The Development of Arthurian Romance

the natural motivation and the concern with practical problems of conduct show that the unknown author lived in a very different world from that inhabited by the author of Kulhwch

the geography of the Lady of the Fountain and Peredur evinces none of that precise knowledge of Wales and its borders as do the two tales previously discussed

We have already met Twrch Trwyth as the boar Troit in Nennius’s list of mirabilia; and Arthur’s hunting of the beast from its lair in Ireland

They still kept in touch, though, with their cousins, the Welsh and Cornish

contact with their French-speaking neighbours

the Matter of Britain originated in the blending of historic reminiscences of a British battle-leader with a highly fanciful mythological tradition going back to pagan times

The vessel, tended by nine maidens, had the property of testing the mettle of warriors, for it would not boil meat for a coward.

Highly significant is the presence among Arthur’s warriors of three Celtic deities. Mabon is Apollo Maponos, worshipped in pre-Christian Britain. Manawidan son of Llyr is the Welsh counterpart of the Irish sea-god Manannan son of Ler. Lluch Llauynnauc, there is good reason to believe, was similarly derived from the Irish god of sun and storm, Lugh or Luch Lamhfada.

exalted above all the rest of Arthur’s retinue as a destroyer of lions and witches

Welsh poems of the tenth or the eleventh century