Dagda
'Good God', 'Eochaid Ollathair', 'All-Father', 'Ruad Rofessa', 'Lord of Great Knowledge', 'The Guardian of the Cauldron' (See Grail), a sacred vessel that is known as 'The Cauldron of Dagda'. Reputed to be of the 'Danu' ancestral line known as the 'Tuatha de Danaan' (See Tuatha de Danaan).Said to have possessed a musical harp that had three ways of being played to affect and control the listener: the laugh-strain, the sorrow-strain, the sleep-strain. Husband of 'Boann' (See Boann), father of 'Angus mac Og' (See Angus mac Og).
Dagonet
'Arthur's' court jester. Although a jester, in Arthurian legend Dagonet is later knighted by King Arthur himself (See Arthur) and becomes a Knight who proves himself to be brave and courageous. He is also known to have had a sharp wit and keen sense of humour.
Damas
Little is known of this brave Knight, except for his impressive warring skills and courage.
Daniel
Thought to have been a brother of 'Dinadin' (See Dinadan).
Danu
Described as being very similar to 'Anu' the mother of all the gods in Ireland according to Irish legend. Believed to be of the ancestral blood line of the 'Tuatha de Danaan' (See Tuatha de Danaan).
Daoine Sidhe
According to Irish legend the Daoine Sidhe are the people who dwell in the Otherworld (See Otherworld). Unlike the 'Aes Sidhe' (See Aes Sidhe) when they leave the Otherworld to enter the world of mortals, the Daoine Sidhe do not intrude but live their lives beside man. They are no threat to man, hence they have also been known as 'the good people'.
Daronwy
Reputed in Arthurian Grail romances to have been a companion and perhaps counsellor of 'Arthur' (See Arthur). Generally referred to as a Sword Maiden.
David
aka 'Dewi', 'Aquaticus'. Associated with the early Celtic Church, patron saint of Wales (See Mystical-WWW Mystical Time : Dates, 1 March for more information on David).
Dechtire
Known to be the mother of 'Setanta' (See CuChulainn) by 'Lugh' (See Lugh). Sister of 'Conchobar mac Nessa' (See Conchobar).
Deer
An animal that is believed to be able to transform, hence its inclusion in many of the ancient tales, myths and legends such as 'Sir Galahad' (See Galahad). See Mystical-WWW Mystic's Menagerie : Deer. This was an animal that was also sacred to the Greek 'God Apollo' (See Apollo) to whom Arthur has been associated. In Celtic mythology the deer is able to transport the soul to the Otherworld (See Otherworld).
Deirdriu
Irish origin, described as having been the harpist for 'Conchobar' (See Conchobar), the daughter of the storyteller to the King of Ulster. She loved 'Naoisi', who temporarily managed to secure her release from Conchobar's court. With him and her brothers she fled, but Naoisi was killed by 'Eoghan' at Conchobar's request, and Deirdriu returned to Conchobar and his many promises. She was brought to Ulster to be his wife, and then later given to Eoghan. There are many legends surrounding her death; one tells that she killed herself by throwing herself out of Eoghan's chariot, another that she died of sorrow within a year of Naoisi's death and her marriage.
Delbchaem
Daughter of 'Morgan' (See Morgan) her father and 'Coinchend' her mother. It was said that the marriage of Delbchaem would have caused the death of her mother and therefore she was kept securely away. 'Art' though managed to kill all those monsters and demons that had been set to guard her, beheading her mother. Her story has been paralleled to that of the 'Joy in Court' telling of 'Gereint's' (See Gereint) experiences..
Demoiselle Blanchefleur
The sister of 'King Mark of Cornwall' (See Mark), in the majority of Anglo-Norman Arthurian legends she is the mother of 'Tristan' (See Tristan), more commonly known as 'Elyzabeth' by 'Malory' or 'Blanschefleur' by 'Strassburg'. In the Middle Ages.
Demoiselle Blanchefleur was said to be married to 'Rivalin of Parmenie' in some romances. According to another legend she was known to have loved 'Perceval' (See Perceval).
Derfel
aka 'Derfel Cadarn', 'Derfel the Strong', monk of the early Celtic Church, a soldier in his youth. It is believed that Derfel was one of 'Arthur's' Knights who was associated with the 'Battle of Camlan' (See Camlan). (See Mystical-WWW Mystical Time : Dates, 5 April for more information on Derfel).
