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Arthurian A2Z
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Raven

This bird is seen to be a representation of Goddesses within the stories of the Mabinogion, whereas the bird is seen to be associated with 'Morrighan' (See Morrighan) in Irish legend, said to have appeared over the battlefields with her sisters 'Badbh' (See Badbh) and 'Nemainn' (See Nemainn). Perhaps this is why the bird has been connected with misfortune, even being a name attributed to the 'Lady of the Lake' (See Lady of the Lake). 'Morgan Le Fay' (See Morgan le Fay) appears in this form in the 'Didot Perceval'. The raven is further associated with 'Bran' (See Bran the Blessed) as his name is said to mean raven, and with 'Owain' (See Owain).

In Celtic legend the raven-crow goddess 'The Blessed Raven' is important for her three main points, these being war, fertility and prophecy. 'Lugos' is said to have possessed two ravens which provided him with the same powers as 'Odin, God of the Dead' (See Odin) in Norse mythology.

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Reneart

Perhaps this character may be seen to have had a fortunate escape as a lover of 'Morgan' (See Morgan le Fay) who later abandoned her.

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Rhiannon

aka 'Great Queen', 'Great Lady', 'Rigantona', daughter of 'Hefaidd Hen', a Lord of the Underworld of Welsh origin. Mother -in-law of 'Cigfa' (See Cigfa).

Eventually it is thought Rhiannon was first married to 'Pwyll, a Lord of Annwn' (See Pwyll) after she had explained to him how he could outwit 'Gwall'. She had been tricked by Gwall into a marriage proposal. With Pwyll she is believed to be the mother of 'Pryderi' (See Pryderi). Her child was stolen from the cradle where he lay and taken to the Otherworld (See Otherworld). In order to make it look like she had eaten the child her nurses smeared Rhiannon's face with blood from dead puppies it is said to avoid being suspected as part of the abduction themselves. For the believed eating of her child she was made to carry visitors to the court on her back as a penance, but was later absolved of this crime by the return of Pryderi from the Otherworld.

On the death of her husband, Rhiannon married 'Manawyddan' (See Manawyddan), and is said to have travelled to the Otherworld where she stayed for a considerable time with her son, but eventually returning with the help of Manawyddan.

There is some confusion surrounding her marriage, as some say that she may have been married to 'Arawn' (See Arawn) who was living in the Otherworld prior to Pwyll. This confusion may arise out of the fact that Pwyll exchanged places with Arawn for a year (See Pwyll) in order that he escape retribution from Arawn and defeat 'Hafgan' (See Hafgan).

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Rhydderch Hael

aka 'Rhydderch the Generous', 'Rodarchus Largus'. Second husband of 'Guendolena' (See Gunedolena). He was said to be the owner or guardian of a sacred cauldron (See Hallows) which provided food to the courageous, but more well-known for his sword 'Dyrnwyn' (See Excalibur), 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).

According to 'Geoffrey of Monmouth' (See Geoffrey of Monmouth) in 'Vita Merlini' he was victorious over 'Gwenddolau' during the 'Battle of Arfderydd'. It has been suggested that this character may be based upon an historical figure known as 'Rhydderch ap Tudwal, King of Dumbarton' in the sixth-century. Again according to Monmouth it is Rhydderch who eventually marries 'Merlin's' (See Merlin) wife known as Guendolena.

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Rhydderch ap Tudwal

'King of Dumbarton' (See Rhydderch Hael).

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Rhygenydd

The owner of the 'Crock and Dish' regarded as two of the 'Thirteen Treasures of Britain' (See Hallows of Britain) for which 'Arthur' (See Arthur) journeyed to 'Annwn' (See Annwn) to recover as told in the 'Spoils of Annwn' by 'Taliesin' (See Taliesin). According to the legends told in the Mabinogion and the Welsh Triads the Crock and Dish of Rhygenydd would provide a large meal of any sort desired.

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Rhyverys

Reputed to be one of 'Arthur's' (See Arthur) many stewards and aids, known as the 'master of the hounds'.

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Riderich

Little is known about this character except that he was said to be a bard at the court of 'Arthur' (See Arthur).

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Rigantona

'Great Queen', 'Great Lady'. Many of the ancient Celtic female deities were known by this name, the most popularised being 'Rhiannon' (See Rhiannon). The name is deemed to be the feminine equivalent to 'Tigernonos', meaning 'Great King', 'Great Lord', the most well known being 'Rhydderch the Generous' (See Rhydderch Hael).

