THE Mabinogion holds a number of stories deeply rooted in the Welsh culture including one that sets the Amman Valley into the legend of King Arthur.

The story of Culhwch and Olwen follows Culhwch, a cousin of the legendary king, and his quest for love. Here we look at the story and the role the Amman Valley played.

Culhwch was born in a pig enclosure after his mother was scared by the pigs. Despite being the son of a king, he was raised by the swineherd in secret.

Shortly after this, his mother fell ill and died but before her death, she told her husband that he should not get a new wife until a two-headed briar appeared on her grave. She had previously told her confessor to strip the grave so nothing would grow on it, however, he neglected this duty around seven years later and one day, the king saw the briar on the grave.

He spoke with council and they suggested the wife of King Doged. The council killed King Doged and took his wife and one daughter back with them.

Culhwch was summoned to court after his father’s new wife learnt of his existence and she told him he should seek a wife, and that wife should be Olwen. When he said he was not of age to seek a wife, she responded: “I swear a destiny upon you that you shall not strike your side against a woman until you get Olwen, daughter of Ysbaddaden Bencawr.”

He is said to then have fallen in love with Olwen, despite the fact he had not met her. When he spoke with his father, he was told to ‘Go to Arthur, for the cutting of your hair, and ask him that as a boon to you.’

He travelled to Cornwall to King Arthur’s court and was allowed entry and the cutting of his hair. Arthur is said to have asked him who he was as he believed he was one of his own and on finding out that he indeed was a cousin, said he could have whatever he wanted.

Culhwch asked him to get him Olwen and so Arthur sent a number of his men out to find the woman and they searched for more than a year but could find nothing of her.

Culhwch was unhappy with this and Cai, one of Arthur’s trusted men, said he would search with him saying: “Until you admit she does not exist anywhere in the world, or we actually find her, we will not part from you.”

Arthur called upon another man, Bedwyr, and Cynddelig Gyfarwydd, Gwyrhyr Gwalstawd Ieithoedd, Gwalchmai and Menw to assist in the search.

The men travelled and found a plain and a large caer which as they travelled towards, seemed to be no closer to them. They saw a shepherd and asked him who owned the sheep he was herding and the caer, to which he replied “Throught the world it is knownthat it is Ysbaddaden Bencawr who owns that caer.”

The men told him they were messengers of Arthur and were there to ask for Olwen and the shepherd said that none who had gone and done that had returned with their life.

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Culhwch had given the shepherd a ring, which he gave to his wife – the aunt of Culhwch – and explained he was asking for the hand of Olwen, which left her conflicted as she was happy to see her nephew but knew that no one had been successful in the endeavour.

They all met and ate together. The woman told the group that Olwen would go there every Saturday to wash her hair and after promising her that they meant no harm, she sent for Olwen. When Olwen arrived, she sat between Culhwch and the high-seat.

Culhwch asked if she would come with him and she told him she could not because of the promise that had been made but said that he should go and ask her father for her and to say he will get whatever her father asks for and then she will be his, but if he argues with him, he will die.

So they did, and Ysbaddaden told them to come back tomorrow for an answer and as they turned to leave, he reached for a poison spear and hurled it at the group. Bedwyr caught it and hurled it back. Hitting his kneecap.

They returned to the hall the next morning and asked for Olwen again and that if they didn’t get her, he would pay with his life. He said he had to consult with her great grandmothers and great grandfathers.

As they rose to leave, he tried to hurl a second spear at them, which was caught by Menw who hurled it back, piercing Ysbaddaden through the chest. They returned the following day and again he threw a spear at them, which was caught by Culhwch who threw it back and pierced Ysbaddaden in the eye.

The fourth time they returned, Ysbaddaden addressed Culhwch directly and gave him a number of tasks to carry out, each of which he accepted to do.

One of the tasks was hunting Twrch Trwyth – and Irish king who was turned into a wild boar by God for his wickedness - and this is where the Amman Valley comes into the story. Culhwch told Ysbaddaden that he would get all he needed and Arthur would help and that he would get Olwen.

They immediately began their quest and Arthur joined the mission along with more men. When it came to hunting Twrch Trwyth, they began in Ireland and fought many men before heading to Wales. Twrch Trwyth landed at Porth Clais in Dyfed and veered over the Preseli Hills with Arthur and his men hunting it.

It was a bloody time, with many men dying. Some of the Twrch Trwyth’s pigs were killed and he fled to Dyffryn Amanw, which is believed to be the Amman Valley. When he fled the Amman Valley, he only had two of his seven pigs left, Grugyn Gwallt Eraint and Llwydog Gofynniad.

The two pigs would be killed by the time they reached the River Severn and Twrch Trwyth was overpowered and the shears and razor between his ears were seized. He fled to Cornwall where he was overpowered again and the comb was taken. He was driven into the sea and never seen again.

Culhwch was successful in his tasks and was given permission to marry Olwen, who he remained true to for the rest of their days.

The story – although a fleeting part of it takes place in the valley – is known by some but not all. It is celebrated however, with a metal sculpture of Twrch Trwyth and two of his pigs on the border of Ammanford and Penybanc and Amman Valley School has the head of the Twrch Trwyth as the school logo.

There is also a Twrch Trwyth Festival held in Ammanford.