NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Gwadyn Odyeith

‘Sole Blaze’
Gawdyn Odyeith, Gwadyn Oddeith, Gwadyn Odeith

An Arthurian warrior and a seldom mentioned companion of Culhwch in his quest to locate Olwen.

Gwadyn Odyeith’s particular skill was to be able to strike as many sparks from the soles of his feet as would fly from a hammer striking white hot metal. His was thus given the task of clearing away unwanted vegetation when Arthur was on the march.

Bromwich identifies Gwadyn Odeith with goddaith or “bonfire.” Gwadyn Odyeith, like Gwadyn Ossol and several others, appears to have been dropped from later traditions, which altered the story to give it an Arthurian content. Gawdyn Odyeith, Gwadyn Ossol and Sol are brothers.


Notes
Gwadyn means sole.


Source
Culhwch and Olwen | Late 11th century