Angau: the Cymric personification of death

Synonyms: Marwolaeth
Cym: Death

Similar to the Breton Ankou Angau is the Cymric (Welsh) anthropomorphic personification of death. In this respect Angau is the Cymric equivalent of the Greek Θάνɑτοσ (Thanatos).

One of the most famous Cymric tales referring to the figure of Angau is that of the fourteenth century Y Tri Cyfaill (The three friends).

One day in early May, when the flowers were in bloom and the first tree-leaves were bursting from their buds three friends were ensconced within the snug of a tavern playing cards, drinking wine and making fun of god and the devil, both. Now, the wild exploits of these three were infamous throughout the entirety of the town where each mother worried for the virtue of their daughters and each father fervently wished for their early demise. Though the three friends cared not. They simply laughed and drank some more.

That morning, as they refreshed their tankards from a freshly-opened bottle they heard the baleful tolling of a bell. Turning to gaze through the tavern's window they beheld a doleful procession. A crowd of weeping people marching slowly along, each robed in black. When they enquired of the landlord as to what was happening he explained that Angau had taken a poor man to his own realm, leaving his wife and children destitute. Nodding sagely at this news the three men simply turned back to their wine. A few moments one of the men turned to his companions and said: "In truth, it must be faced that Angau is our worst enemy. He awaits all of us and takes each in his tern. There is no escaping his clutches."

"Indeed", replied the second friend, "My wish would be to drink morning, afternoon and night without the fear that Angau will come to end my hwyl. But how can I ever be happy, knowing that Angau still exists?"

"My god!" exclaimed the third... "what you say is the truth. Angau is our worst enemy, each and every one of us! How about we seek Angau out and kill him ourselves? That way we would become great heroes. Come, brothers, give me your hands on this: we shall seek Angau out, capture him and kill him. Let us drink another glass and this time let us quaff it in the honour of the death of Angau. Then we shall seek him out and do him in."

Draining their tankards the three friends rushed out of the tavern, making their way from the town and out into the countryside. About an hour later they met an old man slowly walking towards them. The figure was bent over a crooked blackthorn stick and seemed as old as the hills themselves. Though as he drew near the greeted the three friends cheerfully with a: "God's be with you my friends".

"Ha, God!" laughed one of the friends. "But tell me, old man, why are you here by yourself? You seem so very ancient — why haven't you died? I believe that you might be Angau, looking for his next victim."

"Oh no," replied the old man. "I live only through the grace of god. Though I am old now and would wish to die. But each time I ask Angau to take me he simply responds with a: 'No, old man, your time is not yet.' Gentlemen, why don't you simply allow me on my way?"

"We cannot, old man..." responded the second friend. No one could be as old as you. You can be none other than the long-lived servant of Angau."

"Ha!" cried the third friend. "You are a fool if you think that we believe you. You are Angau's helper and we shall slay you if you do not tell us where your master dwells."

"Well, if you are determined to encounter Angau..." the old man mused "then continue along this road until you spy an oak on the right-hand side. It is under this tree that Angau lives." On hearing this the three friends took-off as fast as their legs could carry them until they reached the oak. And, indeed, as they approached the tree they saw that something lay at its base. Though this was not Angau; rather they spied seven sacks overflowing with treasure. The three friends were overjoyed to see silver glinting in the sunlight and they completely forgot about their quest for Angau as they fell upon the treasure and began to count the coins.

At length they discussed what they would do with this unexpected booty. For if they returned directly with the treasure they would undoubtedly be denounced as thieves and hung. Rather, they would draw lots and the one that lost would have to return to the tavern in town to purchase wine and food for lunch whilst the other two guarded their new-found treasure. Then, once night fell, the three of them could safely carry the treasure into town. Lots were drawn and it so happened that the youngest of the three lost and returned to town. He was scarcely out of earshot when the remaining two began to discuss the treasure amongst themselves.

"We'd have far more treasure if we simply split it between the two of us" the first said to the other. His companion agreed with this and they sat and waited for the other member of their triad to return.

On his way to the town the youngster was having similar thoughts. After all why should he share with the other two if he cold keep the entire treasure for himself? In town he bought meat, bread and three bottles of wine. Then, on his return journey he stopped at an apothecary's to purchase poison 'for the rats'. On his exit from town he split the poison between two of the bottles whilst hiding the third, untainted, bottle in his own pocket.

When the youngster reached the great oak one of his friends made a great show of greeting and embracing him whilst the remaining friend unsheathed a knife and stabbed him deep in the back. Letting their dead companion drop to the floor the other two uncorked the wine bottles to celebrate their new wealth. Of course, Angau was waiting within those bottles and as they toasted each other and celebrated the happy days to come.

The following morning the new-born sun greeted the oak tree, the spring flowers at the foot of the oak and the grey faces of the three companions who lay at the oak's base.

Angau, when you hunt for him, is easy to find...

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