Cym: Hound of Elig the Guide
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Beyond a mention in the Mabinogion of Culhwch ac Olwen little is known about this character. He is one of the knights of Arthur's court of whom Culhwch asks a boon in his quest for Olwen. He is named only once subsequent to this when Arthur calls upon him to accompany Menw mab Teirgwaedd, Cei, Bedwyr, Gwalchmei, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd and Culhwch himself n the first of Culhwch's quests — that for the location of Olwen. Cynddelig is called to accompany them as Cynddelig the Guide 'For as good a guide was he in a land which he had never seen as he was in his own'. This then seems to be Cynddelig's cynneddf (magical peculiarity); to always know where he is at any particular time.
Etymologically the origin of Cynddelig's name relates to his function. His epithet 'Cyfarwydd' in modern Cymric means 'familiar' though in middle Cymric it can also be used for 'he who is familiar with a place', a guide. Cynddelig's forename is derived from the components cy, ci (hound) (cf Cynon and Elig which may be a personal name. Thus Cynddelig is the 'Hound of Elig'.
