Oct 06 2024 6 mins
Old Celtic tales.
The Quest of the Seven Champions, part1: The Seven Champions of Arthur.
These stories were told in old days to British boys and girls as they
sat round the fireside and heard the wind outside skirling among the
wild Welsh hills. But, no doubt, in time they crossed the border,
and were told also to English children, such as most of you, who knew
and loved the charming tales of Arthur and his knights.
In the days of King Arthur there lived a noble young prince named
Kilhugh, to whom it had been foretold that he should never marry
until he could win for his wife the maiden Olwen, daughter of
Thornogre Thistlehair, the Chief of the Giants. But, though he was
full of love towards the very name of the unknown maid, he could not
find out where she lived, nor could anyone tell him anything about
her.
He was not cast down, however, but set off upon his steed of dappled
grey to seek help from his kinsman Arthur. A fine sight he was,
indeed, as he rode along on his prancing horse. His bridle was made
of golden chains, his saddle-cloth of fine purple, from the corners
of which hung four golden apples of great value.
His slung war horn was of ivory, his sword of gold, inlaid with a
cross that shone like the lightning of heaven; his stirrups also were
of pure gold. Two spears with silver shafts were in his hand, and
two beautiful greyhounds, wearing collars set with rubies, sprang
before him "like two sea-swallows sporting." So lightly did his
charger step that the blades of grass did not bend beneath his tread.
At length he came to Arthur's castle, and having with much difficulty
satisfied the Chief of the Porters of the Gate, a sturdy warrior
known as the Dusky Hero with the Mighty Grasp, he made his way into
Arthur's presence, and told the King his story.
"This one boon I crave of thee, O King," he ended, "that thou wilt
obtain for me Olwen, the daughter of Thornogre Thistlehair, Chief of
the Giants, to be my bride. I ask it of thee and of all thy valiant
knights, for the sake of all the fair ladies who have ever lived in
this land."
Then Arthur said: "My Prince, I have never heard of this maiden, nor
of her kindred, but messengers shall at once set forth to seek her if
thou wilt give them time."
So it was agreed that, this being New Year's Day, they should be
given until the last day of the year for their quest.
The messengers of Arthur set forth in haste, each taking a different
way. They travelled throughout all the land of Britain, the "Island
of the Mighty," and then to foreign lands, asking as they went: "Dost
thou know aught of Olwen, the daughter of Thornogre Thistlehair,
Chief of the Giants?"
But everyone said "No."
At length came the end of the year, and on the appointed day the
messengers appeared in the wide White Hall of Arthur's castle, and
all alike declared that they had no news whatever to declare
concerning the maiden Olwen.
Then Kilhugh was very angry, and said in hasty words: "I alone am
denied by my lord the gift I ask. I will depart from hence at once,
and take with me the honour of Arthur, whom men call the most
honourable King." But Kai, one of the knights, reproved him for his
angry speech, and offered to go forth with him and any others who
would accompany them, saying:
"We will not part till we have found the maiden, or till thou art
forced to own she is not among those who dwell on this earth."
So Arthur chose six of his knights to go forth with Prince Kilhugh
upon his quest.
First came Kai, whose offer had but just been spoken. An excellent
spy and sentinel was he, for he could make himself as tall as the
tallest tree in the forest, and so scan all the country round. He
could hide himself under water, and lie hidden in lake or river for
nine days and nights if need be. Such fire was in his nature that
when they needed warmth his companions had but to kindle the piled
wood at his finger; he could walk through torrents of rain as dry as
on a summer's day; he could go for nine days and nights without
sleep, and no doctor could heal the wound made by his sword.
Next came Sir Bedivere, close brother-in-arms to Kai, the swiftest
runner, save Arthur himself and one other, in all the land.
One-handed was he, yet he could give more wounds in battle than any
three warriors together.
Then followed Uriel, who understood the speech of all men and all
beasts; and Gawain, who was called the "Hawk of May," because he
never returned from any undertaking until it had been performed by
him.
The fifth to answer Arthur's call was Merlin, a master of magic, who
knew how to put a spell upon the knights that would render them
invisible.
Last came Peregrine the Guide, who knew how to find the way as well
in a strange country as in his own.
"Go forth, O Chieftains," said the King, "and follow the Prince upon
this quest; and great shall be the fame of your adventure."
So the Seven Champions rode forth through the great gates of the
palace, and set out with high hearts to seek for Olwen, daughter of
Thornogre Thistlehair, Chief of the Giants.