The killing of Orddu

The killing of Orddu is an episode in Arthur’s pursuit of the marvels still needed for Culhwch’s quest. When Arthur learns that the blood of Orddu, daughter of the witch Orwen, remains to be obtained, the search turns to her cave at Penn Nant Govid, on the confines of Hell. The encounter tests the limits of delegated force: after four attendants fail to overcome the witch, Arthur enters the action himself and secures the required blood.

The Remaining Marvel

After the boar hunt and the recovery of the comb, Arthur asks whether any marvels remain unobtained. One of his men names the blood of Orddu as still required and identifies her as Orwen’s daughter, living in a cave at Penn Nant Govid. Arthur sets out north. The episode thus begins not as an accidental encounter but as a deliberate continuation of the quest: the witch and her blood are specified as the next outstanding objective.

The Failed Attempts

Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythyr son of Greidawl advise Arthur to send Kacmwri and his brother Hygwyd into the cave. Orddu seizes Hygwyd, and Kacmwri pulls her away from him; she then drives both men out. The two have not secured the objective, and the first attempt leaves them nearly overcome.

Arthur is angered to see his attendants almost slain and prepares to enter the cave. Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwythyr son of Greidawl counsel that it would be unseemly for the king to struggle with the witch, and propose sending Hiramreu and Hireidil instead. Their attempt fares worse: neither can move from the spot until all four attendants are placed upon Arthur’s mare, Llamrei. The successive failures make the cave a threshold that ordinary force cannot readily cross, while also bringing Arthur himself to its entrance.

Arthur’s Intervention

Arthur rushes to the cave door and strikes Orddu with his dagger, Carnwennan. The account says that the blow divides her in two; it does not describe the fight at greater length. Kaw of North Britain takes and keeps her blood, completing the specific collection required by the quest. The intervention resolves the encounter where the efforts of the four attendants have failed.

Consequence Within the Quest

The narrative immediately returns to Culhwch and the gathered marvels: Culhwch sets out with Goreu, son of Custennin, and others hostile to Yspaddaden Penkawr to bring the marvels to Yspaddaden’s court. The episode therefore functions as one completed task within a larger sequence, rather than as an independent campaign. Its outcome is practical and concrete: Orddu is dead, and Kaw preserves the blood that Arthur’s company sought.