1 of 14

The 13 Treasures of Britain

Thirteen items that when brought together will bring the gods back to England or will give the humans power to overthrow the intruding gods. However you want to look at it, it is a fascinating idea that is lost with the King Arthur tales. If King Arthur is Christian, then you want him going after Christian artifacts like the holy grail. If King Arthur is pagan, well, you want him to go after less Christian things.

These treasures according to 18th century scholar Lewis Morris, were taken to Bardsey Island and placed in a glass house (which, as we all know, is NOT a good place to throw stones or feed seagulls). The earliest written works about the treasures (also known as the hallows - a possible source of the Harry Potter Hallows) only mentions their names and that they are treasures "from the North."

2 of 14

#1 White Hilt - the Sword of Rhydderch the Generous

3 of 14

#2 The Hamper of Gwyddno Long-Shank

Apparently, a young man by the name of Culhwch, fell in love. He fell in love with the daughter of a giant named Ysbaddadan, who was not interested in his daughter marring such a cocky young man (that and the fact that if she gets married, he will die). Young love, however, is not easily deterred and Culhwch accepts a challenge to collect 39 things. All these things are virtually impossible to find and, when found, belong to people who are not willing to give them up ro unable to get rid of them. That does not stop our young hero, and off he goes in search of the treasures. One of the treasures is also the second treasure of Britain.

It is said that if you put food for one man in it, you'll open it up and find food for a hundred men.

Culhwch eventually got all the items, but not without help. King Arthur and his knights joined the hunt and helped him out. When Culhwch gets back to him, you might would think that Ysbaddadan tried to back out of the deal, but, with somewhat refreshing originality, the giant puts Culhwch down for not finding all the items himself. As soon as he does, another warrior who evidently was just sitting around waiting for this opportunity, leaps up and decapitates the giant in one blow!

4 of 14

#3 The Horn of Bran Galed the Niggard

5 of 14

#4 The Chariot of Morgan the Wealthy

6 of 14

#5 The Halter of Clydno Eiddyn

7 of 14

#6 The Knife of Llawfrodedd the Horseman

8 of 14

#7 The Cauldron of Dyrnwch the Giant

9 of 14

#8 The Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd

10 of 14

#9 The Coat of Padarn of the Scarlet Robe

Can only be worn by a noble person. If you are of such high birth, then it would fit you perfectly. If you were just some punk, it would not fit at all.

There is a St. Padarn. St. Padarn had established a monastery and is an actual historical figure. His history, however, runs into mythology as many of the early saints tend to do. This saint, just like Padarn Red-Coat, has a run in with Arthur. This run-in involves a tunic. So you can see that the two stories must have a common origin. In the saint's story, Arthur tried to steal his tunic.

When Arthur tries to take the tunic, Padarn causes the earth to swallow Arthur up to his neck. Arthur then sees the error of his ways and the awesomeness of God and begs forgiveness. Padarn, being a saint and all, forgives Arthur and the earth spits him back out.

11 of 14

#10 & 11 - The Crock and Dish of Rhygenydd the Cleric

12 of 14

#12 The Chessboard of Gwenddolau

13 of 14

#13 The Mantle of Arthur in Cornwall

14 of 14

#14 & 15? - The Mantle of Tegau Eufron and Eluned’s Stone and Ring

The Mantle of Tegau Eurfron and Eluned's Stone and Ring are treasures number 14 and 15; however, they do not appear on every list and when they do, Rhygenydd's crock and dish are made into one treasure and one of the other treasures are dropped so that the number stays at 13. Neither one of these are traditional, but as they do appear, I thought that they should be recognized. Sort of like recognizing Never Say Never Again as a Bond movie, when it really isn't.

Tegau Eurfron's Mantle belonged to Eurfron the Fair (that's what the Tegau part stands for). She had a nickname - gold breasted. She got bit by a snake on her breasts and they had to be removed, so she had gold ones built to replace them. This mantle is much like the other treasures: only a woman who has been chaste could wear this and have it fit. Women of the more, er, experienced type, would find the mantle too short (which probably suited their purposes anyway).

Eluned's Stone and Ring is a little harder to find the answer to. I found a Eluned who was a 5th century saint, but nothing connecting him to a ring. One source stated that the wearer would become invisible, a bit already done in the treasures. It appears that you could wear the ring normally, but when you hid the stone on the ring (with your hand or something) it would hide you.