The figures beneath each entry give reference numbers for the Bibliography
King of Macedonia 336-323 BC. He conquered the Persian Empire and died at Babylon.
Alexander was much celebrated in medieval romance. In PERCEFOREST he is an ancestor of Arthur as the result of an affair with Sebille, the Lady of the Lake in his time. In 1991 a literally work about Alexander the Great was published in Denmark. It was claimed to have been channeled from Aron, which is the name of Alexander in the spiritual world, to the publisher and coauthor, Margrethe Clara Grace. The works three volumes describe the life of not only Alexander the Great, but even all the incarnations he have lived since, ending in our time as no less than the American pop-singer Elvis Presley. The work might be ahead of its time, as only few copies were sold in Denmark and so far it hasn't been translated into other languages.
# 156 - 198 - 257
King of Terre Foraine and one of the Wounded Kings. After being baptised by Alain le Gros he attempted to look into the Grail and was struck down for his temerity. He is healed when the Grail is achieved.
# 454
(849-900) King of Wessex. He repulsed the Danes. It was while hiding in the marches of Somerset on the Isle of Athelney that he was supposed to have burnt the cakes. He also had a vision of the Virgin at whose feet he cast a jewel as a offering. In 1693 such a jewel was found, inscribed 'Alfred had me made'. (This is now housed at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford). Alfred codified laws, established the first real navy and was the translator of Boethius: 'CONSOLATIONS OF PHILOSOPHY'. He and Arthur are the two heroes who bracket that period called, by historians, the Dark Ages. Their two careers were concerned with the defence of Britain in battle and its civilization by means of the gentle arts.
# 454
Called 'the Beautiful Pilgrim'.Daughter of Ansirus le Pilgrim, one of Lancelot's many cousins. She helped Alisander le Orphelin escape from the castle of Morgan le Fay and afterwards married him. She always kept her face veiled, suggesting she was of more than mortal beauty. It was when she was unveiled that Alisander fell in love with her.
# 454
The King of Spain, a follower of Lucius. He was killed fighting against Arthur, during the latters campaign against the Romans (# 243). His name probably originated from Moorish influence in Spain in the Middle Ages.
# 156 - 243
The Byzantine emperor who, in CLIGES, married Fenice with whom, unfortunately, Cligés, his nephew was in love. Alis is a form of Alexius, a name borne by a number of Byzantine emperors.
# 156
# 156: Son of Baldwin, Mark's brother, by his wife Anglides. Mark had murdered his father. He was imprisoned by Morgan Le Fay but Alice the Beautiful Pilgrim helped him to gain his freedom and they subsequently married. Alisander was welcomed at Arthur's court. And from the Matthews(#454) we read this: He never reached Camelot and was numbered among Mark's knights.
# 156 - 418 - 454
The time of year when the boundaries between this world and the next weaken and the dead rise and walk amongst men. A time of year hallowed back into the distant past, honoured as Samhain, the new year. A time of year hallowed by both the followers of the Christ and those who still kept faith with the older, wilder gods. A time of power. A time of death.
# 582, vol. 3, p 150
In Kildare; Finn's chief fortress.
# 562
(ol'møø) (ol-en) Principal seat of Finn mac Cumaill; now the Hill of Allen 5 miles north-east of Kildare.
# 166
King of Northgalis. He went to war with Amoraldo, King of Ireland, who was supported by Lancelot. Tristan supported Alois. In due course, through the interventions of Guinevere and Iseult, the two leaders were reconciled.
# 156 - 238
Through all the sources consulted in making this encyclopaedia there does not seem to be a standard spelling for the places and peoples in the myths and historical events, which, of course, considering time and localities where it was written down, is not even a perfectly natural function but also inevitably. In this work, however, the editor have tried to mention several alternatives and place them properly beside the name chosen. But in addition to that, it might be helpful to the reader to have a list of the most often used names in Celtic tradition together with their alternate spellings. Below you will find a collection of some of these names, but we must emphasize that the alternate spelling-form is by no means less correct than the chosen form, and is brought only to clear the possible confusion if the same person's name or a place-name is spelled quite differently.
