"Pryderi has had the knockers of the gate of my palace about his neck, and Rhiannon has had the collars of the asses, after they have been carrying hay, about her neck."
And such had been their bondage.
And by reason of this bondage is this story called the Mabinogi of Mynnweir and Mynord.
[GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN.][17]
Arthur was accustomed to hold his court at Caerlleon-upon-Usk. And there he held it seven Easters and five Christmases. And once upon a time he held his court there at Whitsuntide. For Caerlleon was the place most easy of access in his dominions, both by sea and by land. And there were assembled nine crowned kings, who were his tributaries, and likewise earls and barons. For they were his invited guests at all the high festivals, unless they were prevented by any great hindrance. And when he was at Caerlleon, holding his court, thirteen churches were set apart for mass. And thus were they appointed: one church for Arthur and his kings and his guests; and the second for Gwenhwyvar and her ladies; and the third for the steward of the household and the suitors; and the fourth for the franks and the other officers: and the other nine churches were for the nine masters of the household, and chiefly for Gwalchmai;[18] for he, from the eminence of his warlike fame, and from the nobleness of his birth, was the most exalted of the nine.
Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr was the chief porter; but he did not himself perform the office, except at one of the three high festivals, for he had seven men to serve him, and they divided the year amongst them. And on Whit-Tuesday, as the king sat at the banquet, lo! there entered a tall, fair-headed youth, clad in a coat and a surcoat of diapered satin, and a golden-hilted sword about his neck, and low shoes of leather upon his feet. And he came and stood before Arthur. "Hail to thee, lord!" said he.
"Heaven prosper thee," he answered, "and be thou welcome. Dost thou bring any new tidings?"'
"I do, lord," he said.
"I know thee not," said Arthur.