Kynon

Family: Arthur's Court · Role: son of Clydno · First appears: THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 1

Kynon, son of Clydno, was at Arthur’s chamber at Caerlleon upon Usk with Owain son of Urien and Kai. When Kai asked for the tale Arthur had promised them, Kynon asked him for what was due; when Kai then asked for his story, Owain son of Urien told Kynon to pay it, but Kynon deferred to Owain, saying that he was older, a better teller of tales, and had seen more marvellous things.

During that account, Kynon received lavish hospitality at the Castle, where attendants took his horse and armour, washed his arms, gave him new garments, and seated him at the table. The next morning he followed the directions through the valley and wood until he reached the glade, where he saw the black man command the wild animals: “And they bowed their heads, and did him homage, as vassals to their lord.” Later, Kynon acted as Arthur’s guide.

Relationship record

Life events

• Kynon receives lavish hospitality, new garments, and a place at the Castle’s table.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 1)
  • “They rose up at my coming, and six of them took my horse, and divested me of my armour; and six others took my arms, and washed them in a vessel, until they were perfectly bright.”
• Kynon follows directions toward the wood and reaches the glade containing the black man.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 1)
  • “And the next morning I arose, and equipped myself, and mounted my horse, and proceeded straight through the valley, to the wood, and I followed the crossroad which the man had pointed out to me, till at length I arrived at the glade.”
• Kynon witnesses the black man command wild animals, revealing his power over them.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 1 · 📍 the glade)
  • “And he looked at them, and bade them go and feed. And they bowed their heads, and did him homage, as vassals to their lord.”
• Kynon activates the fountain, unleashing thunder and a lethal hailstorm.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 2 · 📍 fountain)
  • “Then I took the bowl, and cast a bowlful of water upon the slab; and thereupon behold the thunder came, much more violent than the black man had led me to expect; and after the thunder came the shower;”
• Kynon is defeated by the black knight, who takes both horses and leaves him.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 2 · 📍 fountain)
  • “And we charged each other; and as the onset was furious, it was not long before I was overthrown. Then the Knight passed the shaft of his lance through the bridle rein of my horse, and rode off with the two horses; leaving me where I was.”
• Arthur begins the expedition to find Owain, guided by Kynon.(THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 4 · 📍 the Castle)
  • With: Arthur
  • “Then Arthur and the men of his household prepared to go and seek Owain; and their number was three thousand, beside their attendants. And Kynon the son of Clydno acted as their guide.”

THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 1

• parent: Clydno “with him were Owain the son of Urien, and Kynon the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner;”
• with Arthur (Kynon was present with Arthur in Arthur's chamber.) “King Arthur was at Caerlleon upon Usk; and one day he sat in his chamber; and with him were Owain the son of Urien, and Kynon the son of Clydno, and Kai the son of Kyner;”
• with Kai (Kynon asks Kai for the promised food and drink.) “And Kynon the son of Clydno asked Kai for that which Arthur had promised them.”
• with Kai (Kai asks Kynon for the promised tale.) “Now said Kai, it is time for you to give me my story.”
• with Owain son of Urien (Owain asks Kynon to tell Kai the tale.) “Kynon, said Owain, do thou pay to Kai the tale that is his due.”
• with Owain son of Urien (Kynon asks Owain to tell the tale, praising his greater age and experience.) “Truly, said Kynon, thou art older, and are a better teller of tales, and hast seen more marvellous things than I; do thou therefore pay Kai his tale.”

THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 2

• with Owain son of Urien (Kynon's description guides Owain's journey.) “And at length he arrived at the valley which Kynon had described to him; and he was certain that it was the same that he sought.”
• with Kai (Kynon is recounting his adventure to Kai.) “And truly, Kai, I never heard any melody equal to that, either before or since.”
• with Owain son of Urien (Owain follows the route and account previously given by Kynon.) “And at length he arrived at the valley which Kynon had described to him; and he was certain that it was the same that he sought.”

THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN 4

• parent: Clydno “And Kynon the son of Clydno acted as their guide.”
• with Arthur (Kynon serves as Arthur's guide.) “And Kynon the son of Clydno acted as their guide.”
• with Arthur (Kynon served as Arthur's guide.) “And Kynon the son of Clydno acted as their guide.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Mabinogion. Made with Rho MD.