ndred_ was the number which composed
the retinue of Mynyddawg, and that a _hundred thousand_, a large round
figure, is chosen to denote the preponderance of the enemy's forces that
were arrayed in opposition. This view seems more in unison with reason,
as well as with the grammatical construction of the passage, ("emdaflawr"
being a middle verb) than the supposition that the "milcant a thrychant"
formed the total of the army of the Cymry.

{96a} Or, "They served as butts for the falling lances."

{96b} "Gorsaf;" "Gorsav arv," _a magazine of arms_. "Brwydr orsavawl,"
a pitched battle.

{96c} "Mynyddawg Mwynvawr." The Triads call him "Mynyddawg Eiddin,"
_Edin_, hence _Edinburgh_, which probably corresponds with his original
place of residence, or at any rate may be considered as being situate
within the limits of his ancient dominions. "The retinue of Mynyddawg
Eiddin at Cattraeth" is represented as one of "the three honourable
retinues of the Isle of Britain," because the men who composed it had
joined their chieftain's standard of their own accord, and marched at
their own expense, claiming neither pay nor reward for their service,
from king or country.

"Tair gosgordd addwyn Ynys Prydain; Gosgordd Belyn vab Cynvelyn yng
nghadvel Caradawg ab Bran; a gosgordd Mynyddawg Eiddin yng
Nghattraeth; a Gosgordd Drywon ab Nudd Hael yn Rhodwydd Arderydd yn y
Gogledd; sev ydd elai bawb yn y rhai hynny ar eu traul eu hunain heb
aros govyn, ac heb erchi na thal nag anrheg y gan wlad na chan Deyrn;
ac achaws hynny au gelwid hwy y tair gosgordd addwyn." (Triad 79,
third series.)

{96d} "Hanyanawr," their natural relatives; "hangenawr," those who stood
in need of them, their families and friends. The line may likewise be
rendered,--

"Esteemed for their age and disposition."

{96e} Al. "llawen," _merry_; "the merry minstrel."

{97a} These plumes must accordingly have been themselves red. That
military men at this period did wear feathers of particular colours as
distinctive badges, is further evident from the testimony of Llywarch
Hen, who describes himself as having worn "yellow plumes."

"Gwedy meirch hywedd, a chochwedd ddillad,
A phluawr melyn,
Main vy nghoes, nid oes ym dremyn!" (Elegy on Cynddylan.)

After the sleek tractable steeds, and garments of ruddy hue,
And the waving yellow plumes,
Slender is my leg, my piercing look is gone."

In some cop