These stories were told in old days to British boys and girls as they
sat round the fireside and heard the wind outside skirling among the
wild Welsh hills. But, no doubt, in time they crossed the border,
and were told also to English children, such as most of you, who knew
and loved the charming tales of Arthur and his knights.
In the days of King Arthur there lived a noble young prince named
Kilhugh, to whom it had been foretold that he should never marry
until he could win for his wife the maiden Olwen, daughter of
Thornogre Thistlehair, the Chief of the Giants. But, though he was
full of love towards the very name of the unknown maid, he could not
find out where she lived, nor could anyone tell him anything about
her.
He was not cast down, however, but set off upon his steed of dappled
grey to seek help from his kinsman Arthur. A fine sight he was,
indeed, as he rode along on his prancing horse. His bridle was made
of golden chains, his saddle-cloth of fine purple, from the corners
of which hung four golden apples of great value.
His slung war horn was of ivory, his sword of gold, inlaid with a
cross that shone like the lightning of heaven; his stirrups also were
of pure gold. Two spears with silver shafts were in his hand, and
two beautiful greyhounds, wearing collars set with rubies, sprang
before him "like two sea-swallows sporting." So lightly did his
charger step that the blades of grass did not bend beneath his tread.
At length he came to Arthur's castle, and having with much difficulty
satisfied the Chief of the Porters of the Gate, a sturdy warrior
known as the Dusky Hero with the Mighty Grasp, he made his way into
Arthur's presence, and told the King his story.
"This one boon I crave of thee, O King," he ended, "that thou wilt
obtain for me Olwen, the daughter of Thornogre Thistlehair, Chief of
the Giants, to be my bride. I ask it of thee and of all thy valiant
knights, for the sake of all the fair ladies who have ever lived in
this land."
Then Arthur said: "My Prince, I have never heard of this maiden, nor
of her kindred, but messengers shall at once set forth to seek her if
thou wilt give them time."
So it was agreed that, this being New Year's Day, they should be
given until the last day of the year for their quest.
The messengers of Arthur set forth in haste, each taking a different
way. They travelled throughout all the land of Britain, the "Island
of the Mighty," and then to foreign lands, asking as they went: "Dost
thou know aught of Olwen, the daughter of Thornogre Thistlehair,
Chief of the Giants?"