Bloody Head on the Salver

The Bloody Head on the Salver is a carried object that turns a baffling appearance into evidence of a family crime. First associated with a mysterious visitor at Arthur’s court, it is later identified as the head of Peredur’s cousin, killed by the sorceresses of Gloucester. That recognition helps direct Peredur and his allies toward vengeance.

Appearance and First Significance

The head appears in the account of a yellow-haired youth, who tells Peredur that he had previously come to Arthur’s court in the form of a black maiden. The youth connects the salver and its burden with other episodes from Peredur’s adventures, including the chessboard’s overthrow, the slaying of the black man of Ysbidinongyl, and the killing of the stag. He also recalls Peredur’s challenge to the black man beneath the cromlech. The object is therefore part of a chain of incidents the youth presents as related, rather than an unexplained sight standing alone.

Identification and Family Wrong

The youth identifies the head as belonging to Peredur’s cousin and names the sorceresses of Gloucester as the killers. In the same disclosure, he says that the sorceresses also lamed Peredur’s uncle, and identifies himself as Peredur’s cousin. The head thus gives a concrete focus to two injuries within Peredur’s family: the cousin’s death and the uncle’s laming. The account does not clarify whether the cousin whose head is on the salver and the youth who speaks are the same person, so their identities remain distinct in the disclosure.

From Sign to Vengeance

The head is presented alongside the Bleeding Spear, and the youth says that a prediction requires Peredur to avenge the wrongs. After taking counsel, Peredur and Gwalchmai send for Arthur and his household to oppose the sorceresses. Peredur initially orders a sorceress to stop when she kills one of Arthur’s men, and repeats the warning after another death; after a third, he strikes her helmet. She recognizes him as the man who learned chivalry among the sorceresses and declares that he is the one destined to kill them. Arthur’s company then kills the sorceresses of Gloucester. The salver’s revelation consequently leads from a mysterious object to the identification of the family’s enemies and the conflict that ends their power.