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Geraint (/ˈɡɛraɪnt/GHERR-eyent) is a character fromWelsh folklore andArthurian legend, a valiant warrior possibly related to the historicalGeraint, an early 8th-century king ofDumnonia. It is also the name of a 6th-century Dumnonian saint king from Briton hagiographies, who may have lived during or shortly prior to the reign of thehistorical Arthur. The name Geraint is a Welsh form of the LatinGerontius, meaning "old man".
A "Geraint of the South" appears at theBattle of Catraeth (circa 600) in the poemY Gododdin, attributed toAneirin. This is conceivably a reference to Geraint mab Erbin, son of the 5th-century kingErbin of Dumnonia. Geraint is also mentioned as one of the "Three Seafarers of the Isle of Britain" in theWelsh Triads.
Geraint's deeds at the Battle of Llongborth are celebrated in the poem "Geraint son of Erbin", which was written probably in the 10th or 11th century[1] and traditionally attributed toLlywarch Hen. However, Derek Bryce, following other scholars, suggests that the later, historicalGeraint of Dumnonia (d. 710) may be identified as the real warrior eulogised in connection with the Battle of Llongborth in the poem, despite its title. Bryce identifies Llongborth with the 710 battle between that Geraint and Saxon leaderIne of Wessex.Strathclyde had rulers named Geraint and Erbin/Elfin in the same era, and was also known as Damnonia, after theDumnonii tribe of the area inRomano-British times, and thus easily confused withDumnonia/Devon.
TheAnglo-Saxon Chronicle says: "Port and his two sons, Bieda and Maegla, came to Britain at the place calledPortsmouth, and slew a young Welshman, a very noble man." Scholars believe that the Llongborth mentioned in the poem "Geraint son of Erbin" is the Portsmouth of theChronicle entry and that Geraint is the "young Welshman" who was killed there.[2]
Geraint is most famous as the protagonist in the Welsh taleGeraint and Enid, where he becomes the lover ofEnid.Geraint and Enid is one of the threeWelsh Romances associated with theMabinogion. Its story closely parallels the French writerChrétien de Troyes'sErec and Enide.[3] Some scholars feel both works derived from a common lost source, but most believe the Welsh version derives directly or indirectly from Chrétien. In this case, the renowned figure of Geraint would have been added to the story to suit Welsh audiences unfamiliar with Chrétien's protagonist,Erec.
InGeraint and Enid, Geraint's father was said to be a shepherd named Erbin.[3] According toCulhwch and Olwen, Geraint had brothers Ermind andDywel.
Geraint and Enid was reworked byAlfred Tennyson into the poemsThe Marriage of Geraint andGeraint and Enid, part of hisIdylls of the King.[4] The Arthurian character in later works is often referred to as Sir Geraint.
According to thevita ofSaint Teilo, in 549, in order to avoid thePlague of Justinian ("peste gialla del 547")[5] then sweeping through Britain, Teilo, with a small group of monks, leftLlandaff to joinSamson of Dol in Brittany. Passing through Dumnonia, they were received hospitably by King Geraint at Din Gerrein. In gratitude, Teilo promised the King his spiritual assistance at the hour of death. Seven years later, Teilo returned to give the King the last rites. Perhaps because of the relationships that bound him to Teilo, he too was proclaimed holy.[5]
NearFalmouth, local legends of thefolk saint King Geraint,patron saint ofGerrans, claim he was buried on Carne Beacon nearVeryan.[6] Gerrans celebrates his festival on the second Sunday in August. His feast day is 10 August.[5]
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