Gwyn ap Nudd – my favourite welsh folktale

Wales – A land seeped in myth and legend with stories of dragons, magic and the otherworldly woven in to it’s very being.

Exploring the dramatic hills, forests and coastline of my now adopted home has been restorative for my soul, as well as helping to nurture my creativeness. It’s hard not to find the beautiful landscapes inspiring, their often ethereal nature creeping in to my jewellery and designs.

The autumn equinox has passed and Halloween is here (or as it’s known in welsh, Calan Gaeaf – first day of winter) so I thought I’d share one of my favourite Welsh folklore tales, inspirational autumnal images collected from my adventures, as well as some jewellery designs celebrating one of my most loved times of year.

One of the things I’ve loved most since moving to wales is discovering its vast and rich history. Full of so many stories and legends, one that really called to me though is that of Gwyn ap Nudd.
Gwyn ap Nudd is a Welsh mythological figure, the king of the Tylwyth Teg or “fair folk” and ruler of the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn.

Gwyn is said to have aided King Arthur in the hunt for the king of boars, Twrch Trwyth. After Arthur fails to slay Twrch and he escapes in to the sea, it is impossible to carry on hunt without Gwyn’s aid. Only the otherworldly Gwyn can ride the legendary water horse Du y Moroedd to hunt Twrch into the ocean, so he is called upon to help Arthur and his retinue.

Tales also tell of Gwyn being the head of the Wild Hunt, he is said to appear on horse back leading a pack of spectral hounds known as the Cŵn Annwn. White coated and red-eared, his favourite a red-nosed hound named Dormach. Through the winter months he rides out chasing down the souls of the dead. In Welsh folklore, to hear the baying of Gwyn’s hounds was said to be a portent of imminent death in the family. Some traditions name Gwyn’s chief huntsman as Iolo ap Huw, who, every Halloween, “may be found cheering the Cŵn Annwn over Cader Idris”

As well as being associated with Arthurian legend and the wild hunt, Gwyn’s most notable task was that of a Psychopomp. His responsibility was to escort newly deceased souls from Earth to the afterlife. A skilled and fierce warrior himself, he was seen as a mysterious figure who gathered the souls of fallen British warriors on the battlefield.

‘I was there where the warriors of Britain were slain
From the east to the north;
I live on; they are in the grave.
I was there when the warriors of Britain were slain
From the east to the south;
I live on; they are dead.’
The Dialogue of Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwyddno Garanhir, Black Book of Carmarthen.

Spending time in the beautiful welsh countryside it’s not hard to see how it inspired tales such as those of Gwyn. I’m lucky enough to look out over trees from my living room, a small woodland is next to our house that the dogs and I like to explore. My workshop is full of collected gifts from nature that catch my eye and come home with me. Often these collected jewels help inspire pieces like this little acorn necklace. Hand forged in sterling silver it features a beautiful golden topaz.

Since it is spooky season I had to share these beautiful labradorite coffin necklaces I made too. I loved the unusual shape and beautiful colours reflected in the stones. I only made two, so they’re very limited edition necklaces. I hope whoever gives them a home loves them as much as I do!

With the seasons shifting it definitely felt fitting to share tales gwyn ap nudd, ruler of the underworld, before he and his Cŵn Annwn begin their winter hunt again.

Calan Gaeaf Hapus!