Welsh Journals

transformed into bundles of fern. That, says the Vita, is why the place called "Tref redinauc, that is fern homestead. Also that ford, about which the pleading took place, is called Rith Guurtebou." Tref Redinauc is the modern Tredunnock near Newbridge-on-Usk. As to Rith Guurtebou (The Ford of Pleadings), or as it would read in modern Welsh, Rhyd Gwrthebau, I have been unable to trace the name, but some major spot near the Usk bridge at Newbridge would seem to be meant. Moving on to about 11009, we come across Culhwch and Olwen, one of the stories included in the Mabinogion and the oldest surviving Arthurian tale in Welsh (those already referred to being in Latin)1 °. Having hunted the Twrch Trwyth (a king transformed into a great boar) from Ireland and through Dyfed, Arthur and his men burst into our corner of the world: "And then Llwydawg (one of Twrch Trwyth's band of fierce boars') went on to Ystrad Yw. And there the men of Llydaw (Brittany) met with him, and he then slew Hir Peisawg king of Llydaw, and Llygadrudd Emys and Gwrfoddw, Arhtur's uncles, his mother's brothers." 1 Ystrad Yw is today represented by the village of Llanbedr Ystradwy near Crickhowell, but the name once covered a much wider area including the parishes of Crickhowell, Llanbedr Ystradwy and Patrisio, Llanfihangel Cem-Du and Tretower, Llangattock and Llangenny, Llanelly and Llangynidr and Brynmawr.1 2 It is possible that the Norman administrative unit Strat D'Eue^3 was centred on Tretower. At this point in the chase Arthur appears to be finally at the end of his tether: "And Arthur said to the Warriors of this Island: "Twrch Trwyth has slain many of my men. By the valour of men, not while I am alive shall he go into Cornwall. I will pursue him no further, but I will join with him life for life (i.e. fight to the death). You do what you will." And by his counsel a body of horsemen was sent, and the dogs of the Island with them, as far as Ewyas, and they beat back thence to the Severn, and they waylaid him there with what tried warriors there were in this Island, and drove him by sheer force into Severn between Llyn Lliwan and Aber Gwy."14 Ewyas refers of course to Dyffry Ewyas, Ewyas Vale, where Llanthony Priory now stands. Aber Gwy (The Mouth of the Wye) speaks for itself, perhaps Beachley Point is the spot referred to in the tale. Unfortunately for Arthur the great boar does reach Cornwall before being chased into the sea by the fastest hounds in the world, Aned and Aethlem. Nothing more is heard of all three. Llyn Lliwan presents something of a problem. It is obvious from the passage above that this lake (llyn) is somewhere near the Severn, and in an earlier episode in the tale the Salmon of Llyn Llyn (an) guides Cei and