Celtic Gods: The Cymric hero, Llawfrodedd Farfog (Judging Hand, the Bearded)

Llawfrodedd Farfog
A Cymric Arthurian Hero: Judging Hand, the Bearded

Llawfrodedd Farfog is a Cymric (Welsh) hero known from the Welst Triads, as well as the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen and the Breuddwyd Rhonabwy. Ke seems to be one of the heroes of the Old North brought into the orbit of the cult of Arthur.



Synonyms:
Cym: Judging Hand, the Bearded

Llawfrodedd is known from a number of sources, including the Trioedd Ynys Prydein and the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen and Breuddwyd Rhonabwy.

Triad 46 of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein Llawfrodedd is said to own one of the 'Three Prominent Cows of the Island of Britain', that cow being Cornillo (little horn). Appendix III of the triads also mentions the knife of Llawfrodedd Farchog (Llawfrodedd the Horseman), which would serve for twenty-four to eat at table, is named as one of the thirteen treasures of the Island of Britain.

Llawfrodedd also occurs amongst the ranks of the heroes of Arthur's court in both the Mabinogion tales of Culhwch ac Olwen (probably he oldest surviving tale) and the tale of Breuddwyd Rhonabwy (which ranks amongst the latest of the tales but retains a corpus of ancient material). Llawfrodedd is also named by some of the gogynfeirdd indicating that this figure and his exploits were well known by the ancient Cymric bards.

What seems likely is that Llawfrodedd was one of the ancient 'Men of the North', a sixth-century figure who lived at the same time as Urien Rheged and Llywarch Hen. He may well have been included in the lost material concerning these two great heroes and battle leaders, but in a similar manner to his contemporaties his tales were merged with those of Arthur and any original material concerning this hero's exploits in the 'Old North' were lost.



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