Iddawg Cordd Brydain: a Cyrmic Arthurian Hero (He who is ardent, the Agitator of Britain)

Synonyms:
Cym: He who is ardent, the Agitator of Britain

Iddawg is one of the main protagonists in the tale of Breuddwyd Rhonabwy (The Dream of Rhonabwy). He is Rhonabwy's guide in the Arthurian realm of Rhonabwy's dream.

He is the first person that Rhonabwy encounters and is described as a squire, newly shaven and with blond curling hair, mounted on a chestnut steed. And from the tops of its rear legs to the knees of its forelegs the horse's belly was grey. The rider wore a coat of yellow silk, sown with green thread. Upon his thigh he had a golden-hilted sword with a scabbard of new Cordovan leather for it and a belt about his shoulder clasped with gold to hold the scabbard. Atop this he wore a cloak of yellow silk sewn with green thread, the borders of the cloak also being green and those parts of the knight and his steed's rainments which were green were as green as pine and those parts which were yellow were as yellow as broom-flowers. So fierce did the knight appear that fear seized them and they began to flee. The knight pursued them. And when his steed exhaled the men became distant from him and when he inhaled the men were drawn towards him until they reached the horse's breast. And when he overtook them they besought his mercy. Mercy is given and Iddawg becomes Rhonabwy's companion.

Iddawg is also, according to his own words, known not from his name but his nickname Iddawg Cordd Prydain (Iddawg the Agitator [literally Chruner] of Britain). This nickname geing gained from Iddawg's mis-deeds during his yoth. For, as he relates in the tale: ' I was one of the messengers at the battle of Camlann between Arthur and his nephew, Medrawd. I was a lively youth and because of my desire for battle I engendered strife between them. And this agitation I caused; when I was sent by the emperor, Arthur, to convey to Medrawd that he was his foster-father and his uncle and to plead for peace lest the sons of the leaders of the island of Britain and their nobles be slain. And when Arthur related to me the fairest report he could think of I uttered unto Medrawd the most unworthy words that I could imagine. And therefore I am called Iddawg the Agitator of Britain. And from this were the ranks of soldiers arrayed at Camlann. Despite this, three nights before the battle of Camlann had ended I departed them and came to Llech Las in Pictland to atone. And for seven years did I do penance. And pardon did I receive.'

Iddawg's name is probably derived from the components idd (the preposition to) and awch (ardent [the original form of Iddawg is Idawc which may be derived from *Iddawch but is rendered in modern Cymric as Iddawg]). The name can be interpreted as 'He who is Ardent' which fits both with Iddawg's youthful liveliness and his desire for battle. Idawg is also introduced as Iddawg mab Mynyo (Iddawg son of Mynyo) though nothing is known of his father. He is also known from the Peniarth 16 version of triad 51 of the Trioedd ynys Prydein. Though as the tale there is precisely the same as that of the Breuddwyd Rhonabwy is probably represents a copyist's gloss on that triad. Rhonabwy represents a post-Galfridian character though possibly intermingled with a far older tale of Arthur's combat against Owein. Of course, Breuddwyd Rhonabwy is also a comic tale where the characters of the past are represented as 'noble giants' and the characters of the present day, much diminished in comparison. are 'little mannikins'.

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