Rhonabwy's Dream

Rhonabwy's Dream is, in the author's own words at the end of the tale, a literary tale foremost and not a written version of a pre-existing oral narrative, as with most prior tales of the Mabinogion. The story opens in the 'real world' with Madog, son of Maredudd, sending warriors to hunt down his violent brother, Iorwerth, and his warband. Splitting up across the commots, this leads a trio of warriors to Didlystwn in their search, where they had to seek shelter from Heilyn Goch. The three men were Rhonabwy, Cynwrig Frychgoch and Cadwgan Fras. The house was in dire condition, full of refuse, grime and lice. Rhonabwy settled for an ox-skin bed, which induced in him the most unusual dream. In his dream he, and his two companions, meet with Iddog Cordd Prydain, Idogg the "Agitator". He reveals that he was once the messenger between Emperor Arthur and his nephew, Medrawd and that he deliberately miscommunicated the messages between the two, which led to the Battle of Camlann, where many good men, including Arthur himself, died, for which Iddog had sought redemption and was eventually forgiven for the transgression. He then leads the trio towards the encampment of Arthur himself, in this world populated with fallen heroes. Many important figures of Arthur's retinue are not only alive in this dream world, but are often graced with supernatural visage. They learn that Arthur's camp is preparing to do battle against Osla Gyllellfawr. Arthur's group also includes many men from foreign lands, with March (Mark) leading men from Norway, and Edern leading men from Denmark, and they are joined by men from Greece. Arthur, however, shows disappointment when met by Rhonabwy, Cynwrig and Cadwgan, believing such men unable to live up to the task of protecting Britain in the stead of such men as he had known in life. The emperor wore a special ring with a stone upon it, that Iddog encouraged Rhonabwy to look upon - this done, Iddog explains that it would allow Rhonabwy to remember the dream of Arthur when he woke up. Arthur's camp moved towards Osla's, but would come to a stop to begin their final preparations. During this, Arthur challenged Owain to a game of gwyddbwyll - but this escalates into a real battle between Arthur's squires and Owain's ravens, eventually ending with both sides slaughtered until they finally ended their game, when Arthur crushed the pieces of the board. Following this, twenty-four riders arrived from Osla to seek a truce for a month and a fortnight. Arthur sought counsel from his men, under the guidance of Rhun. But it was the young Cadyriaith who gave the winning counsel - they should pay the poets with tribute and accept the truce. Cai (Kay) declares those that are to be with Arthur should join him in Cornwall that very night and with this great uproar, Rhonabwy was awoken, finding he had slept for three whole days and nights.
== The Mabinogion ==
=== The House of Heilyn Goch ===
Madog, son of Maredudd, was the ruler was Powys (Madog was a real ruler of Powys in 1130-1160, as was his brotherPage 275, Explanatory Notes, ), from Porffordd (now Pulford)to Gwafan in the uplands of Arwystli (a cantref in now Montgomeryshire). Madog had a brother named Iorwerth, but his rank was not equal to Madog's and he became saddened a jealous that Madog should be given so much power and status and Iorwerth given so little. He asked his friends and foster-brothers on what he should do, to which they suggested Madog should pay for maintenance. When Iorwerth approached Madog, Madog offered his brother position at the head of his retinue and a place of equal standing with himself. Iorwerth, however, refused this and instead he went raiding across England, where he murdered folk, burnt houses and took prisoners. In response, Madog placed a hundred men in every third commot of Powys to search for Iorwerth. They regarded Rhychdir Powys (the land around today's Oswestry, 'rhychdir' meaning 'arable') the most likely target, from Aber Ceiriog (a river flowing into the River Dee, which runs through England and Wales by today's boundaries) near Halictwn (Halton near Chirk) as far as Rhyd Wilfre ('rhyd' meaning 'ford') on the River Efyrnwy, as equal to the three best commots in the land due to the arable land needed to sustain a warband. The men split up as far as Didlystwn (Dudleston), a small town. On this quest was a man named Rhonabwy. He was joined by Cynwrig Frychgoch (meaning 'freckled and red'), a man from Mawddwy, and Cadwgan Fras (meaning 'stout'), a man from Moelfre in Cynllaith. They came to the house of Heilyn Goch ('heilyn' meaning 'red', probably in reference to hair colour), son of Cadwgan son of Iddon, and asked for lodgings. The building was a very black, old house with a straight gable end and plenty of smoke emanating from it. The floor was uneven and full of holes and the men could hardly walk else they would slip on the floor due to the dung and pissPage 214, Rhonabwy's Dream, . At the end of the hall was a bare, dusty dais board and a hag stoking a fire on one of the dais. She used chaff on the fire, which burnt the nostrils of the men. On the other dais was yellow ox-skinPage 215, Rhonabwy's Dream, (in Irish mythology, sleeping on ox-skin was often the precursor to an event, especially a dream. Overall, this description is likely a low social class house where people would share space with animals).
