Buwch Frech
Y Fuwch Frech (Welsh: literally the speckled/brindled cow) is a cow in Welsh folklore.
She was described by
Cerrig-y-drudion, and leading her two children, long-horned oxen (which are themselves the subject of other legends), after her. Owen also quoted an earlier author on the matter of another Buwch Frech. This author translated it as a Dun Cow, and wrote that a bone said to belong to it was to be found in Gwydir near Llanrwst
. Owen observed that "we have in these places conflicting conditions, which I will not endeavour to reconcile".
The idea of fairy cows with abundant milk which came from and returned to lakes occurs across
Museum of Welsh Life lists a number of other names for them in both English and Welsh. Owen likewise linked his Freckled Cow with a number of similar cows such as one over the border in Shropshire
: "There she is known as The White Cow of Mitchell's Fold". This cow also gave a pail of milk to anyone who came until a witch milked her dry.
See also
References
- Elias Owen, Welsh Folklore 1896 (re-)published by Kessinger Publishing: ISBN 0-7661-3223-4, pp130-133 (htm#page130)
- Robin Gwyndaf, Welsh Folk Tales, published by the National Museums and Galleries of Wales, ISBN 0-7200-0326-1, (story 26, Aberdyfi).