Gwenhwyvar

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

At Arthur’s court, Gwenhwyvar is the wife of Arthur, praised in The Lady of the Fountain as “more lovely than Gwenhwyvar, the wife of Arthur, when she appeared loveliest at the Offering.” In that tale she rebukes Kai for speaking discourteously to Owain, while in Peredur the Son of Evrawc Peredur sends her a goblet and declares that he will remain Arthur’s vassal and serve him.

In Geraint the Son of Erbin, Gwenhwyvar asks Arthur to let her attend the white stag hunt, and calls Geraint the son of Erbin “the most agreeable companion I could have in the whole kingdom.” She later receives Enid with joy, with love and friendship said to exist between Enid and everyone there. Her conflict with Edeyrn the son of Nudd requires peace before he can depart, but after his punishment she permits him to leave freely.

In Kilhwch and Olwen or The Twrch Trwyth, Gwenhwyvar is named as the chief lady, with Gwennhwyach as her sister. Elidyr Gyvarwydd, Yskyrdav, and Yscudydd are her attendants, swift-footed when carrying a message.