Tylwyth Teg Suite - Brass Band

COMPOSER : Alex McGee

Tylwyth Teg - The most usual Welsh name for fairies.

They are often known by the euphemism bendith y mamau to avert kidnapping,

especially in Glamorgan. Although most stories about y tylwyth teg are recorded

from oral tradition, references to them appear in writing as early as

Giraldus Cambrensis (c.1146–1223).

They are described as fair-haired and as loving golden hair,

and thus they covet mortal children with blond or fair hair.

Their usual king is Gwyn ap Nudd. In general y tylwyth teg

are portrayed as benevolent but still capable of occasional mischief.

Some of their later stories even profess improved behaviour and

good morals, such as promising rewards of silver to young women

who keep tidy houses.

In distinction from other Celtic fairies, they are more often associated

with lakes, especially at Llyn y Fan Fach in south Wales.

Another distinction is their fear of iron; unbaptized children should

be guarded from y tylwyth teg by having a poker placed over the cradle.

But like other fairies they are thought to possess magical cattle,

the most famous of which is the Speckled Cow of Hiraethog.

In one of the most commonly told stories of y tylwyth teg,

a mortal young man seeks to marry a beautiful young daughter

of the fairy host. She agrees, but only on the condition that

he does not touch her with iron nor strike her

with three unnecessary blows.

Gwlad y Tylwyth Teg is a Welsh name for fairyland.

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