The trio asked the hag when the owners of the house would return, but she only spoke to them gruffly and dismissively. Soon, they arrive. A red-haired, balding, wizened man with a bundle of sticks on his back. A skinny, grey-haired woman with a bundle of sticks under her arm. The couple gave the men an equally cold welcome as the hag had done. The woman set a fire for them and cooked for them - barley bread with cheese and watered-down milk. Due to the sudden poor weather outside, everyone had trouble going outside to relieve themselves. They decided to try to sleep, but their allocated spot was dusty, flea-infested straw-ends, mixed with bits of twig as the cattle had eaten much of the straw. They had a grey-red blanket, threadbare and full of holes. A half-empty pillow with a filthy cover on top of the sheet. In this, they went to sleep. While his two friends managed to sleep through this, Rhonabwy could not and he decided to try to sleep on the ox-skin instead.
=== Iddog, the Agitator of Britain ===
He dreamt. In this dream, he and his companions were travelling across Maes Argyngroeg and their destination seemed to be Rhyd-y-groes on the River Hafren. He heard a commotion and turned to see a yellow-haired young man with a freshly trimmed beard. He rode a yellow and green horse, with its legs from the kneecap down being green. The rider wore a tunic of yellow brocaded silk, embroidered with green thread and he possessed a gold-hilted sword with a sheath of new Cordovan leather and a thong of deerskin with a clasp of gold. Over all this he wore a mantle of yellow brocaded silk, embroidered with green silk, and the fringes of the mantle were green. The yellow of both man and horse was as well as the broom and the green as green as pine-trees. Rhonabwy and his companions fled, but when the horse breathed in, the three men were drew in too, pulled to the horse's chest. They begged the man for mercy. The man asked them not to be afraid and told them that he was Iddog, son of Mynio, but that he is more commonly known by his nickname of Iddog Cordd Prydain (the "Agitator of Britain"Page 277, Explanatory Notes, ). Rhonabwy asked why he was called this. Iddog explained he was one of the messengers between Emperor Arthur and his nephew Medrawd at the Battle of Camlan. While in that role, he was a high-spirited young man early to fight and so he stirred up trouble between the two parties in his duties as messenger. When Arthur would relay imploring and beautiful words to Medrawd, Iddog deliberately altered the words into a more hurtful and abrasive version of the message. Because of this, the Battle of Camlan ensued and he earnt his nickname. However, he left the battle three nights before its end and came to Y Llech Las (the "Grey Rock") in Prydain (in "Pictland", today Scotland) to do penance. He did this for seven years and was eventually shown mercyPage 216, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
=== Meeting Arthur and his Host ===
Then there was an even louder commotion than there had been a moment ago and another stranger approached them. This was a young man with red-blonde hair, but yet no facial hair, with the appearance of a nobleman as he rode a tall horse. The horse was bright yellow all over and the man wore a clothes of red brocaded silk, embroidered with yellow silk and the fringes of the mantle were yellow. The yellow was as bright as the brightest bloom and the red as bright as blood. The young man approached and asks Iddog who the trio were, to which Iddog simply explained that they were friends. That was enough for the man and he rode away, so Rhonabwy asked who he was. Rhuawn Bebyr (Rhuawn the Radiant, one of the Three Fortunate Prince of Britain) son of Deorthach Wledig (appears as "Dorath" in Arthur's Court List)was the responsePage 217, Rhonabbwy's Dream, . 
