Rhonaby's Dream

Rhonabwy's Dream

Rhonabwy's Dream is an interesting but very confusing Welsh short story.  It is found in a single manuscript in the Red Book of Hergest and has been dated to the late 12th to early 13th century.  The story tells of a retainer for Madog, the Prince of Powys, by the name of Rhonabwy.  (note: Madog, Prince of Powys was a real historical person).  In the tale, Madoc sends Rhonaby as part of several contingents to try to find Madog's troublesome brother who is creating havoc in the land.  Rhonabwy, while on his travels, has to stay the night in a filthy home with his companions.  Upon falling asleep on a yellow ox hide, the only clean place in the house, Rhonabwy has a dream.  In this dream Rhonabwy is transported back to the time of King Arthur where he is introduced to a cast of characters.  The principal story however seems to focus around a game of gwyddbwyll (a chess like game) played between King Arthur and Owain (Yvain).  One of the interesting points of the story is that the battle going on outside does not seen to distract Arthur of Owain from their game.  When presented with an emergency Arthur only responds "your move."   Eventually peace is declared after Arthur crushes his piece and Rhonabwy wakes when Arthur's troops march off.

There are two things that I feel make this short story confusing and disjointed, at least to a modern audience.  The first is that the dream sequence feels that it is set within a larger story that was not finished.  This may just be a stylistic choice by the author but there is a lot of detail to everything that happens prior to the dream only to be purely a set-up for for the dream episode.  There is a whole long paragraph describing the filth and fleas they had to sleep in and the rudeness of the hosts only to never be mentioned again.  Secondly, there is clearly some sort of symbolism or political commentary at play.  Arthur tells Rhonabwy that he is ashamed that Wales has been inherited by such little men.  Rhonabwy is also introduced to a cast of wise men and even a traitor (of sorts).  Then King Arthur has his very unusual "chess game" episode with Owain.  Owain mab Urien is one of King Arthur's knights. "Owain" also just happens to be the name the man who defeated historical Madog (mentioned above) in battle and who also took control of Madog's lands.  What this would symbolize, I have no idea; possibly a plea for peace or wisdom.  I'll leave it to the better informed to determine such things, assuming it hasn't been done already.  But my point is that the story seems to be trying to make a point to someone, who the intended audience is and what the point is they are trying to make is unclear.  

The Dream of Rhonabwy was originally translated by Lady Charlotte Guest and included with her collection that collectively became known as the Mabinogion although it has since been determined that it was unrelated to the 4 tales of the Mabinogi.  However incorrect, that association still remains.  As such, it often gets included with the Mabinogion tales, and is sometimes studied due to its use of King Arthur as a character.  This story alone is not particularly impactful to the development of the Arthurian legend but it does show (as one of many examples) that King Arthur is still being viewed by the Welsh as an example of an important leader even if used in a satirical way.  It is also and unusual example of Welsh literature of the time as it does not seem to be intended as an oral tale.  A colophon at the end of the original manuscript indicates that it was not loved by bards because they could not memorize all of the details written within.  Scholars think this is actually an indication that it may have always existed in written form.

I don't think there is any real take-away from this work for my readers.  I just wanted to include it as strange diversion from the other material we have been workin on.

Thanks and I will post soon about Chretien de Troyes.  I hope you are all enjoying your reading!

Joe