Dyrnwyn (sword of Rhydderch Hael)
Basket of Gwyddno Garanhir
Horn of Bran Galed
Platter of Rhegynydd Ysgolhaig
Chariot of Morgan Mwynfawr
Halter of Clydno Eiddyn
Knife of Llawfrodedd Farchawg
Cauldron of Tyrnog
Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd
Robe of Padarn Beisrudd
Mantle of Tegau Eururon
Chessboard of Gwenddoleu
Mantle of Arthur
This list from the medieval Mabinogion manuscript gives us a precious insight into the heroic Iron Age culture of ancient Britain as it survived in Wales. Though found in a collection of 13th-century manuscripts bound into two books, the 11 stories clearly predate Geoffrey of Monmouth's skilful retelling of the legend of Arthur, and the Mabinogion was also a source that provided Tolkien with rich imagery. It cast shades, too, over JK Rowling's Harry Potter, and has inspired Japanese anime.
Among its legends, the most potent, perhaps, were those of Dyrnwyn – the "white hilt" sword of Rhydderch Hael, which, if any man except Hael drew it, would burst into a flame from point to hilt; and the mantle of Arthur, which was basically an invisibility cloak. Other magical clothing came in the form of the robe of Padarn Beisrudd, which fitted everyone of gentle birth (but no churl could wear it), and the mantle of Tegau Eururon, which only fitted ladies whose conduct was irreproachable.
Many of the stories were about the provision of plenty: if food for one man was put into the basket of Gwyddno Garanhir, it would suffice for a hundred; the horn of Bran Galed always found the very beverage that each drinker most desired; the platter of Rhegynydd Ysgolhaig always contained the very food that the eater most liked; the knife of Llawfrodedd Farchawg would serve 24 men simultaneously at any meal; while the cauldron of Tyrnog would instantly cook any meat put in for a brave man, but never boil for a coward. In similar vein, if the sword of a brave man was sharpened on the whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd its cut was certain death, but if of a coward, the cut was harmless.
Futher wish-fulfilment arrived in the form of the chariot of Morgan Mwynfawr, which transported him in a moment, wherever he desired, and the halter of Clydno Eiddyn, which provided whatever horse he wanted.
Finally – and most Potter-like – there was the chessboard of Gwendolleu – a golden chessboard with men of silver. When the men were placed upon it, they would play themselves.
Tomorrow: 14 and Bach
• Taken from Rogerson's Book of Numbers by Barnaby Rogerson (Profile).
