Cred, waiting at Loch Cred, became so anguished when Cano did not turn up that she dropped the stone, which fragmented, and Cano died three days later.

Caradawc

[W] Son of Bran who ruled Britain with six chieftains in his father’s absence in Ireland. When news of Bran’s death came, his six companions were killed by Caswallon, son of Beli, who threw the “Veil of Illusion” on Caradawc and caused his death as well.

Castle of Wonders

[W] A great castle where Peredur, in the later guise of Perceval, finds the Grail.

Caswallon

[W] Son of Beli. While Bran the Blessed is fighting Matholwch in Ireland, Caswallon leads an insurrection in the Island of the Mighty (Britain) and, on the news of Bran’s death in Ireland, becomes its ruler.

Cat

A mystical animal in Celtic myth, especially in the Irish tales. There are eight words for “cat” in Irish, one of which, puss, has been borrowed into English as a pet-name for a cat. Cats permeate the myths. One, for example, Irusan of Knowth, would often make off with people. Monstrous cats dwell in caves, while Lughtigern (mouse lord) is a heroic animal.

Cathbad

[I] The personal druid of Conchobhar Mac Nessa and, in some versions, his father. He married Maga, widow of Ross the Red, and his children were Dechtiré, mother of Cúchulainn, Elbha, the mother of Naoise, and Findchaem, mother of Conall of the Victories. He features in most of the Red Branch sagas.

Cath Godeu

[W] Battle of the Trees. See Archen

Cathubodba

A broken inscription in Gaul, “ . . .athubodba” would seem to be Cathubodba. This may well be the Gaulish equivalent of Badb Catha, “war fury,” and therefore a goddess of war.

Cauldron, Magic

This is an essential theme in Celtic mythology. The quest for a magic cauldron is a popular motif in both major branches of the myths. The Dagda, father of the gods, had a magic cauldron from Murias, and no one parted from it hungry. Cúchulainn and Cú Roí stole from a mysterious castle a magic cauldron that produced gold and silver. Midir the Proud owned another magic cauldron. The parallels in Welsh myths involve the quest for a cauldron in “The Spoils of Annwn,” which is regarded as the prototype for the “Holy Grail” stories. There is also the “Cauldron of Rebirth,” which is a magic cauldron given to Bran the Blessed and which he then gives to Matholwch. A slain