Devon
Originally known as 'Defnas' by the early Celts. The mythological 'Brutus' (See Brutus) is said to have been accompanied by 'Debon' when he came from Troy to 'The Island' known then as 'Albion'. According to the story of Brutus, Debon was given this area of land which was then named after him. He is mentioned in the Elizabethan work of Spenser's (See Spenser) entitled 'Faerie Queene Book 2'.
Devorgilla
Sister of 'CuChulainn' (See CuChulainn) following their mixing of blood when he fought with her. CuChulainn injured Devorgilla, but he is said to have healed her wounds by sucking her blood, thus making them blood brother/sister. Their fight had arisen when he had tried to force her to marry 'Lugaid' (See Lugaid).
Diamond Jousts
One of the most famous associations with any of the Knights of the Round Table and the Arthurian court in the Norman romances of the Middle Ages is that of the confrontations and successes of the jousting tournaments. It is said that the name Diamond Jousts was given to the event, as Arthur provided the reward of a beautiful diamond to the winner.
The writer 'Tennyson' (See Tennyson) known for his development of the Christian and chivalrous Knight embellished the idea of the Diamond jousts further. There are nine diamonds and therefore nine jousts, all won by 'Lancelot' (See Lancelot). The legend of Lancelot and 'Elaine of Astolat' (See Elaine of Astolat) is associated with this development in the number of diamonds as Tennyson drawing on 'Malory's' work (See Malory), includes 'Guinevere' (See Guinevere) into the frame by indicating that having won the diamonds Lancelot desired to give them to her. Guinevere takes them but immediately flings them into the river. Tennyson here draws upon the relationship between the Knight and the Queen, and that of his relationship with Elaine. Jealousy is the driving force behind this action, as Lancelot is wearing the colours, the favour of Elaine.
Many wonder as to the location of these diamonds if they were to have actually existed. It would appear possible that the diamonds could have fallen into the River Usk if this is where the legendary court is believed to be located at 'Caerleon-on-Usk' (See Camelot).
Diancecht
Physician to the 'Tuatha de Danaan' (See Tuatha de Danaan). Believed to have made a replacement hand out of silver for 'Nuadu' (See Nuadu).
Diarmuid
The story of this Irish 'Fianna' (See Fianna) hero is similar to the Arthurian legends of 'Lancelot and Guinevere' (See Lancelot), (See Guinevere), and that of 'Tristan and Isolt' (See Tristan), (See Isolt). He was said to be irresistible to women, a nephew of 'Fionn' (See Fionn), and brought up by 'Angus Og' (See Angus mac Og).
Dinadan
aka 'Dinadin'. A Knight of the Round Table mostly known for his sense of humour and his love for playing pranks upon his fellow Knights. Killed by 'Mordred' (See Mordred).
Reputed to be the brother of 'Breunor' and 'Daniel', and in some legends a companion of 'Tristan' (See Tristan).
Dinas Emrys
Believed to be the location of 'Vortigern's Tower' (See Vortigern). According to the Druids it was said that in order for a tower to stay erect upon the hill thought to be in North Wales the blood of a boy needed to be spilt at the foundation. This was a very different view from 'Merlin' (See Merlin).
Dionise
In later Arthurian Grail romances Dionise was described as a chatelaine, or keeper of the house, who fell victim to an enchantment. 'Gawain' (See Gawain) is said to have freed her from this bondage, but later refused to marry her.
Diones
A low ranking official. Said to be the father of 'Nimue' (See Lady of the Lake) according to 'Malory' (See Malory).
Diwrnach
aka 'Dyrnwch', 'Diwrnach the Giant'. In the 'Spoils of Annwn' (See Taliesin), the Preiddeu Annwn, Diwenach is said to be the owner of a magic cauldron which only provides food for those who are courageous. This sacred cauldron is known to be similar to that of the tales of 'Ceridwen' (See Ceridwen), 'Bran the Blessed' (See Bran the Blessed) and 'The Hallows of the Grail' (See Hallows).