They rode through Argyngroeg to Rhyd-y-groes on the Hafran. As they neared the ford, they found a great host mustering in tents on either side of the road. They found Arthur himself there, with Bedwin the Bishop on one side and Gwarthegydd (the "Cattleraider" was killed in the previous story How Culhwch Won Olwen, by Twrch Trwyth), son of Caw, on the other. There was a tall, auburn-haired youth beside them, wearing a tunic and cape of brocaded black silk, with pale white skin and jet black hair. Iddog brought his new friends to meet with the Arthur and this host. Arthur asks where Iddog found these "little men", to which Iddog responds up on the hill. Arthur seems to laugh with contempt and says that he feels so sad that the Island of Britain should be defended by such scum as these men after it was protected by such great warriors before. Iddog asks Rhonabwy if he could see the stone in the ring of the emperor's hand, to which Rhonabwy affirmed. Iddog states that now, because he saw the stone, he would remember the events he saw here, if he had not seen the stone he would have forgotten. When contingent came up along the river, Iddog told the trio that they were Rhuawn Bebyr and his heroic warriors. The men are given much, including the right to sleep with the daughters of the kings of Britain without complaint, for in each battle they lead and bring up the rear. The men appeared as blood red to Rhonabwy and if one of them should break from the bulk, that man would appear like a column of fire that rose into the sky. Another unit rode up, this all white as a lily and jet black, recognising the man from earlier. He rode his horse in such a manner that the water splashed so fervently and soaked Arthur and Bedwin. A young man with Arthur smacked the hose on the nostrils, at which the rider half-drew his sword and demanded explanation for the offence. Thee man cautions that it was an act of advice, that he had no right to splash Arthur, of all men. The rider relented and agreed, at which he rode back to his unit. Iddog told Rhonabwy that this was Addaon (sometimes named "Afaon", one of the Three Bull-Chieftains, Three Battle-Rulers and his death is one of the Three Unfortunate Slaughters of the Island of Britain), son of Taliesin, and then that the lad with Arthur was a stubborn young man named Elphin, son of Gwyddno. Another then approached the host. He was a handsome man with bold and eloquent speech, as he spoke that it was most unusual that such a huge host could be confined to such a small area. He also argued that it was strange that they had all agreed to battle with Osla Gyllellfawr (Osla "Big Knife" was an ally of Arthur in the hunt for Twrch Twryth in How Culwch Won Olwen, but here is his enemy) at the Battle of Badon by noon, yet none had yet moved. Arthur agreed to the point and the host began to move. When asked of this man, Iddog told the trio that this was Caradog Freichfras (Caradog "Strong Arm"), son of Llŷr Marini, chief advisor and nephew to ArthurPage 218, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
==== Gathering of Heroes ====
As the host started to move for Cefn Digoll (Long Mountain, near WelshpoolPage 278, Explanatory Notes, ), Iddog took Rhonabwy behind him on his own horse. When they were partially across the Hafran, they turned to look across the valley. They saw another mighty host there, where each man wore a mantle of white brocaded silk with black fringes. The horses were all white, save for their forelegs down, which were black. Their banners were white with black tips. Iddog explained they were men of Norway, led by March, son of Meirchawn (this is King Mark, usually associated with Tristran and Cornwall. He is one of the Three Seafarers/Fleet Owners, which might be the reason he leads men from Scandinavia in the dream, as they were known for their seafaring). March is Arthur's cousin. Another troop was all black, with white fringes, the very inverse of the first troop. Likewise, the horses were all black, except their white forelegs. These were men of Denmark, led by Edern, son of Nudd (a significant character from both How Culhwch Won Olwen and Geraint son of Erbin, though never before with Danes). By the time these two armies reached Arthur, he had camped at Caer Faddon. There was another great commition and Rhonabwy saw there seemed to be a man on the edge of the host, then in the midst of the host and then a man riding upon a horse was seen. This man and his horse wore white-ringed chain-mail, though its rivets were red. Rhonabwy asked who it was that appeared to be retreating. Iddog cautioned Rhonabwy to be careful lest he seem to insinuate that Arthur was retreating, as the emperor has never retreated and Rhonabwy would be slain for the mere suggestion. However, he clarifies that the man on horseback is Cai (Kay, who appears in many tales), the fairest man in Arthur's retinue. The man at the edge of the host is rushing in to see Cai ride, while the man in the midst is retreating so that he is not hurt by the horsePage 219, Rhonabwy's Dream, . When Cadwr, earl of Cornwall, was then summoned to Arthur, he approached with Arthur's own sword. The sword had the image of two serpents upon it and when Cadwr drew the sword from its sheath, it was as though two jets of flame burst from the jaws of those serpents and it was hard to gaze upon. When the earl went into the tent, the commotion died out again. Iddog told Rhonabwy that it was Cadwr's duty dress the king for battlePage 220, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
