batch.motif.celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg-l4868-l4965
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg-l4868-l4965
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
passage_locator:
label: C. E. G. / THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN / PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC / GERAINT
THE SON OF ERBIN; lines 4868-4965
start: '4868'
end: '4965'
translation: The Mabinogion
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A bride-winning quest requires obtaining difficult marvels. Arthur's men
enter the castle of Gwrnach the Giant by claiming the craft of sword-burnishing;
Kai polishes Gwrnach's sword, tricks him into giving up the scabbard, beheads
him, and brings the sword to Arthur. Arthur then directs the company to seek Mabon
son of Modron, which first requires finding Eidoel son of Aer, imprisoned in Glivi's
castle; Glivi agrees to release the prisoner and give aid.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A speaker states that the seeker must obtain further difficult things before
obtaining the speaker's daughter.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The travelers see a vast castle identified as the castle of Gwrnach the Giant.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: A black man larger than three ordinary men comes out from the castle and says
no guest returns alive and only a craftsman with his craft may enter.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: At the gate, the porter refuses entry except to a craftsman bringing his craft.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: Kai claims to be the best burnisher of swords in the world.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: Gwrnach admits Kai because he needs someone to polish his sword.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: Kai uses a blue whetstone and polishes part of Gwrnach's sword.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: Kai arranges for Bedwyr to enter by describing a sign involving the head of
Bedwyr's lance drawing blood from the wind and returning to its shaft.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:9
text: The son of Custennin enters with the companions, passes three wards, and is
thereafter called Goreu son of Custennin.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:10
text: Kai obtains both sword and scabbard from Gwrnach and cuts off the Giant's
head with one blow.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:11
text: The company despoils the castle and returns to Arthur's court with the sword
of Gwrnach the Giant.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:12
text: Arthur and the warriors decide to seek Mabon son of Modron and first seek
Eidoel son of Aer, his kinsman.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:13
text: Eidoel is imprisoned at the Castle of Glivi, and Glivi agrees to give Arthur
the prisoner along with support and aid.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: unnamed father of the daughter
description: A speaker who sets further difficult conditions before the seeker can
obtain his daughter.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: unnamed seeker
description: The addressee who is told he must obtain marvels before obtaining the
daughter; he says Arthur will help him.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Arthur
description: Lord and kinsman invoked as helper; later receives the returning company
and leads the search for Eidoel.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Gwrnach the Giant
description: Owner of the vast castle and sword; he admits Kai for sword-burnishing
and is beheaded by Kai.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: black man from Gwrnach's castle
description: A huge black man who informs the travelers that no guest returns alive
and only a craftsman may enter.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: porter of Gwrnach's castle
description: Gatekeeper who refuses entry except to a craftsman and reports Kai's
claimed craft to Gwrnach.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd
description: A member of the company who calls for the porter at the gate.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Kai
description: Arthurian companion who claims the craft of sword-burnishing, gains
entry, polishes Gwrnach's sword, and beheads Gwrnach.
role_refs:
- role:9
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Bedwyr
description: Kai's companion admitted after Kai describes a sign by which the porter
may know him.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Goreu son of Custennin
description: The only son of Custennin the herdsman; he gets into the castle with
the companions and receives the name Goreu.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Mabon son of Modron
description: A figure whom Arthur's company decides to seek after obtaining Gwrnach's
sword.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Modron
description: Named as Mabon's parent.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Eidoel son of Aer
description: Mabon's kinsman, imprisoned in the Castle of Glivi, whom Arthur seeks
first.
role_refs:
- role:15
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: fig:14
name_or_label: Aer
description: Named as Eidoel's parent.
role_refs:
- role:14
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: fig:15
name_or_label: Glivi
description: Holder of the castle where Eidoel is imprisoned; he agrees to release
the prisoner to Arthur.
role_refs:
- role:16
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
roles:
- id: role:1
label: condition-setter
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He states the difficult conditions for obtaining his daughter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: bride-seeker
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He says he will gain the daughter with Arthur's help.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: helper kinsman
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The seeker says Arthur will obtain the required things for him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: quest leader
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Arthur rises with the warriors of Britain to seek Eidoel.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:5
label: giant castle-lord
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The passage identifies the castle as Gwrnach the Giant's and shows him ruling
within it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: warning informant
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: He tells the travelers the danger and entry rule of the castle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: gatekeeper
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: He controls the gate and relays the visitors' request to Gwrnach.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: gate-caller
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: He asks whether there is a porter.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:9
label: craft-disguised infiltrator
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Kai gains entry by claiming the craft of sword-burnishing.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:10
label: giant-slayer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: Kai beheads Gwrnach with the sword.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:11
label: admitted companion
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: Bedwyr enters after Kai gives a sign for recognizing him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:12
label: successful infiltrating companion
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: He gets into the castle, brings companions past three wards, and is praised
as best of men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:13
label: sought figure
assigned_to:
- fig:11
basis: Arthur's company decides it is best to seek Mabon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:14
label: named parent
assigned_to:
- fig:12
- fig:14
basis: Modron and Aer are named in patronymic relationships.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:15
label: imprisoned intermediary
assigned_to:
- fig:13
basis: Eidoel is Mabon's kinsman and must be found first; he is imprisoned in Glivi's
castle.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: role:16
label: captor who yields prisoner
assigned_to:
- fig:15
basis: Glivi possesses the prisoner and agrees to give him to Arthur.
