dynasty of Gwynedd, while his sons form other kingdoms such as Ceredigion (Cardigan).

Curad-mir

[I] “The Hero’s Portion,” a motif that features in such tales as “Mac Da Thó’s Boar” and “Bricriu’s Feast.” It is a choice cut of meat, usually a piece of thigh, reserved for the greatest champion attending a feast, and therefore this apportionment was often the start of a quarrel between the warriors.

Cú Roí

[I] Son of Daire and a king of Munster. In one of the prototype versions of the theme that became famous in the story “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” it is Cú Roí who presents himself to the Red Branch warriors and challenges them to cut off his head and then to let him retaliate. In most of the stories in which he appears there is nothing supernatural about him and he is finally slain by Cúchulainn after he kidnaps Blathnát, daughter of the king of Inis Fer Falga.

Curragh

[I] Cognate with the Welsh cwrwgl (coracle). The most popular of boats used in the sagas and tales.

Custennin

[W] A giant shepherd in the territory of Yspaddaden the Giant who, with his wife, helps Culhwch in his quest for Olwen. They arrange for Olwen to meet Culhwch at their house. There is a further symbolism here, for Custennin’s wife is actually Culhwch’s aunt (his mother’s sister), and in their house two worlds meet—the real world and the world of giants. In some versions he is made the brother of Yspaddaden.

Cwn Annwn

[W] The hounds of the Otherworld, perhaps translated as “hounds of hell.” They first appear as the hounds of Arawn in the story where Pwyll chases then off a deer so that he might claim it. Then Gwyn ap Nudd has domain over them. Folklore in Wales has created many evil creatures with white bodies and red ears, racing through the countryside on dark, stormy nights, pursuing the souls of unshriven men or unbaptised children. The folk tradition of the “hounds of hell” emanating from Celtic myth is fairly widespread even in non-Celtic areas.

Cwrwgl

[W] See Curragh.

Cwy

[W] A mysterious person referred to by Taliesin:

I will not allow much praise to the spiritless.
They know not on what day, or who caused it,
Or in what hour of the serene day Cwy was born,