Caradoc is a semi-legendary ancestor of the kings of Gwent (Wales) living during the 5th century. He is also mentioned in the legend of King Arthur as one of the Knights of the Round Table with the nickname Breichbras ("strong arm").
Although the name "Caradoc" and the forms derived from it were particularly rare in the Middle Ages, it seems that the term "Caradogs", found in Welsh genealogies and hagiographies, such as Life of St. Tatheus ("The Life of Saint Tatheus") refers to the same person. Due to the number of occurrences of the name, there is great confusion as to the identity of Caradoc, both historically and literary. He could thus be confused with the Breton hero[1] Caratacos, also called Caradoc, Cerdic of Wessex, and many other Caradocs who lived in less remote times. His genealogy varies according to the texts:he is called the son of Llyr Marini several times in the Mabinogion, while a Breton legend calls him Caradoc the Elder, thus adding to the confusion.
He appears in the Welsh Triads and is described there as one of the aged chieftains surrounding Arthur at Celliwig (Cornwall) and as one of the Three Knights of the Isle of Britain. His horse is called Luagor (“host splitter”). His wife, Tegau Eurfron ("chest of gold"" is also mentioned in the triads as one of the three beautiful young girls who evolve at Arthur's court. The great love that unites Caradoc to his wife is considered the "one of the three upper links of Brittany. This tradition may have originated in a 12th century French novel (see below). According to Arthurian legends, Caradoc was a member of the Round Table in the time of Uther Pendragon, but, when Arthur seized power, he rebelled by allying himself with other kings, eventually reconciling with the young king and becoming one of his staunchest allies.
Caradoc appears frequently in Arthurian literature and is even sometimes the main character, as in the Life of Caradoc, included in the first cycle of Chrétien de Troyes, Perceval or the Tale of the Grail. The story, probably inspired by Celtic tradition, seems to aim to explain why Caradoc received his nickname "Bras-fort":Caradoc the Elder marries the beautiful Ysave, but she is quickly seduced by an enchanter named Eliavres. He casts a spell on Caradoc, the effect of which causes him to confuse his wife with various farm animals, while the sorcerer is busy conceiving a son. Caradoc the Elder gives the child his own name and the boy becomes a young and talented nobleman. Caradoc the Younger leaves for Arthur's court and becomes a Knight of the Round Table like his father.
Shortly after, Eliavres enters the room and asks to carry out a test of decapitation (a Celtic motif evokes it in Bricriu's Feast ("Fled Bricrend"), written in Old Irish, and in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , written in Medieval English). He asks a knight to cut off his head, his only condition being that, if he survives it, he will take the knight's head in exchange. Caradoc takes up the challenge and, as a man of honor, offers his neck to the blade of the sorcerer who succeeds in putting his head back in place. Eliavres refuses to kill the young Caradoc, but he reveals to him that he is his father.
Caradoc the Younger is logically saddened to hear this news. He embarks on many chivalrous adventures, during which he notably meets his best friend, Lord Cador, traveling with his sister Guinier. Back in his kingdom, he reveals his father's cuckoldry, and the two Caradocs, the Elder and the Younger, plot a humiliating revenge against Eliavres by means of several farm animals. The offender is locked away from his mistress Ysave.
Everything is fine until the wizard tries to escape. As Caradoc the Younger tries to stop him, Eliavres orders a serpent to wrap itself around Caradoc's arm which breaks and drains his life energy. Cador and Guinier passing by find a way to remove the snake from Caradoc's arm. The latter must sit in a vinegar tub while Guinier sits in a tub of milk, taking care to show off her breasts. The snake, repelled by the smell of vinegar, flees in the direction of Guinier, but Cador kills it with his sword. Unfortunately, in doing so, he also cuts off Guinier's nipple (which would later be replaced with a gold nipple). Although Caradoc is released, his arm will remain permanently bruised, hence his nickname "Bras-Court". Guinier and Caradoc marry and, after passing the traditional fidelity test (during which the engaged couple must drink from a horn), both lead a happy life.
This tale is found in all three versions of the Premier Cycle as well as in one of Renart's novels, albeit in an abbreviated form. Although it does not appear until the last decade of the 13th century, it is very likely that it was inspired by a Welsh version, as allusions to this tale are found in the Welsh Triads. The Triads evoke the woman of Caradoc, Tegau, for her love and her fidelity, and her nickname of Eurfon (Chestnut-of-Gold) suits perfectly the Guinier of the Life of Caradoc. In addition, it evokes the coat used during the loyalty test. In tales, this coat often replaces the horn from which one drinks during chastity tests.