NIGHTBRINGER | The Arthurian Encyclopedia

Three Powerful Swineherds of the Island of Britain


Drystan, son of Tallwch, who guarded the swine of March, son of Meirchiawn, while the swineherd went to ask Essyllt to come to a meeting with him. And Arthur was seeking one pig from among them, either by deceit or by force, but he did not get it; and Pryderi, son of Pwyll, Lord of Annwn, who guarded the swine of Pendaran Dyfed in Glyn Cuch in Emlyn; and Coll, son of Collfrewy, who guarded Henwen, the sow of Dallwyr Dallben, when about to bring forth her litter, went to Penrhyn Awstin in Cornwall, and from there she went into the sea. And at Aber Tarogi in Gwent Is Coed she came to land.

And Coll son of Collfrewy with his hand on her bristles wherever she went, whether by sea or by land. And in Gwent she brought forth a grain of wheat and a bee; and therefore that place is the best for wheat and bees. And from there she went to Llonion in Pembroke, and there she brought forth a grain of barley and a bee. From thence she made for the Hill of Cyferthwch in Eryri; there she brought forth a wolf-cub and a young eagle. And Coll son of Collfrewy gave the eagle to Brennach the Irishman of the North, and the wolf he gave to Menwaedd son of Arllechwedd; and these were the Wolf of Menwaedd and the Eagle of Brennach.

And from thence she went to the Black Stone in Llanfair in Arfon, and there she brought forth a kitten; and Coll son of Collfrewy threw that kitten into Menai. And she was afterwards Palug’s Cat.