GERAINT THE SON OF ERBIN



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 Cwalchmai; for he,
from the eminence of his warlike fame, and from the nobleness of his
birth, was the most exalted of the nine. And there was no other
arrangement respecting the churches than that which we have mentioned
above.

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.
They were Grynn, and Pen Pighon, and Llaes Cymyn, and Gogyfwlch, and
Gwrdnei with cat's eyes, who could see as well by night as by day,