Ailill Ailell Amathaon Amatheon Amergin Amhairghin Angus Og Oengus Ard Macha Armagh Arianrhod Aranrhod - Arianrod Beltaine Beltane Blanaid Blathnat Blodeuwedd Blodeuedd Boanna Boyne (the River) Bran the Blessed Bendigeid Vran Breunis Saunce Pyté Breuse Sans Pitie Bricriu Nemthenga Bricriu of the Poison Tongue Brighid Brigit - Brigid - Bride Bugs Bug-A-Boos - Boggle-Boos - Bugbears Cailleach Beare Cailleach Bera - Cailleach Bheur Cathbad Cathub Celidon Celidoine - Cellydon - Cat Coin Celidon Celtchar Celtchair Children of Lir Children of Llyr Cluricaune Cluracan Conall Cernach Conall of the Victories Conchobar Conchobur Connla Conlaoch Craftiny Craiftine Credne Credné Crundchu Crunnchu Mac Agnoman CuChulain Cu Chulain - Cu Chulainn - Cú Chulaind Culhwch Kilhwch Cundrie Kundrie Dagda Dagdae Dana Danu Deirdre Deirdriu - Derdriu Dermot Mackerval Diarmuid mac Cearbhaill Dermot of the Love Spot Dermot O'Dyna Diarmuid Diarmuid Diarmaid - Dermot of the Love Spot Dindshenchas Dinnsenchus Dolorous Blow Dolorous Stroke Donn Cuailgne Donn Quelgny Dwyn, Saint Donwenna - Dwynwen Efnissien Evnissyen Emain Macha Emuin Machae Endellion, Saint Endelient - Endelienta Endimion Lyly Eochaid Echu - Eochy Erin Eire - Eyre - Ireland Etain Étaín Etheldreda, Saint Aethelthryth - Edeltrudis - Audrey Ethna Ethne Excalibur Caladfwlch - Caladbolg - Caliburn Feens Fians Fercetrniu Fercartna - Ferchertne Ferdia Ferdiad - Fer Diad Fergus Mac Leda Fergus Mac Leide - Fergus Mac Leite Feryllt Fferyllt Fiachra Fiachna Fianna of Erin Fenians Finn Fionn Finn Mac Cumhal Fionn Mac Cumhal - Finn Mac Cool Fir Dhearga Fir Darrig Fohla Fodla Gae Bulga Gae Bolg Geasa Geis - Geas - Gease - Ges Genii Cucullati Genius Cucullatus Gentle Annis Gentle Annie Gilfaethwy Gilvaethwy Glewlwyd Gafaelfawr Gog and Magog Gogmagog Grainne Grania Guendolena Guendoloena - Gwendolena Guinevere Gwenhwyfar - Gwnhwyvar Gwair Gweir - Gwrhyd - Ennwir Gwenfrewi Winefride Gwydion Gwydyon Hadrian Adrian Hector Ector Hilda, Saint Hildeburh Hreda Hretha Hounds of Ulster Hounds of Ulaid Igraine Igerne Iseult Isolde Kian Cian Kilhwch Culhwch Kymideu Kymeinvoll Leprechaun Luprecan Levarcam Levarcham Lewy Lugaid Llenlleawc Llwch Llawwyanawc Lleminawc - Llenllawc Llevelys Llefelys Lorica Luirech Lugaid Lewy Lugh Lug - Lugh of the Long Arm Luned Lunet - Linet Mac Cuill Mac Quill Mac Kerval Dermot Maeve Medb Manawydan Manawyddan Maponos Maponus Mara Mera Maxen Wledig Macsen Wledig - Maximus May Eve May Day Melvas Meleagaunce - Meleagraunce Merrows Murdhuacha - Mermaids Midir Mider - Midhir - Midar Moddey Dhoo Mauthe Doog Morgan Morgana - Morgan Le Fay Munsalväsche Montsalvat Myrddin Merlin Naoisi Noísiu Neman Neamhan - Nemainn Nicht Nought Nothing Nicht Nocht Naethin Noggle Nuggle - Nygel Odin Woden Oenghus Oengus Mac Og - Angus Ogham Ogamic Oimelc Imbolc Oscar Osgar Osfrid Osfrith Osthryd Osthryth Pach Patch Padern Paternus Partholon Partholan Pechs Pehts - Picts Pellam Pelles Pixies Pigsies - Piskies Rhitta Ricca - Rith Samhain Samain - Samuin Taltiu Telta Teirnyon Twyrvliant Telltown Teltin Thunor Tor - Thor Tigernmas Tiernmas Tintagel Tintagil Tonn Clidna Tonn Cliodhna Tuatha De Danaan Tuatha De Danann - Túatha Dé Danand Tudwal Tudglyd Uisliu Usnach Ulster Ulaid Usnech Uisliu - Usnach Viviane Vivienne - Vivionn Wales Cymru Witege Wayland - Wieland - Voelund 'thelfrith Ethelfrid 'delr'd Ethelred 'thelthryth Etheldreda 'lle Aelle