=== Arthur's Squires and Owain's Ravens ===
Then a servant of Arthur's was summoned, an ugly man with a bristling red moustache, who rode a large, red horse with its mane parted either side. The man was named Eiryn Wych Amheibyn (Eiryn the Splendid, son of Peibyn), and the horse was laden with a heavy, but handsome, load. The servant paused before Arthur and dismounted. From the load be retrieved a mantle of damasked, brocaded silk and laid it upon the ground, using red-gold apples at the corners to hold it down. He then lifted a golden chair from the horse and placed it at the centre of the mantle. The chair was so large that three grown men could have seated comfortably upon it. The mantle itself bore the name of Gwen (One of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, comparable to the mantle used by Caswallon in the Second Branch, while Gwen was also mentioned in How Culhwch Won Olwen) and was a special mantle that could grant the wearer invisibility from those that would look upon them, but those within the mantle could still see out. The mantle could not carry any external colour save for the colour it was made as. The king sat upon the chair and stood by him was Owain (son of Urien, hero in the tale of The Lady of the Well). Arthur asked Owain if he would like to play gwyddbwyll (chess-like game used several times in the Mabinogion). As the king and his knight played gwyddbwyll, a young squire emerged from a white, red-topped tent - with an image of a pure black serpent's head and red tongue upon it. He had curly blonde hair, blue eyes and had a young beard. He wore a tunic and surcoat of brocaded silk and stockings of greenish-yellow cloth on his feet. Over the stockings he wore buskins of speckled Cordovan leather (considered the highest quality leather available) and clasps of gold about the ankles. He had a gold-hilted, heavy, triple-grooved sword with a sheath of black Cordovan leather and the tip of the sheath was red-gold. The squire went to the game and addressed Owain. Owain was surprised that he would be greeted, but not the emperor himself, but Arthur assured Owain the squire had greeted him earlier and the message was for Owain, not himself. The young man reports that the emperor's own squires are currently brawling with Owain's ravens - Owain here having literal battle-ravens in this dream, the raven being his symbol - and asks if they do not have Owain's permission to fight, he should ask the emperor to call off his squires. Owain asked the emperor, and the emperor declared it was Owain's move. A second game ensued, but during the game another approached. A young, ruddy-faced lad with curly auburn hair, well-built and a trimmed beard. He came from a tent with the image of a bright red lion. He wore a tunic of brocaded silk down his calf, embroidered with red silk, and stockings of thin, white linen. Over the stockings he had black buskins of Cordovan leather. He carried a sword that was large, heavy, triple-grooved and a sheath of red deerskin with a gold tip. The lad went straight to Arthur and Owain was frustrated at not being greeted at all, but Arthur was just as nonchalant as before. The squire turned to Owain and asked if it is against his will that his ravens are still being attacked by Arthur's squires, wounding and killing them, and if so, he must beg the king to call them off. Owain asked, again, that Arthur call off his squires. Arthur again declared "your move" to Owain. A third game began and this time, even as the first move is being made, there is a tent near them, larger than all the others, mottled yellow with the image of an eagle of gold upon it. precious stones in the eagle's head. From that tent came another squirePage 221, Rhonabwy's Dream, . He has bright yellow hair and is fair-faced and graceful. He wore a mantle of brocaded silk with a golden pin on the right shoulder. Two stockings on his feet of thin totnes cloth (type of cloth from the town of Totnes in England) and two speckled Cordovan leather shoes with golden clasps. He had a white, rosy-cheeked face and large, hawk-like eyes. He carried a thick, yellow-speckled spear with newly sharpened head. One the spear was a conspicuous banner. He came over to Emperor Arthur and Sir Owain angrily. He greeted Owain and told him that the most notable of his ravens had been killed and those that were not killed were so badly wounded they would be incapable of raising their wings. Owain quickly asked the emperor to call off his men, but Arthur simply replied for Owain to play on, if he wished it. Owain ordered the squire to raise the raven banner where the battle was at its thickest and allow God's will to be donePage 222, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
