[108f] A reference to the armour of the soldiers.
[109a] Or “who were Brython.” The Brython were the third “social tribe of the Isle of Britain,” who “came from the land of Llydaw, and were descended from the primitive tribe of the Cymry,” (Triad 5, third series.) Being the third principal tribe that settled in Britain, it is probable that their original inheritance was Alban, one of the “three principal provinces of the Isle of Britain,” (See Triad 2) which they must have occupied prior to the time of Prydain the son of Aedd Mawr. Dunbarton is Dun Bretton, i.e. Dinas y Brython.
[109b] Cynon was the son of Clydno Eiddin, and one of the three counselling warriors of Arthur.
“Tri chyngoriad varchawg llys Arthur; Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin, Arawn ab Cynvarch, a Llywarch Hen ab Elidyr Lydanwyn.” (Triad 86, first series.)
He was also one of the “three ardent lovers,” on account of his passion for Morvydd, daughter of Urien Rheged.
“Tri serchawg Ynys Prydain; Caswallawn mab Beli am Flur merch Fugnach Gorr, a Thrystan mab Tallwch am Essyllt gwreig March Meirchiawn ei ewythr, a Chynon ab Clydno Eiddun am Forwydd verch Urien.” (Tr. 53.)
Cynon ab Clydno Eiddin was educated at the college of Llancarvan, and is said to have answered one of the seven questions proposed by Cattwg Ddoeth, the President, as follows,—
“Pa gamp decav ar ddyn?
Atteb. Cyweirdeb.” (Cynan ab Clydno Eiddin ai dywawd.)What is man’s fairest quality?
Answer. Sincerity.
His grave is recorded in the Englynion y Beddau. (Myv. Arch. vol i. p. 79.)
[109c] We adopt this as a proper name, because it makes up the number three. A person of that name is mentioned in the following stanza;—