#kingarthur

The Welsh Arthurian knight Owain had a special bond with wild beasts. He commanded 300 magical size-changing ravens, and his most loyal companion was a black lion he had saved from a giant serpent. Afterwards, the lion constantly followed Owain around like an friendly dog. #FairyTaleTuesday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #Animal #Lion

In Welsh folklore, Bedwyr (Bedivere) is one of King Arthur's two best friends, and one of his best warriors (despite being one-handed). Bedwyr lost his hand battling Gwrgi Rough-Grey, a dog-headed man (strangely reminiscent of how the Norse god Tyr lost his hand to the wolf Fenris). 🎨 Margaret Jones #MythologyMonday #Folklore #Mythology #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #Arthuriana #MargaretJones

In this week’s Miscellanies: the case for #KingArthur 📬 Sign up for our newsletter at https://buff.ly/PuyaWjm and we’ll send it to you on Thursday.

The oldest surviving King Arthur story is the Welsh folktale "Culhwch and Olwen." In it, most of King Arthur's warriors have superpowers ranging from great strength or flight to stranger ones such as unnatural beauty, unnatural ugliness, or gigantic lips. 🎨 Margaret Jones #FairyTaleTuesday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #MargaretJones

The mightiest monster in Welsh legend was Trwyth, an evil man cursed by God to become a gigantic boar. King Arthur led an army of his greatest warriors against him to acquire the golden comb, scissors, and razor entwined in the boar's fur. Trwyth slaughtered many of them. 🎨 Huw Aaron #FairyTaleTuesday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #Monster

Merlin first appears in the 12th-century book "History of the Kings of Britain" (by Geoffrey of Monmouth). In there, his only supernatural power is prophecy; Merlin otherwise relies on science. He builds Stonehenge via ancient engineering and uses herbalism to make King Uther look like Gorlois. 🎨 Joan Blaeu #FairyTaleTuesday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #Merlin #Stonehenge

In Welsh folklore, King Arthur's foster-brother Kay has a heart cold as ice but fire in his veins. This lets him pass unharmed through fire and ice. Also, when out in the freezing snow and rain, Kay's comrades stay close to him to be warmed by the intense heat radiating from his body. #FolkloreSunday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthurian #Arthuriana

The afanc is a Welsh lake monster with poisonous quills that battles Peredur (Sir Percival) and other warriors of King Arthur. Early legends don't describe the afanc, while later depictions vary, such as describing it as a giant fish, a serpent, or even a beaver/crocodile hybrid. 🎨 Sakitaro #FairyTaleTuesday #Mythology #Folklore #Wales #Celtic #KingArthur #Arthuriana #Monster