Thirteen Treasures of Britain
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In ancient Celtic mythology, the Thirteen Royal Treasures of the Isle of Britain or in Welsh Tri Thlws ar Ddeg Ynys Prydain were as follows:
- Dyrnwyn, gleddyf Rhydderch Hael: White-Hilt, the Sword of Rhydderch Hael: if a well-born man drew it himself, it burst into flame from its hilt to its tip. And everyone who used to ask for it would receive; but because of this peculiarity everyone used to reject it. And therefore he was called Rhydderch the Generous.
- Mwys Gwyddno Garanir: The Hamper of Gwyddno Long-Shank: food for one man would be put in it, and when it was opened, food for a hundred men would be found in it.
- Korn Bran Galed o'r Gogledd: The Horn of Bran the Niggard from the North: whatever drink might be wished for was found in it.
- Kar Morgan Mwynfawr: The Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy: if a man went in it, he might wish to be wherever he would, and he would be there quickly. Also known as the Chariot of Arianrod.
- Kebystr Klyddno Eiddin: The Halter of Clyddno Eiddyn, which was fixed to a staple at the foot of his bed: whatever horse he might wish for, he would find in the halter.
- Kyllell Llawfrodedd Farchog: The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman, which would serve for twenty-four men to eat at table.
- Pair Dyrnwch Gawr: The Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant: if meat for a coward were put in it to boil, it would never boil; but if meat for a brave man were put in it, it would boil quickly (and thus the brave could be distinguished from the cowardly).
- Hogalen Tudwal Tutklyd: The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd: if a brave man sharpened his sword on it, if it (then) drew blood from a man he would die. If a cowardly man (sharpened his sword on it), he (his opponent) would be no worse.
- Pais Badarn Beisrydd: The Coat of Padarn Red-Coat: if a well-born man put it on, it would be the right size for him; if a churl, it would not go upon him.
- Gren a desgyl Rhygenydd Ysgolhaig: The Crock and the Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric: whatever food might be wished for in them, it would be found.
- Gwyddbwyll Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio: The Chessboard of Gwenddolau son of Ceidio: if the pieces were set, they would play by themselves. The board was of gold, and the men of silver.
- Llen Arthyr yng Nghernyw: The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall: whoever was under it could not be seen, and he could see everyone.
These belong to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; the earliest manuscript contains only the names of the Treasures without the explanatory comments. The earliest versions refer to the Treasures "that were in the North" and the majority of names are from the poem Y Gogledd. In a few of the later versions two other Treasures are added (the Mantle of Tegau Eurfon and Eluned's Stone and Ring), dropping one item and counting "the Crock and the Dish" as one item instead of two which makes the number thirteen.
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[edit] Further reading
The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell features the quest to find the Treasures by Merlin and King Arthur and makes the connection between these treasures and the later myth concerning Arthur's supposed quest for the Holy Grail.
