in the tales of Cúchulainn and his charioteer Laeg. While the charioteer concentrated on driving, the warrior could run along the yoke between the horses and cast his spear over the heads of the galloping beasts before returning to the car. Caesar witnessed this tactic during his campaigns in Britain. It is interesting that most words for chariots in Latin are Celtic loan words—carpentum (from which derives our modern “car” as well as “carpenter”) and carruca, carrus, and rheda, and the essendum, the war chariot most popularly used by Gauls and Britons.

Chruinnaght, Yn

[W] Manx “Gathering” similar to the Welsh Eisteddfod but not on such a grand scale. It was revived as an annual event in 1977 after a lapse since 1939. It is held in July each year.

Cian

[I] A son of Dian Cécht, the god of medicine. Balor had stolen his cow and when he went to recover it he found Ethlinn locked in a tower by her father, Balor of the Evil Eye. It had been prophesied that Balor would die by the hand of his grandchild and he sought to keep his daughter Ethlinn away from men. But Cian entered the tower and seduced Ethlinn, who eventually bears him a son, Lugh Lámhfada, who fulfils the prophecy.

Cigfa

[W] Daughter of Gwynn Gohoyw and wife of Pryderi. She shares the tale of Pryderi, Rhiannon, and Manawydan during the enchantment of Dyfed.

Cildydd

[W] “Of the Hundred Holds.” One of Arthur’s warriors asked to accompany Culhwch.

Cilgwri, Ousel of

[W] An ancient bird who had pecked a smith’s anvil to the size of a nut, so long had she lived. But she is unable to help Culhwch in his search for Olwen.

Clas Myrddin

[W] An ancient name for Britain, “Myrddin’s Enclosure,” referred to in the White Book of Rhydderch.

Cliodhna

[I] Goddess of beauty who fell in love with a mortal named Ciabhan of the Curling Locks. They fled from the wrath of Manannán Mac Lir and landed in Glandore, Co. Cork. While Ciabhan went to hunt, Cliodhna was lulled asleep by beautiful music played by Manannán, who then sent a great wave to sweep her back to the Otherworld, leaving Ciabhan desolate.

Clothra

[I] She drowned her own sister Ethné while she was pregnant. She had an affair with her three bothers and bore a son to them who became the High King Lugaid Riab nDerg (“of the Red