Part 56 (1/2)

214 See p. 233, and a similar case in the authors High Deeds of Finn, p. 82.

215 See p. 232, and the tale of the recovery of the Tain, p. 234.

216 Pwyll King of Dyfed, Bran and Branwen, Math Sor of Mathonwy, and Manawyddan Son of Llyr.

217 See p. 107.

218 Hibbert Lectures, pp. 237-240.

219 See pp. 88, 109, &c. Lugh, of course, = Lux, Light. The Celtic words _Lamh_ and _Llaw_ were used indifferently for hand or arm.

220 Mr. Squire, in his Mythology of the British Islands, 1905, has brought together in a clear and attractive form the most recent results of studies on this subject.

221 Finn and Gwyn are respectively the Gaelic and Cymric forms of the same name, meaning fair or white.

222 Mythology of the British Islands, p. 225.

223 The sense appears to be doubtful here, and is variously rendered.

224 Lloegyr = Saxon Britain.

225 Rhys, Hibbert Lectures, quoting from the ancient saga of Merlin published by the English Text Society, p. 693.

226 Mythology of the British Islands, pp. 325, 326; and Rhys, Hibbert Lectures, p. 155 _sqq_.

227 In the Iolo MSS., collected by Edward Williams.

228 See, _e.g._, pp. 111, 272.

229 We see here that we have got far from primitive Celtic legend. The heroes fight like mediaeval knights on horseback, tilting at each other with spears, not in chariots or on foot, and not with the strange weapons which figure in Gaelic battle-tales.

230 Hen, the Ancient; an epithet generally implying a h.o.a.ry antiquity a.s.sociated with mythological tradition.

231 p.r.o.nounced Pry-dairy.

232 Evidently this was the triangular Norman s.h.i.+eld, not the round or oval Celtic one. It has already been noticed that in these Welsh tales the knights when they fight tilt at each other with spears.

233 The reader may p.r.o.nounce this Matholaw.

234 Compare the description of Mac Cecht in the tale of the Hostel of De Derga, p. 173.

235 Where the Tower of London now stands.