Maylor Gawr
Encyclopedia
Maylor Gawr is a giant
of Welsh folklore
, who lived in Castell Maylor near Aberystwyth
before "the coming of Brutus
to this island
". The tale of Maylor and his three sons, Cornippyn, Crygyn and Bwba, is recorded in the late sixteenth century "The Giants of Wales and their dwellings" by Sion Dafydd Rhys.
It came to pass that Maylor was captured in Cyfeilog, about twelve miles from his own castle and was sentenced to death. His enemies allowed him his final request to blow on his horn three times before his death. The first time he blew, his hair and beard fell out, and on the second blast of his horn, so great was the strength and force of the sounding that all his finger and toe-nails fell off completely. On the third blast of his horn the intensity of the force of the sound caused the horn to be broken into small pieces.
Cornippin, who was hunting with his horse and his hound, heard the sound of his father's horn and lamented over his suffering. He made to rescue his father and in riding with such haste and swiftness, he tore the head of his hound off its body. He spurred his horse onwards, leaped in one great bound over the Ystwyth
river and attacked his father's captors. In the ensuing battle, Cornippin was slain.
The other sons, Crygyn and Bwba, lived in Llan Hilar and Llanbadarn Fawr
respectively, and murdered any man who approached their stronghold. They were both killed themselves through cunning, by an unnamed warrior in the same night.
Giant (mythology)
The mythology and legends of many different cultures include monsters of human appearance but prodigious size and strength. "Giant" is the English word commonly used for such beings, derived from one of the most famed examples: the gigantes of Greek mythology.In various Indo-European mythologies,...
of Welsh folklore
Welsh mythology
Welsh mythology, the remnants of the mythology of the pre-Christian Britons, has come down to us in much altered form in medieval Welsh manuscripts such as the Red Book of Hergest, the White Book of Rhydderch, the Book of Aneirin and the Book of Taliesin....
, who lived in Castell Maylor near Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
before "the coming of Brutus
Brutus of Troy
Brutus or Brute of Troy is a legendary descendant of the Trojan hero Æneas, known in mediæval British legend as the eponymous founder and first king of Britain...
to this island
Prydain
Prydain is the modern Welsh name for Britain.-Medieval:Prydain is the medieval Welsh term for the island of Britain . More specifically, Prydain may refer to the Brittonic parts of the island; that is, the parts south of Caledonia...
". The tale of Maylor and his three sons, Cornippyn, Crygyn and Bwba, is recorded in the late sixteenth century "The Giants of Wales and their dwellings" by Sion Dafydd Rhys.
It came to pass that Maylor was captured in Cyfeilog, about twelve miles from his own castle and was sentenced to death. His enemies allowed him his final request to blow on his horn three times before his death. The first time he blew, his hair and beard fell out, and on the second blast of his horn, so great was the strength and force of the sounding that all his finger and toe-nails fell off completely. On the third blast of his horn the intensity of the force of the sound caused the horn to be broken into small pieces.
Cornippin, who was hunting with his horse and his hound, heard the sound of his father's horn and lamented over his suffering. He made to rescue his father and in riding with such haste and swiftness, he tore the head of his hound off its body. He spurred his horse onwards, leaped in one great bound over the Ystwyth
Ystwyth
Ystwyth may refer to:* River Ystwyth, a river in West Wales, which drains into Cardigan Bay at Aberystwyth* Cwm Ystwyth Lead Mine, a disused lead mine in the valley of the River Ystwyth* Baron Ystwyth, an extinct title in the peerage of the United Kingdom...
river and attacked his father's captors. In the ensuing battle, Cornippin was slain.
The other sons, Crygyn and Bwba, lived in Llan Hilar and Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanbadarn Fawr is an urbanised village and community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is located on the outskirts of Aberystwyth situated next to Penparcau and Southgate. It forms the eastern part of the continually built-up area of Aberystwyth...
respectively, and murdered any man who approached their stronghold. They were both killed themselves through cunning, by an unnamed warrior in the same night.