Carnwennan

Carnwennan, or Carnwenhau ("little white hilt"), was the dagger of King Arthur in the Welsh Arthurian legends. It is sometimes attributed with the magical power to shroud its user in shadow.

Carnwennan
Plot element from Arthurian legend
First appearanceWelsh Triads
GenreFantasy
In-story information
TypeFictional dagger
Element of stories featuringKing Arthur

In Culhwch and Olwen, Arthur names it as one of the few things in the world which he will not give to Culhwch. Later, he uses it to slay the witch Orddu daughter of Orwen by slicing her in half.[1]

In the Welsh Triads, Carnwennan is listed alongside Rhongomiant, Arthur's spear, and Caledfwlch, Arthur's sword, as sacred weapons given to him by God: "the sacred weapons that God had given him: Rhongomiant his spear, Caledfwlch a sword, and Carnwennan his dagger" (Bromwich's translation).[2]

Carnwennan is exclusive to the Welsh traditions of Arthur. Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae excludes it, though it mentions the sword Caliburn and lance Rhongomiant. In Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, Arthur has a dagger which he uses to kill a giant, but it is not named.

References
  1. Culhwlch and Olwen (Lady Charlotte Guest's translation)
  2. "The Twenty-Four Knights of Arthur's Court", The Welsh Triads
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