Editing Bedivere (section)

== Bedwyr ==
In early Welsh sources, Bedwyr Bedrydant ("Bedwyr of the Perfect Sinew"<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dn11DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA234|title=King Arthur: The Making of the Legend|last=Higham|first=Nicholas J.|date=20 November 2018|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=9780300240863|language=en}}</ref>) is a handsome, one-handed warrior under [[King Arthur|Arthur]]'s command. His father is given as Pedrawd or Bedrawd, and his children as Amhren and Eneuawg, both members of Arthur's court.

One of the earliest direct references to Bedwyr can be found in the 10th-century poem ''[[Pa gur]]'' which recounts the exploits of a number of Arthur's men, including Bedwyr, Cei ([[Sir Kay|Kay]]) and [[Manawydan]]. Of Bedwyr, this narrative says:

{{Quote|They fell by the hundred / before Bedwyr of the Perfect-Sinew.<br>
On the shores of Tryfrwyd / fighting with [[Gwrgi Garwlwyd|Garwlwyd]] / furious was his nature / with sword and shield.<ref name="Pa Gur">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110723202344/http://www.markadderley.net/arthur/welsh-arthur/pagur.html ''Pa Gur'']}}</ref>}}

The 9th-century version of ''[[Englynion y Beddau]]'' ("The Stanzas of the Graves") gives Bedwyr's final resting place on [[Tryfan]].<ref name="Pa Gur"/> In the hagiography of [[Cadoc]], Bedwyr is alongside Arthur and Cei in dealing with King [[Gwynllyw]] of [[Gwynllwg]]'s abduction of [[Gwladys]] from her father's court in [[Brycheiniog]]. A possible allusion to Bedwyr could be found in the reference to Bedwyr's well in the 9th-century ''Marwnad Cadwallon ap Cadfan''. The [[Welsh Triads]] name Bedwyr as "Battle-Diademed", and a superior to Drystan ([[Tristan]]), [[Hueil mab Caw]] and even Cei.<ref>Bromwich, Rachel. ''Trioedd Ynys Prydein''.</ref> A catchphrase often quipped by Cei, "by the hand of my friend" is possibly a reference to Bedwyr's disability.<ref>Davies, Sioned. ''The Mabinogion''. Oxford University Press, 2005.</ref>

Bedwyr is a prominent character in the tale of ''[[Culhwch and Olwen]]'', in which he appears at the head of Arthur's court list with his friend Cei and is described as one of the most handsome men in the world (save for Arthur and Drych fab Cibddar), and is the wielder of a magical spear with the ability to separate the tip of the shaft to attack and that all the wounds caused by the spear were equal to nine wounds.<ref>S. Davies trans., ''The Mabinogion'' (Oxford 2007) p. 189-90.</ref> He is called upon to accompany [[Culhwch]] on his quest to win [[Olwen]]'s hand in marriage and is the first to strike the giant [[Ysbaddaden]] with the poisoned spear meant for Culhwch. Bedwyr goes on to assist Culhwch in completing the impossible tasks given to him by Ysbaddaden; he helps Cei and [[Goreu fab Custennin]] kill Wrnach the Giant, rescues [[Mabon ap Modron]] from his imprisonment, retrieves the hairs of Dillus the Bearded, captures the [[Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain|Cauldron of Diwrnach]] during Arthur's raid on Ireland, and takes part in the hunting of the monstrous boar [[Twrch Trwyth]] with Arthur's dog [[Cavall]] at his side.<ref>S. Davies trans., ''The Mabinogion'' (Oxford 2007) p. 193 and p. 205-10.</ref> The tale ends with the completion of the tasks, the humiliation and death of Ysbaddaden, and the marriage of Culhwch and Olwen.