The vessel became known in the Welsh Triads and the Mabinogion as the 'Cauldron of Diwrnach the Giant' and was considered to be one of 'Thirteen Treasures of Britain' (See Hallows of Britain) for which Arthur journeyed to 'Annwn' (See Annwn) to recover as told in the 'Spoils of Annwn' by 'Taliesin' (See Taliesin). Arthur is said to bring this as spoil to the Upper Earth, but little is known of what happens to the rest of the treasures except that 'Merlin' (See Merlin) may have guarded them at Bardsey Island.
Dolorous Blow
One of the sacred 'Grail Hallows' (See Hallows), the Dolorous Blow was the name given to the wound that injured the 'Grail King' (See Grail King) known as 'King Pelles' (See Pelles). Pelles had been accidentally struck by 'Balin' (See Balin) causing 'The Wasteland' (See Wasteland) with the 'Spear of the Hallows' (See Hallows).
Don
Linked to the ancestral line of the 'Danu' (See Danu) according to Welsh legend. She is seen as the mother of the Celtic tribes, the 'Magna Mater'.
Don the Enchanter
Father of 'Arianrhod' (See Arianrhod), 'Gwydion' (See Gwydion) and 'Gilfaethwy'.
Donn
aka 'The Lord of the Dead'. The dead are believed in Irish legend to come together before they travel to the Otherworld (See Otherworld). It is said that they meet at Donn's house, which is near Munster.
Dragon
During the Middle Ages this creature was associated with sin itself by the Christian Church, seen as a symbol of paganism and the devil who was known as 'the great dragon'. Previously the ancient Welsh and Britons had viewed the dragon as something completely different. It had long had associations with the battle standard / emblem used at times of war, flown high at the commencement of the skirmish. In Welsh this dragon became known as the 'Pendragon', a symbol of national pride. This was also the name given to 'Uther, High King of Britain'. (See Uther Pendragon).
Druidan
There is little known of this character in Arthurian legend. Said to have been described as a dwarf, who unexpectedly received 'Ydian' (See Ydian) for himself as a present from 'Gawain' (See Gawain) when according to legend she attempted to leave him.
Duglas
aka 'Dubglas'. Although the specific location of the 'River Duglas' is not certain, in the early manuscripts of 'Nennius' (See Nennius), known as the 'Historia Britonum', there is an account of the historical 'Arthur' having fought twelve battles. Leading the Britons against the invading Saxons Arthur's involvement in three of the battles is thought to have occurred by this river, in an area described as 'Linnius'. The second, third and fourth battles may have been located here for some other reason although this is not known, but the work of Nennius is generally believed to be fairly reliable accounting for the possible location as it draws on the earliest accounts of the sixth-century of battles and of Arthur (See Arthur).
Dunstan
Abbot of Glastonbury (See Glastonbury) and Archbishop of Canterbury (AD961). According to the Cistercian monks he is also buried at the Abbey. Feast day is 19 May. He was known for his working with gold, producing beautiful chalices, and for having seen off the devil himself by attacking him with a pair of pincers. The pincers have become synonymous with Dunstan as a result.
Dwyn
aka 'Donwenna', 'Dwynwen'. One of the many daughters of 'King Brychan' (See Mystical-WWW Mystical Time : Dates, 6 April for more information on Brychan). Patron of lovers in Wales. Known to have been a nun, her feast day is 25 January.
Dyce, William
Nineteenth-century Scottish painter.
Dyce was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1806.
He is reputed to have travelled to Rome in 1825. It is whilst here that Dyce became familiar with the work of the Nazarenes, and later of the Pre-Raphaelites.
He was known as an historical and religious painter of frescoes. Dyce's most notable work was for a range of prestigious locations including The House of Lords, Buckingham Palace, and Osborne House, London (UK). Dyce was also responsible for the painting at All Saints', Margaret Street, London.
Dyce was Professor of Fine Arts at King's College, London (UK) from 1844.
Died in Streatham, London in 1864.
Dyfed
Wales.
Dylan
aka 'Son of the Wave'. Brother of 'Llew' (See Llew), and son of 'Arianrhod' (See Arianrhod) according to Welsh legend. Said to have been accidentally killed by his uncle 'Gogannon'.
Dyonas
Although there is little information on this character he is thought to have been the father of 'Vivienne' (See Vivienne).
Dyrnwyn
The famous sword of 'Rhydderch the Generous' (See Hallows of Britain).
Dywel
Said to be the brother of 'Gerient' (See Gerient).
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