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: Gwrnach's sword
literal_form: sword
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
- id: sym:2
label: Gwrnach's castle
literal_form: vast castle
associated_figures:
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: closed gate of Gwrnach's castle
literal_form: gate
associated_figures:
- fig:6
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: Kai's blue whetstone
literal_form: blue whetstone
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: Gwrnach's scabbard
literal_form: scabbard
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: sym:6
label: three wards
literal_form: three wards of the castle
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: sym:7
label: Castle of Glivi
literal_form: castle or fortress where Eidoel is imprisoned
associated_figures:
- fig:13
- fig:15
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Bride-winning task announced
summary: The seeker is told that difficult further things must be obtained before
he can have the daughter, and he replies that Arthur will help him.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Approach to Gwrnach's dangerous castle
summary: The company reaches Gwrnach's vast castle and learns that guests do not
return alive and that only a craftsman may enter.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Entry by claimed craft
summary: At the closed gate, Kai claims to be a master sword-burnisher; the porter
reports this to Gwrnach, who admits Kai.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Polishing and admission of companions
summary: Kai polishes Gwrnach's sword, gains favor, and arranges Bedwyr's entry;
Goreu also leads companions through the wards into the castle.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:4
- fig:9
- fig:10
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:4
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Beheading of Gwrnach and taking the sword
summary: Kai obtains the sword and scabbard under pretense of repair, beheads Gwrnach,
and the company returns to Arthur's court with Gwrnach's sword.
figure_refs:
- fig:8
- fig:4
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: scene:6
label: Search for Eidoel before Mabon
summary: Arthur's company decides to seek Mabon, but first seeks Mabon's kinsman
Eidoel, who is imprisoned at Glivi's castle; Glivi agrees to release him and provide
aid.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:11
- fig:13
- fig:15
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: bride won by impossible or difficult tasks
taxonomy_refs:
- sacred_marriage
- mystical_quest
basis: The daughter is promised only after the seeker completes difficult marvels,
and Arthur's company pursues the required objects and persons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage frames marriage as a reward for tasks, but the broader status
of the daughter and the full task list are outside this excerpt.
- id: motif:2
label: entry into a perilous stronghold by claimed craft
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: The castle bars guests except craftsmen; Kai claims a craft, gains entry,
brings in companions, and uses the situation to kill Gwrnach.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The passage presents deception and boundary-crossing, but does not explicitly
name Kai as a trickster.
- id: motif:3
label: giant-slaying to obtain a quest object
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Kai kills Gwrnach the Giant and the company carries Gwrnach's sword back
to Arthur's court as one of the required marvels.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: high
cautions: The object is clearly taken, but its larger function in the full quest
is only partly visible in this excerpt.
- id: motif:4
label: imprisoned kinsman as intermediary in a search
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Arthur's company must find Eidoel, Mabon's kinsman, before Mabon can be found;
Eidoel is held prisoner by Glivi.
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- ev:10
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage states the necessity of finding Eidoel but does not yet show
how he leads to Mabon.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 4868-4878
quote_or_summary: A condition-setter says further difficult things must be obtained
before the seeker may have his daughter; the seeker says Arthur will obtain them,
and the speaker says the daughter will be his wife after the marvels are accomplished.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 4880-4894
quote_or_summary: The travelers see a vast castle; a huge black man says it is Gwrnach
the Giant's castle, that no guest ever returns alive, and that entry requires
bringing a craft.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 4895-4907
quote_or_summary: At the gate, the porter says the hall is feasting and the gate
will not open except for a craftsman; Kai says he brings the craft of sword-burnishing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 4908-4918
quote_or_summary: The porter reports the sword-burnisher to Gwrnach, who says he
has long sought someone to polish his sword and orders that the man be admitted.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 4919-4930
quote_or_summary: Kai tells Gwrnach he can burnish swords, takes a blue whetstone,
polishes half the blade, and pleases Gwrnach.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 4930-4938
quote_or_summary: 'Kai says he has a companion and describes how the porter may
know him: the head of his lance will leave its shaft, draw blood from the wind,
and descend again; Bedwyr enters.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 4939-4948
quote_or_summary: The son of Custennin gets into the castle with companions, keeps
them close while passing three wards, is praised, and is thereafter called Goreu
son of Custennin.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 4949-4960
quote_or_summary: After polishing the sword, Kai asks for the scabbard to repair
it, stands as if to sheathe the sword, cuts off Gwrnach's head, despoils the castle,
and returns to Arthur's court with Gwrnach's sword.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 4961-4965
quote_or_summary: Arthur asks which marvel to seek first; the company says to seek
Mabon son of Modron, who cannot be found unless they first find his kinsman Eidoel
son of Aer; Arthur and the warriors go to the Castle of Glivi, where Eidoel is
imprisoned.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: '4965'
quote_or_summary: Glivi stands on the summit of his castle, asks Arthur not to harm
him, and agrees to give Arthur his prisoner with support and aid.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal sequence and named figures are clear in the supplied passage. Motif
labels are candidate classifications based on the excerpt and available taxonomy;
no explicit cross-tradition comparison is made in the passage.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
No comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not support a specific comparison beyond candidate motif-family classification.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg__l4868-l4965
passage_sha256=c0b44bd3801858a9f07750b85506985e8d79f7a8b1caf82857a4ea6bd937c1bf