Gwythyr fab Greidiawl: a Cymric Mabinogion Hero (Victor son of Scorcher)

Synonyms:
Cym: Victor son of Scorcher

Gwythyr fab Greidawl features in the tale of Culhwch ac Olwen where he plays a key rôle in two of Culhwch's quests.

Coming to Arthur's court, Culhwch asks the boon that Arthur aid him in attaining the hand of Olwen from Ysbaddaden Pencawr. He asks this boon not only of Arthur but also of certain of Arthur's men — among them being Gwythyr fab Greidiawl.

A short time before Creiddylad ferch Lludd Llawereint (daughter of Lludd of the silver hand), who was loved by two men had bestowed herself upon Gwythyr fab Greidawl. Before they could consumate their relationship her other suitor, Gwyn fab Nudd came and took her away by force. Enraged by this treachery Gwythyr gathered to him an army and he marched upon Gwyn's encampment. Their forces clashed but Gwyn was victorious and imprisoned many of the Island's greatest men. Hearing of this, and needing the imprisoned heroes Arthur rode to the north and summoned Gwyn fab Nudd to him and released the noblemen from Gwyn's prison. Arthur made peace between Gwythyr and Gwyn by taking Creiddylad back to her father's Llys where she could be kept safe from both sides in the conflict. A dihenydd was placed upon Gwyn and Gwythyr that every May Day from thence until the end of the realm Gwythyr and Gwyn would be forced to engage in single combat. Whomever was victorious in the end would ultimately gain Creiddylad's hand. Thus were Gwyn and Gwythyr added to the mass of Arthur's host.

Later in the tale, after the finding of the two cubs of the Gast Rhymni the hosts of Arthur dispersed themselves into ones and twos and as Gwythyr fab Greidawl was alking over a mountain he heard a wailing and a grievous cry. He sprang towards this sound and saw a great fire. When he came to the site of the cry he drew his sword and smote-off anthill close to the ground so that it wscaped the flames. In payment for saving their lives the ants fetched the nine bushels of flax-seed that Ysbaddaden had required of Culhwch.

Later in the tale, as Arthur and his host reach the lair of the witch, Orddu, daughter of the witch, Orwen , of Pen Nant Gofid, Gwyn fab Nudd and Gwythyr mab Greidiawl counselled him to send Camcwri and Gygwyd to fight the witch. They are narly killed on their quest and Arthur makes to enter the lair but Gwyn and Gwythyr stay him, saying: 'it would not be seemly of fitting to see thee squabbling with a hag. Let Hiramreu and Hireiddil go to the cave'. But the two warriors are treated even worse than their predecessors, so Arthur entered and slew the witch.

Gwythyr also figures in triad 56 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein where he is named as the father of one of the three Gwenhwyfars.

Gwythyr's name literally means 'victor' and though his father's name, Greidiawl has previously been translated as 'Scorcher' it more probably means 'Fierce'. Thus Gwythyr mab Greidiawl Gallofyd can be interpreted as 'Victor son of Fierce Enemy-subduer' and thus fits in with the Culhwch and Olwen pattern of having the forename echo the patronymic eg Cei mab Cynyr (path son of way); Bedwyr fab Pedrawd (Perfect son of Perfection). The combat between Gwythyr and Gwyn fab Nudd for the hand of Creiddylad may echo a tale of the division of the year. Though they only fight on May-eve, Gwyn's day (at least in later folklore) is Calan Gaeaf (Hallowe'en) thus there might originally have been another battle then with Gwythyr victorious for the summer months and Gwyn victorious for the winter, the time of his ascendance. It should also be noted that Creiddylad is Gwyn's sister for Nudd and Lludd are synonyms for the same deity, something that may have been lost to the copyers of the tale. For further analysis on this see the page on Gwyn fab Nudd.

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