Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr facts for kids
Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr ("Brave Grey Mighty Grasp") is a famous hero and warrior from Welsh and King Arthur's stories. He was a knight in Arthur's group and the main gatekeeper of his court. Glewlwyd is one of the oldest characters linked to Arthur. He appears in many old texts, like Culhwch ac Olwen and The Lady of the Fountain.
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Glewlwyd: Arthur's Gatekeeper
Glewlwyd's most important job was being the chief gatekeeper for King Arthur. This meant he controlled who could enter Arthur's court. He was known for being very strong and brave.
The Story of Culhwch and Olwen
In the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, a young man named Culhwch ap Cilydd needed help from his cousin Arthur. Culhwch wanted to marry Olwen, the daughter of a giant. When Culhwch arrived at Arthur's court, Glewlwyd, the main gatekeeper, first refused to let him in.
Culhwch threatened to cause a lot of trouble if he wasn't allowed inside. Eventually, Glewlwyd let him enter. In this story, Glewlwyd tells Arthur about his many adventures. He says he has traveled to many different places, both in the real world and in the magical Otherworld, often fighting alongside Arthur.
What Man is the Porter?
This part of the story is similar to an older poem called Pa Gur yv y Porthaur (which means "What man is the porter?"). In this poem, Glewlwyd is also the gatekeeper of a fortress. Arthur and his men want to get in. To prove they are worthy, Arthur describes the brave deeds of his knights, especially Cai and Bedwyr. This shows how important Glewlwyd was in deciding who could join Arthur's company.
The Hunt for Twrch Trwyth
Later in Culhwch ac Olwen, Glewlwyd also helps Arthur in a dangerous hunt. He leads his servants to chase a magical boar named Twrch Trwyth. Sadly, three of Glewlwyd's servants are killed during this hunt. This shows that even brave warriors like Glewlwyd faced dangers and losses.
Glewlwyd's Strength and Fame
Glewlwyd was not just a gatekeeper; he was also known for his incredible strength and fierce nature.
The Welsh Triads
Glewlwyd is mentioned in the Welsh Triads, which are lists of important people and things from Welsh history and legend. He is named as one of Arthur's twenty-four special knights. He is also called one of the "Three Offensive Knights of Arthur’s Court." These knights were so impressive that people found it hard to refuse them anything. Glewlwyd was one of them because of his huge size, great strength, and fierce spirit.
Other Tales of Arthur's Court
Glewlwyd appears in other stories too. In The Lady of the Fountain, he is again the gatekeeper at Arthur's court. He welcomes guests, explains the court's rules, and guides people to where they should go.
In the story of Geraint fab Erbin, Glewlwyd is still the chief gatekeeper. However, he only handles this job during the three most important festivals of the year. For the rest of the time, his seven assistants help with the duties.
A Feat of Strength
An old story from the 15th or 16th century also mentions Glewlwyd's amazing strength. It describes him as "the man who lifted the cauldron down from the fire with one hand." This cauldron was so big that it was boiling the meat of seven oxen! This story, whether true or just a legend, highlights how strong Glewlwyd was believed to be.