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Rigru Roisclethan

aka 'Sovereignty' (See Sovereignty), 'Queen of Benn Edair'. Of Irish origin. Mother of 'Segda Saerlabraid' (See Segda Saerlabraid).

Rigru saved her son from death at the hands of 'Conn Cetchathach' (See Conn Cetchathach) whilst she was said to be in disguise as the feared wailing woman considered to be a prophetess, who appeared when any action about to be undertaken was deemed to bring misfortune, and was also leading a lowing cow.

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Ring of Ogier

This was a ring given to 'Ogier' by 'Morgan le Fay' (See Morgan le Fay), said to provided the wearer with the power of rejuvenation, allowing the person to be fit and well and youthful.

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Rivalin of Parmenie

Husband of 'Demoiselle Blanchefleur' (See Demoiselle Blanchefleur), brother-in-law of 'King Mark of Cornwall' (See Mark), and in some legends the father of 'Tristan' (See Tristan).

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Robert de Borron

Thirteenth-century, French writer of Arthurian legend, of 'Joseph d'Arimathie' and later 'Estoire del Saint Graal'; 'Joseph of Arimathea' (See Joseph of Arimathea) is shown to be a convert of the 'Apostle Philip', the Apostle of Britain, becoming known as the first Guardian of the Grail in line of Grail Guardians. Boron introduces the concept of all Grail Guardians being traceable back to Joseph of Arimathea. It has been suggested that the legend of 'Merlin' (See Merlin) as explored by the writer 'Malory' (See Malory) was influenced by Borron's 'Roman de Merlin' written c.AD1200.

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Ron

This, according to legend, was the name given to 'Arthur's' lance (See Arthur).

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Round Table

There are many legends surrounding the Round Table itself and the Knights who swore allegiance to 'Arthur' (See Arthur) meeting around it twice a year before setting off on their sacred quests to find 'The Grail' (See Grail).

Some legends tell that 'Merlin' (See Merlin) made the table at 'Carduel' for 'Uther Pendragon' (See Uther Pendragon). It is then believed to have been given by Uther to 'Leodegraunce' (See Leodegraunce) as a gift to Arthur upon his betrothal to 'Guinevere' (See Guinevere). In effect the table itself comes full circle back to the son of Uther, the original owner.

Merlin was believed responsible for developing the initial idea of the concept of the Round Table with Arthur, and the ensuing code of chivalry which was embodied in the best Knights of the land.

The table was said to have been made round for this purpose in order that no one man had presidency over another, in the same way as the meeting of chiefs in Celtic tradition, and said to have had a seating capacity varying, according to the legend, from twenty-five to fifty, through to one-hundred-and-fifty, with one seat left for the 'Sangrail' (See Sangrail). The meetings were held at Arthur's court, and said to involve the majority of the Knights overseen by Arthur, where mortals and Otherworldly (See Otherworld) folk would meet.

The Round Table can also be compared to the enclosure known as 'Clas Myrddyn' (See Clas Myrddyn).

The concept of the Round Table as we now know it, of Arthurian legend and romance, is first mentioned in the twelfth-century by 'Wace' (See Wace) in the 'Roman de Brut'. It should be pointed out that many would argue that the concept of a Round Table appeared in Irish tradition in association with the chiefs and Kings of Ireland, and particularly the father of the 'Fair Cristabelle'.

The table which is housed at Winchester is not believed to be the original Round Table but merely a monarchic hoax. (See Winchester).

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Rowena

In the writing of 'Geoffrey of Monmouth' (See Geoffrey of Monmouth) she is the daughter of 'Hengist', of Saxon heritage. Described as being married to 'Vortigern' (See Vortigern).

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Ryons

aka 'Riance', 'Rience'. This character appears in Arthurian legend as a 'King of North Wales', 'of Northgalles'. He asks 'Arthur' (See Arthur) to send him his own beard upon his coronation so that it may be added to his collection, but Arthur declines. Arthur goes on to defeat Ryons, perhaps for his impertinence and presumption that he could ask such a question of a king.

As Rience, in the work entitled the 'Faerie Queen' by 'Edmund Spenser' (See Spenser), he is described by as the father of 'Britomart' (See Britomart).

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All documents, in part, in section or whole, are copyrighted and the sole property of Mystical World Wide Web. The work may not be duplicated in any form for private or public use including all electronic forms without the prior permission of the Producer (copyrighted).
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Producer mellpaul@mystical-www.co.uk