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Culhwch ap Cilydd, a MythSource painting
Welsh

Culhwch ap Cilydd

01Identity

Culhwch ap Cilydd in Welsh tradition

At Arthur's court, a visitor asks for a boon and chooses a blessing for his hair. Later in the quest, Culhwch and his companions go to Yspaddaden's castle and demand Olwen, offering her dower and maiden fee. Her father delays his answer to consult his elders. The later quest takes Arthur's company through a series of tasks: they travel to free Mabon from imprisonment, while other companions enter Ireland and carry off a cauldron. The pursuit of Twrch Trwyth brings another task: Arthur's host follows the boar through Cornwall until the comb is secured and the animal is driven into the sea. Yspaddaden dies after the tasks are completed, and Olwen becomes Culhwch's bride that night. These scenes belong to Culhwch's quest as told in Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 English Mabinogion.

SourceThe Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 222· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 234· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 248· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 252· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 257· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Kilhwch and Olwen, p. 258

Top questions

The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Culhwch ap Cilydd

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Culhwch's quest for Olwen

Arthur promises a boon to a visitor, who asks that his hair be blessed. In other scenes, Culhwch and his companions arrive at Yspaddaden's castle and demand Olwen as his bride. They offer her dower and maiden fee, and threaten Yspaddaden if he refuses. He delays his answer to consult his elders; the tale then follows Arthur's company through a series of demanding quests.

Arthur's company goes to Gloucester to free Mabon, who has been imprisoned. Kai and Bedwyr climb onto the fish's shoulders while the warriors attack the castle; Kai breaks through its wall and carries Mabon from the dungeon. In Ireland, Bedwyr takes a cauldron and Llenlleawg Wyddel seizes Caledvwlch. Arthur's men defeat the Irish company and carry away the vessel. Later, Arthur's host pursues Twrch Trwyth through Cornwall. They secure the comb before the boar is driven out into the sea. Once the tasks are done, Goreu kills Yspaddaden and places his head on a stake at the castle. That night, Olwen becomes Culhwch's bride.

Culhwch's quest for Olwen, a MythSource painting of the scene

6 sources· checked 2026-09-28

  1. 1The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  2. 2The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  3. 3The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  4. 4The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  5. 5The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  6. 6The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1