A cruel and avaricious king who lived before the times of Arthur, but whose actions determined much of the later quest for the Grail. Together with his followers, he raped the damsels of the wells and stole their golden cups. In Arthur's time, the descendants of these damsels and knights, lived deep in the forest. Behind this story is a powerful myth of otherworldly women, representing the Sovereignty of the land, who guard the Hallows of Britain but whose guardianship is eroded and usurped, causing the Wasteland. Only the finding of the Grail can heal the land.
# 454 - 461
A knight of Mark who accused his royal master of treachery. Trial by combat ensued, in which Mark proved the victor.
# 156
Human sacrifices abolished by Amasis I.
# 562
# 562: Son of D"n; In 'Culhwch and Olwen', Amathaon is the only one who can do the ploughing task, and he will not.
# 454: He is described as a wild husband-man, and in the poem attributed to Taliesin, the 'Cad Goddeu', where he fights his brother, Gwydion, against the Arawn, king of Annwn. The modern Welsh for farmer is still 'amaethwr', but we can only speculate as to the original nature of Amaethon, who may indeed have fulfilled the function of a patron of agriculture.
# 104 - 226 - 259 - 454 - 562
The name of a famous race of warrior women in Greek mythology. Medieval legend claimed they were, in origin, Goths who, under Marpesia, formed an army of women and travelled to Africa by way of the Caucasus. It was only to be expected that they would surface from time to time in Arthurian romance. Thus, Tristan the Younger rescued their queen from the king of the Idumeans. They fought with Gawain and their queen was slain by the Crop-eared Dog. The MORTE ARTHURE says they were subjects of Arthur's foe, Lucius. In Spencer's poem THE FAIRIE QUEENE their queen, Radigund, was killed by Britomart.
# 81 - 156
According to Nennius, this was the fatherless child whom Vortigern intended to sacrifice. Geoffrey of Monmouth, however, maintained that Ambrosius the child was identical with Merlin and distinct from Ambrosius Aurelius. Nennius in fact contradicts himself by saying Ambrosius was a Roman consul's son. His career, as outlined by Geoffrey, is as follows: when his brother, King Constans of Britain, was murdered by Vortigern he was smuggled to Brittany, whence he returned to Britain with his brother, Uther, anxious to seize the throne from the usurper. He laid siege to Vortigern's tower and burnt it down, thereby causing Vortigern's death. He defeated the Saxons and then had their leader, Hengist, killed. Paschent, Vortigern's son made war against him and had him poisoned by a Saxon, Eopa. According to the fifteenth-century poet, Rhys Goch Eryri, his head was buried beneath Dinas Emrys. That Ambrosius was a genuine historical character is not in doubt. Gildas, who calls him Ambrosius Aurelianus (certainly the most correct form of his name) claims he began the fighting that eventually ended the Saxon attacks. It has even been suggested that he is the original of Arthur, though Geoffrey of Monmouth says that he is his nephew.
# 32 - 156 - 243 - 494
A knight in Lovelich's MERLIN whose existence is due to a misunderstanding by the author who thought the French phrase oiseau au brai was a personal name.
# 156
A queen whose kingdom had almost entirely been conquered by Roaz. Arthur sent Wigalois to aid her. See LAR.
