Custennin: a Cymric Mabinogi hero (The Labourer)

Synonyms:
Cym: The Labourer

In the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen Custennin is the brother of Ysbaddaden Pencawr and therefore the uncle of Olwen herself. Though Custennin was bestowed with the riches of land and animals, his brother Ysbaddaden stole these from him and he was reduced to the status of a herdsman for his borther's sheep. Thus, when Cai, Menw and Gwrhyr and Culhwch come to Yspydadden's lands they spy a Llys upon a rocky outcrop and before this an enormous flock of sheep that seemed boundless and without end. Atop a mound, within the confines of the flock there sat a giant figure who wore a rough cloak made of sheepskin and whose right hand caressed the shaggy coat of an enormous mastiff, larger than a full-grown horse. Not a little afraid, the three hosemen paused, until Menw promised that he could subdue the mastiff with a spell. So the companions made their way forwards until they could address the giant, who announced himself as Custennin, son of Dyfnedig and brother of Yspydadden. The selfsame Yspydadden who had disposessed him of his lands and his posessions. For their part the four companions told Custennin who they were and what their mission was. Cusatennin warned them not to progress further for none who did so ever returned. Regardless the four men made it plain they would continue and they bade Custennin farewell; though as they did so Culhwch gifted Custenin a ring as a gift. The ring was too large to fit on Custennin's finger so he placed it within his glove instead. That evening, as the herdsman went home to his wife he gave her his ring to keep and she managed to wheelde out of him that he had been gifted the ring by Culhwch son of Cilydd, son of Celyddon by Goleuddydd the daughter of Anlawdd. Hearing this she felt torn between the joy that her nephew was coming to her and sorrow that anyone who sought the hand of Olwen never returned from the quest. Nonetheless they went out towards the edge of Custennin's dwelling and when she heard the four strangers approach she ran to greet them. They were ushered into the couples' home where they were served meat and drink. At the end of the evening the woman opened a stone chest that lay before the chimney corner and from this there sprang a golden-haired youth. Gwrhyr commented that it was a shame to hide such a youth from the eyes of the world whereupon the woman responded that the boy was simply a remnant, for three and twenty other sons had she bourne and all of them had been slain by Yspadadden and she feared that the same fate would befall this one. Cai promised that he would protect the boy where he only allowd to go with the four travellers. That no harm could or would befall him unless Cai was slain alongside him. The child's name, Goreu (the Best), was gained when he slew the warriors of Gwrnach Gawr. This and his aid in hunting the Twrch Trwyth was how this child was taken into Yspadadden's presence where he could avenge his father, Custennin, by slaying his uncle.

In one sense this is a tale of giants, of the first mythological beings to inhabit the island of Britain. But it is also a tale of the final battles between the gods and the giants (of Plant Dôn on one side and Plant Llŷr on the other. Though by the time of Arthur, Custennin, Yspadadden and Culhwch the two lineages have intermingled and their alegiances are more complex than in the time of Brâ and Gwydion.

Custennin's name is probably derived from the Middle Cymric noun cysteg (labour, grief) and prefectly describes his subservient role with respect to his brother.

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