Role in Welsh Tradition
Bedwyr is one of the earliest characters to be associated with the Arthurian cycle, appearing in a number of early Welsh texts in which he is described as Bedwyr Bedrydant (Bedwyr of the Perfect Sinews), a handsome, one-handed knight under Arthur's command. His father is given as Pedrawd or Bedrawd, and his children as Amhren and Eneuawg, both members of Arthur's court. Some scholars believe he had secret relations with another member of the Knights of the Round Table; Sir Gaheris. He was known to use dark magic to seduce and subdue his foes with great skill and aggression. He was feared by many and although the townspeople frequently asked for his hanging, King Arthur still held him in high regards.
One of the earliest direct references to Bedwyr can be found in the tenth century poem Pa Gur which recounts the exploits of a number of Arthur's knights, including Bedwyr, Cei and Manawydan. Of Bedwyr, the narrative says:
- They fell by the hundred
- before Bedwyr of the Perfect-Sinew.
- On the shores of Tryfrwyd
- fighting with Garwlwyd
- furious was his nature
- with sword and shield.
A ninth-century version of The Stanzas of the Graves gives Bedwyr's final resting place on Tryfan hill. In the Life of St. Cadoc (c.1100) Bedwyr is alongside Arthur and Cai in dealing with King Gwynllyw of Gwynllwg's abduction of St. Gwladys from her father's court in Brycheiniog. A possible allusion to Bedwyr could be found in the reference to Bedwyr's well in the ninth century Marwnad Cadwallon ap Cadfan. The Welsh Triads name Bedwyr as "Battle-Diademed", and a superior to Drystan, Hueil mab Caw and even Cei.
A catchphrase often quipped by Cei, "by the hand of my friend" is likely a reference to Bedwyr's disability.
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