The Hallows of Britain

The "Four Hallows" might have come from a list of 13 Hallows or Treasures of Britain. How might these items creep into HP?

The following quotes are all from http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/13.html. My comments are in other text colors.

"Dyrnwyn, gleddyf Rhydderch Hael: White-Hilt, the Sword of Rhydderch the Generous: if a well-born man drew it himself, it burst into flame from its hilt to its tip. And everyone who used to ask for it would receive; but because of this peculiarity everyone used to reject it. And therefore he was called Rhydderch the Generous." Godric Gryffindor's sword doesn't have a white hilt. We don't know just how "well-born" Harry is, but we tend to assume he is well-born anyway. Though it doesn't seem to burst into flames, Fawkes sure does. Harry was hoping desperately for help when he received the sword. The sword is helpful, can be said to be "generous"... at least to the loyal.

"Mwys Gwyddno Garanir: The Hamper of Gwyddno Long-Shank: food for one man would be put in it, and when it was opened, food for a hundred men would be found in it." I'm not sure if this shows up in HP, yet. (It sure would make food prep at Hogwarts easier for the House Elves, not that it's particularly difficult for them.)

"Korn Bran Galed o'r Gogledd : The Horn of Bran the Niggard from the North: whatever drink might be wished for was found in it." The Hufflepuff cup might be an HP version of the horn.

"Kar Morgan Mwynfawr: The Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy: if a man went in it, he might wish to be wherever he would, and he would be there quickly." The HP wizarding world has vanishing cabinets, flying chariots, ships that appear out of whirlpools, thestrals, the Floo Network, portkeys, and apparation, among other quick, magical modes of transport not yet mentioned.

"Kebystr Klydno Eiddin: The Halter of Clydno Eiddyn, which was fixed to a staple at the foot of his bed: whatever horse he might wish for, he would find in the halter." I haven't found any version of this halter in HP, though Harry has little trouble finding horsey things to help him (centaur, thestral, hippogriff, etc.). Cars and motorcycles, flying or otherwise, are discussed in terms of how much horsepower they have in their engines. Even the horse-faced Petunia might help Harry by providing him with more information.

"Kyllell Llawfrodedd Farchog: The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman, which would serve for twenty-four men to eat at table." I bet the Weasley's wish they had such a knife....

"Pair Dyrnwch Gawr: The Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant: if meat for a coward were put in it to boil, it would never boil; but if meat for a brave man were put in it, it would boil quickly (and thus the brave could be distinguished from the cowardly)." This would be a cool way for Snape to prove he's no coward! Except I imagine he'd make a potion, not just try to cook some meat....

"Hogalen Tudwal Tutklyd: The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd: if a brave man sharpened his sword on it, if it (then) drew blood from a man he would die. If a cowardly man (sharpened his sword on it), he (his opponent) would be no worse." Another interesting way to separate the brave from the cowardly. However, the only time we see anything close to a whetstone is when Macnair sharpens the ax for beheading Buckbeak. Of course, Buckbeak didn't lose his head, but he was gone, so Macnair never had the chance to try....

"Pais Badarn Beisrydd: The Coat of Padarn Red-Coat: if a well-born man put it on, it would be the right size for him; if a churl, it would not go upon him." Don't know about this item, but I imagine if someone "well-born" had it they'd never need Madam Malkin to make them a coat. This could be related to the Invisibilty Cloak, since Harry is at least somewhat "well-born", but in the Potterverse being well-born might have another meaning....

"Gren a desgyl Rhygenydd Ysgolhaig: The Crock and the Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric: whatever food might be wished for in them, it would be found." Reminds me of when Hogarts students, staff, and guests choose what they want from a menu... and the chosen food appears on the platters.

"Gwyddbwyll Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio: The Chessboard of Gwenddolau son of Ceidio: if the pieces were set, they would play by themselves. The board was of gold , and the men of silver." Wizard Chess, anyone?

"Llen Arthyr yng Nghernyw: The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall: whoever was under it could not be seen, and he could see everyone." A perfect precursor of the Invisibilty Cloak.

"These belong to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; the earliest manuscript contains only the names of the Treasures without the explanatory comments. The earliest versions refer to the Treasures 'that were in the North' and the majority of names are from Y Cogledd. In a few of the later versions two other Treasures are added (the Mantle of Tegau Eurfon and Eluned's Stone and Ring), dropping one item and counting 'the Crock and the Dish' as one item instead of two." We have no Mantle of Tegau Eurfon (it covers a chaste woman but shows the nakedness of a loose woman) in the HP series, at least not quite. JKR might have decided not to touch this one, since it's a bit risque for a children's novel. Of course, we have a few strange robes and cloaks throughout the series, so its young reader-friendly replacement could be somewhere. Besides, it 's a bit too close to The Coat of Padarn Red-Coat. Eluned's name was changed to Luned and has ties to the moon (la luna). Her ring made the wearer invisible as long as the stone of the ring was turned toward the palm and concealed in a fist. The closest thing we have in HP to this ring with the stone is the Paravelle ring, which we last saw in Dumbledore's office. And where is it now?

Sorry I've been a bit absent from this blog (and even from my Google Group) lately. Work (both in the lab and in the art studio) has made playtime difficult....

I promise the blog isn't dead, though it might sometimes seem that way.

I've been using as much spare time as possible to re-read the 6 books, preparing to post my "predictions" for Deathly Hallows before it's released. Otherwise, what's the point, right?

So, please bear with me.

Meanwhile, I have several topics up in my Google Group, Serious Harry Potter Discussion. I've made some changes to it recently, so feel free to post to my listed topics. I welcome suggestions if you'd like me to add other topics. I plan to add several soon anyway, since there is still LOTS of ground to cover.

I got Google to remove the age restriction from the group. It was a mistake. There is absolutely NO "adult content" in the forum. I just wish to discourage childish behavior there.

Thanks,
"Aby"