"The Circle of Ceridwen": Part the Second Quiz

Answer: He is the man Ælfwyn wanted to marry.

Ælfwyn was in love with Gyric and wished to marry him until her father brokered peace with Yrling. The girls immediately start a plan to help him escape. Although I agree that freeing him ended up being the right thing to do, I still think that their plan is rushed and foolhardy and could have led to Ælfwyn's death, although they do the best they can in the little time they have, and I admire Ceridwen's proactivity. "Gyric" is pronounced "GUY-rich" after Old English rules.

Answer: His eyes were burned out.

I think that the way he speaks of it so directly and succinctly is frightening. The girls learn that Hingvar's brother Svein captured Saxons and was waiting to ransom them; to spite his brother, Hingvar killed or maimed many of Svein's prisoners so no ransom could be obtained. Ceridwen still wishes to free Gyric, but Ælfwyn learns of his maiming and says he would be better off dead. Ceridwen disagrees, and her compassion leads her to escape with him in defiance of her friend.

Answer: Gwyneth

Gwyneth was once mistress to Lord Merewala (the late Saxon Lord of Four Stones) and bore him a son; she was sent away when they saw her son Holt was "odd". Ceridwen considers Holt fortunate, for he is alive and has a pleasant life living off the land with his mother.

The same cannot be said for Merewala's other sons, who are all dead. Gwyneth saves Gyric but warns Ceridwen that, because he is a warrior and has been blinded, "Part of him will never forgive you."

Answer: Danes slaughtered the villagers.

Gyric does not want to take the time to return him but Ceridwen will not leave the boy alone. They are given a warm reception at the nearby estate for bringing the child back safely.

Answer: By a lake

Gyric has just had a swim in a beautiful lake. Afterwards, he feels angry and ashamed because he did not ask her first (though she physically consented and could have easily fled had she wanted to). She is frightened because he does not talk to her immediately after it happens, but quickly discovers it is because he did not ask her to be his wife first. She quickly and gladly agrees.

While Ceridwen has love for Sidroc, something in him frightens her. She feels more at ease around Gyric, not because of his blindness, but because he accepts her completely; for example, when she speaks of heathen gods, he does not negatively judge her and even admits he sings in praise of heathen gods, though he does not worship them.

Answer: Cadmar was one of Gyric's father's warriors.

Cadmar was one of Godwulf's best warriors; his love of battle vanished when he lost his sons in the same fight. He now lives alone, away from conflict and in peace. He then very nicely goes away for the night so the happy couple may have a private night together.

The couple are triply married: in nature (by having sex), in a Christian ceremony, and in a heathen one in which they handfast, wrapping string around their wrists and making personal vows.

Answer: False

Gyric's parents praise Ceridwen for bringing their son home and accept her as their daughter, allaying Gyric's fears that they would reject him because of his blinding. Godwin and ten thegns (an old way to write "thane", a retainer to the nobility) leave to avenge Gyric; he and five of the ten return. Godwin is disturbed by some of the things he did to Hingvar, such that neither he nor Gryic will speak of them in detail to Ceridwen. I think that was a wise writing choice--we hear just enough to know that the vengeance was extremely brutal and can imagine the rest.

Answer: His Thor's hammer

Though Ceridwen attempts to protect Yrling, Sidroc, and Toki, Godwin considers Yrling partially responsible for Gyric's condition. I was upset to hear of Yrling's death because he was kind to Ælfwyn and was mostly reasonable. Ceridwen is able to claim the pendant to send it back to her friend at Four Stones in Lindisse, the 9th-century name for Lindsey.

Answer: A golden cross necklace

Ælfred grew up with Gyric and Godwin, seeing the two as his brothers, and is relieved to hear Gyric has survived. Gyric never removes the cross. Like the silver disc bracelet, the cross necklace has symbolic significance in the series and forms half of the title of the sixth book in the series, "Silver Hammer, Golden Cross". Yrling's pendant forms the first half.

Ælfred became King of Wessex in 871, about halfway through this first book.

Answer: False

She is pregnant at the end of the book (she is fifteen when she leaves the priory), but gives birth to a son in between books 1 and 2. Modwynn realizes the pregnancy when Ceridwen vomits for no reason and reveals she has not had her moonflow (menstrual cycle) in some time. She becomes pregnant during her first few weeks of marriage.