Bedwyr

Family: Arthur's Court · Role: companion in arms · First appears: GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN 5

Bedwyr, of Arthur’s Court and a companion in arms, is identified as the son of Bedrawd. In Geraint’s journey, he went with Geraint the son of Erbin among the company that set forth on the third day. He is also named as the father of Amren and Eneuawc.

In Kilhwch and Olwen, Arthur called on Bedwyr, who never shrank from an enterprise to which Kai was bound. When Yspaddaden Penkawr threw a poisoned dart after them, Bedwyr caught it and wounded him through the knee. Later, Bedwyr described Kai as his companion, and at the sight of a robber’s fire called him his friend.

Bedwyr and Kai then plucked Dillus Varvawc’s beard with wooden tweezers and killed him. At the house of Diwrnach Wyddel, Arthur and his men killed Diwrnach Wyddel and his company, defeated the Irish who pursued them, and carried away the cauldron filled with Irish money; Hygwyd and Llenlleawg Wyddel were also with them.

Relationship record

Life events

• The expedition kills the nine porters and nine watch-dogs, entering Yspaddaden’s hall.(KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 4)
  • With: Kilhwch Kynddelig Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd Gwalchmai Menw the son of Teirgwaedd
  • “And they slew the nine porters that were at the nine gates in silence. And they slew the nine watch-dogs without one of them barking. And they went forward to the hall.”
• Bedwyr wounds Yspaddaden Penkawr through the knee with a poisoned dart.(KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 5)
  • With: Yspaddaden Penkawr
  • “And Bedwyr caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr grievously with it through the knee.”
• Kai and Bedwyr plucked Dillus Varvawc’s beard and killed him.(KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 8)
  • With: Kai Dillus Varvawc
  • “And there they twitched out his beard completely with the wooden tweezers; and after that they slew him altogether.”
• Arthur’s men seized the cauldron, killed Diwrnach and his company, and escaped with it.(KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 8 · 📍 the house of Diwrnach Wyddel)
  • With: Arthur Hygwyd Llenlleawg Wyddel Diwrnach Wyddel
  • “And they slew Diwrnach Wyddel and his company. Then came the Irish, and fought with them. And when he had put them to flight, Arthur with his men went forward to the ship, carrying away the cauldron full of Irish money.”

GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN 5

• child: Bedrawd “Bedwyr the son of Bedrawd”
• with Geraint the son of Erbin (Companion in Geraint's journey.) “And on the third day Geraint set forth, and many went with him. Gwalchmai the son of Gwyar, and Riogonedd the son of the king of Ireland, and Ondyaw the son of the duke of Burgandy, Gwilim the son of the ruler of the Franks, Howel the son of Emyr of Brittany, Elivry, and Nawkyrd, Gwynn the son of Tringad, Goreu the son of Custennin, Gweir Gwrhyd Vawr, Garannaw the son of Golithmer, Peredur the son of Evrawc, Gwynnllogell, Gwyr a judge in the Court of Arthur, Dyvyr the son of Alun of Dyved, Gwrei Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, Bedwyr the son of Bedrawd, Hadwry the son of Gwryon, Kai the son of Kynyr, Odyar the Frank, the Steward of Arthur's Court, and Edeyrn the son of Nudd.”
• parent: Bedrawd “Bedwyr the son of Bedrawd”

KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 3

• parent: Amren “Amren the son of Bedwyr”
• parent: Eneuawc “Eneuawc the daughter of Bedwyr.”

KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 4

• with Arthur (Arthur called Bedwyr to join the expedition.) “And Arthur called Bedwyr, who never shrank from any enterprise upon which Kai was bound.”

KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 5

• with Yspaddaden Penkawr (Bedwyr attacks and wounds Yspaddaden Penkawr.) “And Bedwyr caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr grievously with it through the knee.”
• with Yspaddaden Penkawr (Yspaddaden attacked Bedwyr's party, and Bedwyr wounded Yspaddaden.) “They rose to go forth, and Yspaddaden Penkawr seized one of the three poisoned darts that lay beside him, and threw it after them. And Bedwyr caught it, and flung it, and pierced Yspaddaden Penkawr grievously with it through the knee.”

KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 7

• with Kai (interaction) “Oh! noble sir, I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art. ‘Who may he be?’ ‘Let the porter go forth, and I will tell him whereby he may know him. The head of his lance will leave its shaft, and draw blood from the wind, and will descend upon its shaft again.’ Then the gate was opened, and Bedwyr entered. And Kai said, ‘Bedwyr is very skilful, although he knows not this art.’”
• with Arthur (interaction) “And as for you, Kai and Bedwyr, I have hope of whatever adventure ye are in quest of, that ye will achieve it. Achieve ye this adventure for me.”
• with Kai (interaction) “Oh! noble sir, I have a companion, albeit he is not skilled in this art.”

KILHWCH AND OLWEN OR THE TWRCH TRWYTH 8

• friends with Kai “By the hand of my friend, behold, yonder is the fire of a robber!”

⭐ Constellation map → · 📖 Read the original → · 🗂 Character index → · 🕰 Chronicle → · 📍 Places →

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