# 156 - 746
(am ORG in, or OY ar gin) Milesian poet, son of Miled, husband of Skena. His strange lay, sung when his foot first touched Irish soil; his judgment, delivered as between the Danaan's and Milesians; chants incantation to land of Erin; Amergin the Druid, gives judgment as to claims to sovranty of Eremon and Eber; Ollav F"la is compared with Amergin. THE JUDGMENT OF AMERGIN: The Milesian host, after landing, advance to Tara, where they find the three kings of the Danaans awaiting them, and summon them to deliver up the island. The Danaans ask for three days' time to consider whether they shall quit Ireland, or submit, or give battle; and they propose to leave the decision, upon their request, to Amergin. Amergin pronounces judgment -"the first judgment which was delivered in Ireland." He agrees that the Milesians must not take their foes by surprise - they are to withdraw the lenght of nine waves from the shore, and then return; if they then conquer the Danaans the land is to be fairly theirs by right of battle. The Milesians submit to this decision and embark on their ships. But no sooner have they drawn off for this mystical distance of the nine waves than a mist and storm are raised by the sorceries of the Danaans - the coast of Ireland is hidden from their sight, and they wander dispersed upon the ocean. To ascertain if it is a natural or a Druidic tempest which afflicts them, a man named Aranan is sent up to the masthead to see if the wind is blowing there also or not. He is flung from the swaying mast, but as he falls to his death he cries his message to his shipmates: 'There is no storm aloft.' Amergin, who as poet - that is to say, Druid - takes the lead in all critical situations, thereupon chants his incantation to the land of Erin. The wind falls, and they turn their prows, rejoicing, towards the shore. But one of the Milesian lords, Eber Donn, exults in brutal rage at the prospect of putting all the dwellers in Ireland to the sword; the tempest immediately springs up again, and many of the Milesian ships founder, Eber Donn's among them. At last a remnant of the Milesians find their way to shore, and land in the estuary of the Boyne.
# 562
(ov'ar gin moc at) An Ulster warrior; husband of Findchoem, Conchobar's sister.
# 166
Known as the Grail King/Fisher King in Wolfram. The son of the Grail King Frimutel, he was wounded in the scrotum by an envenomed spear while jousting. He was carried into the presence of the Grail where he awaited the coming of the questioner (Perceval) who would ask the question about the Grail and thus restore him to health. Amfortas is called Anfortas in Wagner's opera Parzival. His name may be derived from Latin infirmitas.
# 156 - 748
The son of Joshua and an ancestor of Arthur in the pedigree of John of Glastonbury. Father of Castellors.
# 156
According to Welsh sources, the father of Igaine (Eigyr), the mother of Arthur. Amlawdd is also credited with being the father of Goleuddydd and Rieingulid who were, respectively, the mothers of Arthur's cousins, Culhwch and Illtyd. Amlawdd's wife was called Gwen. The word Wledig is a title meaning, roughly, 'chief', perhaps used as a Celtic translation of the Latin title Protector.
# 156
Gauls described by Ammianus Marcellinus. See: GAULS.
# 562
Father of Conall of the Victories.
# 562
In the TAVOLA RITONDA, the son of Marhaus. He was made a knight by Tristan. In due course he ascended the throne of Ireland and became involved in a war with King Alois of Northgalis. Tristan supported Amoroldo, Lancelot supported Alois. However, Iseult and Guinevere brought about a rapprochement between the two knights. Amoroldo was eventually slain by Lancelot. The name Amoroldo is Italian for Marhaus, and the name is used for both father and son.
# 156 - 238
According to Nennius, the son of Arthur, probably identical with Amhar, son of Arthur mentioned in the MABINOGION. The form Amr is preferable to Anir, which is also found. Nennius says that Arthur killed him at Archenfield and that he was buried under a mound called Licat Anir.
# 156 - 494
The son of Bedivere.
# 156
The chaplain to Guinevere, he had originally been chaplain to her father. He eventually became an anchorite.
# 156
King of Macedon, defeated and exiled.
# 562
Icenian warrior goddess of Victory, propitiated by Boudicca in her campaigns against the Romans. She was worshipped in a sacred grove. Boudicca released a hare as part of the rite of propiation.
# 446 - 454
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