The squire raised the banner and the ravens flew up into the sky around the banner to allow the wind to restore them to battle-prowess. With renewed vigour, the ravens flew down upon the men that had done them harm and they gouged out eyes, snapped off body parts and even severed heads, carrying away their victims and their bloodied trophies. The noises of the ravens and the screaming of men was just as terrifying to Arthur as it was to Owain as it carried out above them. Then a rider approached them, his horse being a very strange colour (it is unclear what about the horse's colours are so much stranger than the colours of other horses already described) - dapple-grey with its right foreleg bright red and from the top of its legs to the top of its hoof, bright yellow. The rider and his horse were dressed in strange, heavy armour. Thee horse's coverings, from the front pommel to the saddle, was of bright red sendal (thin, light silk), and from the pommel downwards was bright yellow sendal. The young man held a gold-hilted, one-edged sword upon his thigh and a new bright-green sheath with a tip of Spanish latten (copper alloy, in this case probably brassPage 279, Explanatory Notes, ). The belt for the sword was rough, black Cordovan leather with gilded cross-pieces and a clasp of ivory with a pure black tongue. Upon his head he wore a helmet with precious, valuable stones in it and on the top of the helmet was the image of a yellow-red leopard with two red stones in its head that terrified even the most hardy of warriors to look at. He held a spear with a long, heavy green shaft and from its hilt upwards it was crimson-red with the blood of the ravens and their feathers. The squire approached Arthur wearily and reported that Owain's ravens were killing Arthur's squires, so Arthur asked Owain to call them off. Owain simply replied that it was Arthur's move and the squire rode back to the battle with the raven still unrestrained. As they played, the ravens pulled men into the air and tore them apart, allowing body parts to fall to the ground. From the commotion came another rider, upon a pale white horse, the horse's left foreleg was pure black. The rider and the horse were dressed in heavy, green armour. He wore a cloak of yellow damasked silk with yellow trim. On the squire's left thigh was a long, heavy, triple-grooved sword, with a sheath of engraved, red leather and the belt of new, red deerskin, with many gold cross-pieces and a clasp made of whalebone with a pure black tongue. He wore a helmet with magic sapphires in it and the image of a yellow-red lion, with a foot-long red tongue and crimson-red, poisonous eyes. He carried a stout spear with the bloody head upon its and silver rivets. The squire greeted the emperorPage 223, Rhonabwy's Dream, . He reported that the squires have been killed, the sons of the noblemen of the Island of Britain are also dead and the land will be unprotected. Arthur told Owain to call off the ravens, but Owain replied simply "your move". So, their game began again. Weapons fells to the ground from the men killed by the ravens, along with body parts from the men and their horses. A new rider approached, black-hoofed, high-headed horse. Atop the horse's left leg was bright red and its right foreleg was pure white to the top of the hoof. The rider and his horse were dressed were dressed in mottled yellow armour, speckled with Spanish latten. He and the horse wore a cloak in two halves, white and pure black, and the fringes of his cloak were golden purple. Outside the cloak was his sword, golden-hilted, shining, triple-grooved. The sword's belt was of yellow gold cloth with a clasp made of the eyelid of a pure black whale and a tongue of yellow-gold. The rider wore a helmet of yellow latten with shining crystals in it, and on top of the helmet was the image of a gryphon with magic stones in its head. He held a spear of ash with a round shaft, coloured with blue azure, riveted with precious silver, and a new, bloody head mounted upon it. He angrily rode to Arthur and told him that the ravens killed his entire retinue and sons and asked he persuade Owain to call off his ravens. Arthur asked Owain to call off the ravens and then proceeded to crush the the golden gwyddbwyll pieces to dust. Owain ordered Gwres son of Rheged to lower his banner and then all became calmPage 224, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
Now Rhonabwy asked Iddog who the three squires of Owain had been. Iddog said they were Selyf, son of Cynan Garwyn from Powys (Selyf was ahistorical king of Powys in the 7th century, in the Triads he is named one of the Three Battle-Rulers of the Island of Britain), and Gwgagwn Gleddyfrudd (Gwgawn Red Sword, ruler in Ceredigion), and Gwres son of Rheged, who had been carrying Owain's banner. When Rhonabwy asked about Arthur's three men, Iddog told him they were Blathaon, son of Mwrheth, and Rhuawn Bebyr, son of Deorthach Wledig, and Hyfaidd Unllen (Hyfaidd One-mantle, included in Arthur's Court List)Page 225, Rhonabwy's Dream, . 
