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Morfudd
A Cymric Arthurian Heroine: Great of Vitory, Great of Benefit
Morfudd is a Cymric (Welsh) Arthurian heroine known from the MAbinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen and the Welsh Triads. She is represneted as 'noble born', a daughter of Urien of Rheged and the twin of Owein. |
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Cym: Great of Vitory, Great of Benefit
Morfudd is known from two specific sources. She is mentioned in the Mabinogi of Culhwch ac Olwen and in two of the triads of the Trioedd Ynys Prydein. In Culhwch ac Olwen Morfudd is names as one of the 'golden-chained' daughters of the Island, indicating that she was noble born (which as the daughter of Urien Rheged the ruler of much of north-western Britain (the ancient kingdom of Rheged) she certainly would be.
The first of the Triads from the Trioedd Ynys Prydein that mentions Morfudd is triad 70. This triad names Modron as the wife of Urien Rheged and the mother of Morfudd and her brother, Owein and in the poem the twins are names as one of the 'Three Fair Womb-burdens of the Island of Britain'.
The next triad, Triad 71, names Cynod fab Clydno as one of the 'Three Lovers of the Island of Britain' because of his love for Morfudd the daughter of Urien Rheged. WWhether this is a true relationship or represents a later desire to bring together the major dynasties from the west and east of the Old North may never be known, especially as Morfudd is not mentioned in any of the other sources of Cynon's legend.
Morfudd's name is composed of the two Cymric elements mor (great) and budd (benefit/victory). Thus her name can be interpreted as 'Great of Victory' or 'Great of Benefit' (in the sense of gain or wealth).
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