I’ve mentioned here the Four Treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann:
- Stone of Fál: Stone of Destiny which reveals the rightful king of Ireland
- Spear of Lugh, an invincible weapon
- Sword of Núadu, a great magical sword called Freagarthach: the “Answerer”
- Cauldron of the Dagda: which could feed everyone in Ireland without emptying
So tonight while noodling about on the web looking up things related to St. David’s Day in Wales, I happened upon The Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain.
- Dyrnwyn, the Sword of Rhydderch Hael
- The Hamper of Gwyddno Garanhir
- The Horn of Brân Galed
- The Chariot of Morgan Mwynfawr
- The Halter of Clydno Eiddyn
- The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman
- The Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant
- The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd
- The Coat of Padarn Beisrudd
- The Crock and Dish of Rhygenydd Ysgolhaig
- Chessboard of Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio
- The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall
- The Mantle of Tegau Gold-Breast
- The Stone and Ring of Eluned the Fortunate
I thought the purposes within the thirteen were interesting.
The first, the Sword of Rhydderch Hael, was said to glow in the hands of a well-born man. “Would you like to hold my sword? It will glow if you’re well-born!” “Umm gee thanks, most kind, most generous really but I must go re-shoe my horse now.”
The Whetstone, the Coat of Padarn Beisrudd and the Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant, indicate if someone is cowardly or not.
The Hamper, The Horn, The Knife, The Crock and the Dish all supplied ample food and drink to those present. The Halter would provide a horse. The Chariot would get you where you wanted to go and quickly. I imagine all of these were most useful for epic battling.
The Chessboard: impressive gold and silver which if set up correctly would play by itself.
The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall: whoever was under it could not be seen, and he could see everyone. (shades of the Cloak of Invisibility!)
This list appear in Welsh texts from the 15th and 16th century.
you may take my sword:
it gleams, held by a well-born;
I’ll re-sheathe it then.
The Thirteen Treasures:
Those which provide and protect
or judge cowardice.