=== Counsel with Rhun and Cadyriaith ===
==== Council List ====
Twenty-four horsemen approached Arthur's army from Osla Gyllellfawr and requested for a truce lasting a month and a fortnight. Arthur took counsel and went to an auburn-haired man, whom Iddog said was Rhun, son of Maelgwn Gwynedd, who many go to for advice. Many other men also accompanied Arthur in this counsel. 
Name 	Notes
Bedwin the Bishop 	
Gwarthegydd son of Caw 	
March son of Meirchawn 	
Caradog Freichfras 	
Gwalchmai son of Gwyar 	
Edern son of Nudd 	
Rhuawn Bebyr son of Deorthach Wledig	
Rhiogan son of the King of Ireland 	
Gwenwynwyn son of Naf 	One of the Three Fleet Owners
Hywel son of Emyr Llydaw 	
Gwilym son of the King of France 	
Daned son of Oth 	
Gorau son of Custennin 	
Mabon son of Modron 	
Peredur Paladr Hir 	
Hyfaidd Unllen 	
Twrch son of Perif 	
Nerth son of Cadarn 	
Gobrw son of Echel Forddwyd Twll 	
Gwair son of Gwystyl 	Meaning "hostage", one of the Three Diademed Battle-Leaders
Adwy son of Geraint 	
Dyrstan son of Tallwch 	Dyrstan as in Trystan
Morien Manog 	
Granwen son of Llŷr 	
Llacheu son of Arthur 	
Llawfrodedd Farfog 	
Cadwr earl of Cornwall 	
Morfran son of Tegid 	
Rhyawdd son of Morgant 	A frivolous or amateur bard
Dyfyr son of Alun Dyfed 	
Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd 	
Addaon son of Taliesin 	
Llara son of Casnar Wledig 	
Fflewddwr Fflam 	
Greidol Gallddofydd 	
Gilbert son of Cadgyffro 	Son of Battle Tumult
Menw son of Teirgwaedd 	
Gyrthmwl Wledig 	
Cawrdaf son of Caradog Freichfras 	Son of Caradog Strong-Arm
Gildas son of Caw 	
Cadyriaith son of Saidi 	
They were also joined by many men from Norway and Denmark, as well as men from Greece. But Rhonabwy wondered why such as young man as Cadyriaith should be included in such counsel, to which Iddog stated none else in Prydain could give such sound advice as he.
==== The Dream's End ====
Poets then arrived to perform a special poem for Arthur, but none could understand the poem save for Cadyriaith, who explained it was praise unto Arthur. Twenty-four mules then arrived with loads of gold and silver from Greece as tribute. Cadyriaith suggested that truce should be granted to Osla and that the gold and silver tribute be paid to the poets and that they be granted payments for their singing performances through the nights. Cai then rose and declared that those who wish to be with Arthur must be with him in Cornwall that very night, and those that do not can stand against him until the end of the truce. This caused such an uproar that Rhonabwy suddenly awoke from his dream. He found that he had slept for three whole daysPage 226, Rhonabwy's Dream, .
And so ends the dream of Rhonabwy and no one knows of this dream, except by book, because of the number of colours on the horses, their trappings and the many unusual colours both of their armours and their mantles and their magic stones (this is likely meant as an explanation for the existence of this story as a literary source in its original form, rather than being a written version of a pre-existing oral tale).
== References ==
=== Literature ===
==== Academic Sources ====
Category:The Mabinogion Tales