the sword and tells Gwrnach that he has a companion with a lance whose head will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again. The gate is opened and Bedwyr is allowed to enter. Then the young man with the men without the walls, the only surviving son of Custennin the herdsman caused himself to be allowed in and for this reason his companions called him Goreu (the Best).
By now the sword was polished an Cei presented it to Gwrnach and the giant was pleased. But Cei noted that the sword's scabbard was damaged and caused the sword itself to become rusted. Thus Cei offers to remove its woden sides and replace them with new ones. Taking the sword in one hand and the scabbard in the other Cei stood over the giant and making as if to place the sword in its scabbard he struck the giant's head off instead. Then the company despoiled the castle and returned to the Llys of Arthur bearing with them the sword of Gwrnach Gawr.
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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