Peredur of the Steel Arms
Peredur of the Steel Arms
an artistic rendering of Peredur, King of Ebrauc from roughly 560-580ad.
The depiction of Arthwys did better than I expected, so I thought I would follow similar guidelines and create a depiction of his grandson Peredur, to show the progression between a speculative depiction of ~500 to roughly 580 or so.
Most of the guidelines for the reconstruction were laid out in the previous article, but there are a few extras.
FOREMOST were liquor and malt drink to be brought to him.
FOREMOST was he in taking delight in gold and purple raiment.
FOREMOST was it that the well-fed horses were accustomed to coursing under him directed by his harsh cry. His spirit merited these.
FOREMOST would he raise the piercing cry of victory.
Like a bear, he was always late to retreat.
Above is part of Urfai’s elegy found in Y Gododdin. Peredur wears a purple cloak, a mark of high-status held over from earlier Roman days, as mentioned in Urfai’s elegy. Urfai was probably of Anglian descent despite being listed as a ‘lord of Eidyn (Edinburgh)’ Peredur himself seems to feature in the Poem as well, where he is called ‘Peredur arueu dur’ ‘Peredur of the Steel Arms’ seemingly commemorating potentially unique weapons. He fastens his purple cloak with a 'Quoit Brooch’ commonly found in the period. He also wears a copper alloy torc around his neck, simple copper alloy torcs being more common in the late-6th century.
For his war-gear he wears a darkened maille coat ‘He was a chief to the beats of prey in dark blue armour’ as well as a simpler derivative of the Ridge helmet popular a century earlier. He carries an early Anglian Seax, of the slim long early continental type, taken from a raid or tribute from the Anglian client of Deira. His sword is of typical migration era spatha make, with more simple organic fittings. There is a notable lack of swords in a Brythonic context. This is not evidence that they were not used however, as poetry and art indicate otherwise, but as they were generally buried without grave goods the potential for sword finds is slim, coupled with the likely scarcity and preciousness of high-status metals after the near-apocalyptic events of the mid-6th century1, I believe many swords may have been re-hilted with organic fittings as a practical measure in times of stress.
Peredur was the son of Eliffer2 son of Arthwys who featured in the last article3, and had floruit spanning from roughly 560-580, cut off early in battle at Catraeth, remembered later as Caer Grue in reference to Peredur and his brother Owain’s death’s there.4
Our next recreation will be Arthwys’ great-grandfather Coel Hen, showing a late-Roman warlord in his full glory.
