Cynon ap Clydno

Cynon ap Clydno or in some translations Kynon or Cynan was an Arthurian hero from Welsh mythology. His quest to the Castle of Maidens and his subsequent trial against the Black Knight, serve as a prelude to the adventure of Owain and The Lady of the Fountain. Cynon is closely associated with Sir Calogrenant, who takes his role in other versions of the tale.

Cynon was the son of Clydno Eiddin, ruler of Hen Ogledd, a Welsh term for the area now recognised as the north of England and south of Scotland. Both Clydno and Cynon were figures in Welsh tradition. The poem Y Gododdin names Cynon as one of the Britons who fought against the Angles at the disastrous Battle of Catraeth; and is named as one of the four survivors, along with the author of the poem, Aneirin. Aneirin mentions Cynon earlier in his poetry, referring to him:

And Kynon – like rushes they fell before his hand.

Three warriors and three score and three
     hundred, wearing the golden torques.—
Of those who marched forth after the
     excess of revelling,
But three escaped from the conflict of
     gashing weapons;
The two War-dogs of Aeron and Kynon the
     dauntless,
(and I myself from the spilling of blood)
     worthy are they of my song.'

Later works mention Cynon's great love for Morvydd (Morvyth), daughter of Urien Rheged, and he appears in the prose tale Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain, taking the role given to Calogrenant in other versions of the story. Cynon's passion for Morvydd sees him named as one of the Three Ardent Lovers of the Island of Britain, along with Caswallawn the son of Beli for Flur the daughter of Mugnach Gorr, and Trystan the son of Talluch for Yseult the wife of his uncle, March Meirchawn. Cynon, in some recounts, is said to be married to Morvydd, who is also the twin sister of Owain.

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