Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd: a Cymric Arthurian Hero (Challenger, the Interpreter of Tongues)

Celtic Gods: The Cymric Hero, Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd (Challenger, the Interpreter of Tongues)

Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd

A Cymric Arthurian Hero: Challenger, Interpreter of Tongues

Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd is a Cymric (Welsh) hero known from the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen where he is one of Arthur's nights and has the gift of tongues. He can talk and understand the tongues of man and the animals. As a result it is his task to talk to the oldest of the animals, thus aiding Culhwch in his quest to gain the hand of Olwen.

Synonyms:
Cym: Challenger, the Interpreter of Tongues

Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd figures in the tale of Culhwch ac Olwen. Though a comparatively minor character in the tale as a whole he does play a few pivotal rôles — mostly as a result of his skill at languages. If ever there was a hero designed to appeal to a translator or ancient texts, then Gwrhyr is he.

On the first of Culhwch's quests — that for the location of Olwen he joins Cei, Bedwyr, Gwalchmei, Menw and Culhwch himself on his quest. When they encounter the giant, Custennin it is Gwrhyr who parlays with him. Later, at Custennin's house it is Gwrhyr who comments on the mis-treatment of Custennin's golden-haired child — the way that he is sequestered in a stone chest to keep him safe from his uncle, Ysbaddaden Pencawr. The, as they reach the Llys of Gwrnach Gawr it is Gwrhyr who enquires of the proter and gets him to accept the crafts of his companions as means of gaining ingress.

After the freeing of Eidoel from the keep of Gilfi Gwrhyr, Cei and Bedwyr are sent by Arthur to accompany him on the quest for his cousing, Mabon fab Modron. Gwrhyr is included on this quest because 'he knows all languages and is familiar with those of the birds and the beasts'. First they come to the oldest known creature, the Ousel of Cilgwri and Gwrhyr enquires as to what the bird knows of Mabon's whereabouts. The Ousel protests that it knows nothing of Mabon but points them in the directin of an even more ancient creature than itself, the Stag of Rhedynfre. Again Gwrhyr asks of his quest and the stag directs them to the Owl of Cwm Gwlwyd who directs them to the Eagle of Gwernabwy. Again, this bird has not heard of Mabon but it knows of one being older even than itself an directs them towards Llyn Llyw where the great Salmon lives. Finally, then encounter a creature who knows of Mabon and takes Cei and Gwrhyr upon his back to the prison where Mabon is held.

Gwrhyr has one final rôle to play in the tale: to talk to the gaint boar, Twrch Trwyth and his seven attendant boarlings. Transforming himself into a bird he alights atop the boars' lair where the great boar lies with the seven young pigs. Gwrhyr beseaches them to come parlay with Arthur, but they deny him. And when he asks for the comb, scissors and razor that are lodged between the Twrch Trwyth's ears they deny him again and avow that on the morrow they shall arise, go to Arthur's court and there do all the mischief they can. Thus starts the hunt for the Twrch Trwyth.

Gwrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd's name can be interpreted as being derived from gŵr (man) and *hyr (challenge) and can be interpreted as 'challenger'. His epithet Gwalstawd Ieithoedd literally means 'interpreter of languages'. Thus his name can be renderd as 'Challenger, Interpreter of Tongues'. In this context the rendition of his forename as 'Challenger' makes some sense in that as an interpreter it would be his role to parlay with strangers and to challenge those wishing to enter Arthur's Llys.

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