Who is the real winner Culhwch or Ysbaddaden

How It Should Have Happened – Just Skip the Hunt and Kill Ysbaddaden

In order for me to get the permission of Ysbaddaden to marry his daughter I need to get a bunch of resources for him Culhwch explains.

Arthur sighs and explains, “You know I love you, but I do not have time to get all those resources for you. I have greater responsibilities than journeying all over to get things for Ysbaddaden.”

Culhwch, frustrated, leaves Arthur and goes back to talk to his father. “What are we to do? I am not going to wed my stepsister!”

His father shrugs, leaving Culhwch even more frustrated. Culhwch storms off and returns to Arthur to attempt to persuade Arthur to help.

“Arthur please,” Culhwch begs, “my stepmother wants me to wed her daughter!”

Arthur laughs. Culhwch, angrily clears his throat and puffs out his chest and states, “I will not settle for anything less than Olwen.”

“Give me some time to think,” Arthur says.

“Why don’t you send your troops over to kill Ysbaddaden? That would take far less time than me searching for all the resources Ysbaddaden has requested. Also, you will be viewed as a feared leader because you can have his land and power,” Culhwch bargains.

Arthur, Culhwch, Merlin and the troop set out on a quest to kill Ysbaddaden and take his daughter. Once they reach the gatekeepers, Arthur says from his horseback, “You will go retrieve Ysbaddaden at once. Tell him that I am here to talk with him and I will not wait.”

 “You will give us Olwen now or we will take her by force” Arthur demands.

 “Fine,” he says, “we will return tomorrow and negotiate again.”

However, when it nightfall came, King Arthur and his men charged the castle, killing several people before ultimately murdering Ysbaddaden. The battle was over when the sun just started to rise. Merlin wandered his new home while Culhwch wandered to find Olwen to consecrate their marriage at once. 

Page 34- “It’s easy for you to do that, son” said his father to him. Arthur is your first cousin