Cath Palug

 


The cath palug was a monsterous cat from Arthurian legend. Like the rest of Arthurian legend, the cath palug started out in Wales, but was transposed and eventually became more popular in France. The appearance of the cat is rarely described, yet it is said to be an aquatic creature, being part cat and part fish, yet still fully capable of moving on land. The only consistency about the cath palug's appearance is that it's black in color, reminiscent of the many phantom cats seen around the UK.


The cath palug was original born from the monstrous pig Henwen, who threw the kitten into the sea. Cath palug survived this ordeal and swam to the isle of Anglesey, where it was found and raised by the brothers Palug. Although eventually they too abandoned the cat as it grew in size and violence until they couldn't care for the creature anymore. In adulthood the cath palug tormented the isle of Anglesey, attacking livestock and people. Nine scores, or 180, heroes faced the cat and were killed as a result. The cath palug was finally slain by Kay, Arthur's brother. He did this by distracted the cat with the light shining off his shield, which had been polished to a mirror finish.


The cath palug eventually made its way to France with the rest of Arthurian legend. In the 13th century, one of the first French works mentioning the cath palug was a vindictive poem, criticizing both England and the Arthurian legend, where the author wrote king Arthur, instead of Kay, battling and being killed by cath palug. The cath palug then swam to Camelot and became king in Arthur's place. The poem itself is lost, our only remaining knowledge of it comes from a rebuttal written by contemporary poet, André de Coutance. While the poem itself was lost in the modern era, it was well known in its time. Arthur being killed by the cath palug became a pessimistic rebuttal for people who either didn't believe in code of chivalry or didn't believe it was being followed by those who should. It was the “I don't believe in fairy tales” of its time.


However there were plenty of people who still wanted to believe in the more positive view of Arthur, and in chivalrous romances of their time. Also coming from the 13th century was L'Estoire de Merlin, where the cath palug was featured again. This time the cat originated from Lac Lausanne. There an unlucky fisherman said he would dedicate the next living creature he caught on his line to God if he could make a catch. He then caught the cath palug as a small kitten. He felt sorry for the little kitten out in the lake and took it home to care for it, breaking his oath. The cath palug grew into a monster as it aged and eventually kills the fisherman who took it home. It then took over the Lac Lausanne area and devoured anyone foolish to approach there. Like in the original Welsh version, many heroes would try to slay the cat and fail. Eventually Arthur would kill the cath palug, using the same method as Kay in the original. 


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