The Mabinogion

The translator states that while working on the translations and notes he was led into extensive reading bearing on early Mediæval Romance, and became aware of the closeness of the connexion between the Welsh Mabinogion and Continental Romance. He observes that twelfth- and thirteenth-century European Romance drew on Chivalry, from which the Celts stood apart, yet many heroes and places in romances such as Ywaine and Gawaine, Sir Perceval, and Mort d’Arthur are Celtic. He traces these romances back through France, citing Wace’s Brut d’Angleterre (about 1155), Chrestien de Troyes, Geoffrey of Monmouth, Layamon, Gaimar, and Sir Tristrem, arguing much Mediæval Romance proceeded from Wales. He describes Welsh manuscripts, chiefly the Red Book of Hergest and the Black Book of Caermarthen, and divides the Mabinogion into older and later classes, placing the Lady of the Fountain among the later. He presents a topographical argument for the antiquity of the tales, listing Welsh place-names, and states his conclusions confirmed. He signs C. E. G., Dowlais, August 29th, 1848. The tale begins: King Arthur sits at Caerlleon upon Usk with Owain, Kynon, Kai, and Gwenhwyvar; Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr acts as porter. Arthur sleeps, bidding the company tell tales and obtain mead and meat from Kai. After dispute, Kynon tells his tale: journeying, he reaches a valley and castle, meets yellow-haired youths and a courteous man, and twenty-four damsels who serve him. The man directs him to a black, one-footed, one-eyed woodward who controls wild animals by striking a stag. The woodward directs Kynon toward a tall tree.

A speaker describes to the listener a fountain with a marble slab, silver bowl and chain, instructing that throwing water on the slab brings thunder, a hailstorm, then fair weather, singing birds, and a black-clad knight who will unhorse him. Kynon recounts to Kai that he followed these instructions, endured the shower under his shield, heard the birds, then was met and overthrown by the knight in black, who took Kynon's horse and left him. Kynon returned shamed past the black man, was entertained at the castle, and rode home on a bay palfrey. Owain proposes finding the place; Kai mocks him, Gwenhwyvar rebukes Kai, and Arthur wakes. Owain sets out alone, reaches the castle, maidens, black man, and fountain as Kynon described. Owain throws the water, meets the knight, and strikes him a mortal blow; the knight flees to a castle, where a portcullis cuts Owain's horse in two and traps him. A yellow-haired maiden gives Owain a ring that conceals him, and hides and feeds him. Owain watches the funeral of the slain nobleman and falls in love with the mourning lady, whom the maiden names Countess of the Fountain, mistress of the maiden Luned. Luned shaves and grooms Owain, then goes to the Countess, quarrels with her, and persuades her she needs a defender for the fountain. Luned pretends to visit Arthur's Court but stays with Owain, then presents him. The Countess recognizes him as her lord's slayer but, after consulting her subjects, marries Owain, who does homage received and defends the fountain three years, overthrowing knights. Arthur grieves for the lost Owain; Gwalchmai counsels seeking him. Arthur, guided by Kynon, journeys with three thousand men to the fountain, where Kai comes to Arthur and speaks.

A man asks Arthur's leave to throw water on the slab and receive the first adventure; Arthur consents. Kai throws water, bringing thunder, then a shower that kills many of Arthur's attendants. The tree becomes leafless, birds descend and sing, and a black-clad knight on a coal-black horse approaches. Kai encounters him and is overthrown, then challenged again the next day and wounded in the forehead. All Arthur's household are overthrown except Arthur and Gwalchmai. Gwalchmai, in a robe of honour from the Earl of Rhangyw's daughter, fights the knight for three days. When his helmet is turned aside, the knight, revealed as Owain, recognizes him; each declares the other the victor, and Arthur takes both swords. Owain embraces Arthur. Owain hosts them at the Castle of the Countess of the Fountain, feasting three months. Arthur asks the Countess to lend Owain for three months; Owain stays three years. A damsel takes the ring from Owain's hand, naming him deceiver. Grieving, Owain wanders into the wilderness, wasting away. A widowed Countess's maiden anoints him with balsam and restores him. Owain captures the young Earl besieging her, and the Earl restores her lands. Owain departs, slays a serpent attacking a black lion, which follows him. He finds Luned imprisoned, learns she is condemned for defending Owain son of Urien. He lodges with a sorrowful Earl whose sons a giant holds; with the lion's aid Owain slays the giant and frees the sons. He rescues Luned from burning, the lion slaying the two youths. Owain takes the Countess to Arthur's Court as wife. He then defeats the savage black man, who becomes a hospice-keeper, and frees twenty-four ladies. Owain dwells at Arthur's Court with his three hundred ravens.

Earl Evrawc of the North has seven sons and is slain in wars with six of them; the youngest, Peredur, survives. His mother flees to the wilderness, keeping horses and arms from him. Peredur, seeing two hornless hinds among the goats, drives them home. Three knights pass—Gwalchmai son of Gwyar, Geneir Gwystyl, and Owain son of Urien, pursuing a knight. His mother calls them angels; Peredur questions Owain about their equipment, then returns saying they were knights, and his mother swoons. He takes a piebald horse and rides off after his mother counsels him about churches, food, outcries, jewels, and women. He finds a tent, eats, and takes a maiden's ring; her lord, the Lord of the Glade, returns and vows vengeance. At Arthur's Court a knight has struck Gwenhwyvar and challenged the household. Peredur enters; Kai mocks him; a dwarf and dwarfess hail him as son of Evrawc, and Kai strikes them both. Kai sends Peredur after the knight, whom Peredur kills with a fork through the eye. Owain reproves Kai, then gives Peredur the knight's arms; Peredur sends the goblet to Gwenhwyvar and vows to avenge the dwarfs. He overthrows a knight, then sixteen more, all sent to Arthur; Kai is reproved. At a lakeside castle a lame hoary-headed man, revealed as his uncle, has him fight his sons and teaches him not to question wonders. At another castle a second uncle has him break an iron staple with a sword; youths bear a bleeding spear and maidens a severed head, but Peredur asks nothing. He then meets a grieving woman, his foster-sister, who names him accursed for his mother's death; he buries her husband's corpse and overthrows the killing knight, who begs mercy.

A defeated knight receives Peredur's mercy on terms: marry the widow of the man he slew, go to Arthur's Court to report Peredur overthrew him, and announce Peredur will not return until he avenges the insult to the dwarf and dwarfess. The knight complies. Arthur's household reproves Kai; Owain says Peredur will not come until Kai departs, and Arthur vows to search for Peredur. Peredur reaches a weed-grown castle, is admitted by an auburn youth, meets eighteen lean red-headed youths and five maidens, the fairest in a tattered garment. Nuns bring wine and bread; Peredur shares it equally. The maiden, urged by the youths, comes weeping and recounts how an earl warred on her. Peredur defeats, over three days, the earl's Master of Household, Steward, and the earl himself, each restoring her possessions and becoming her captive. He names himself Peredur son of Evrawc and departs. He aids the wife of the Lord of the Glade, overthrowing her accusing knight. At another castle he defends a lady against the sorceresses of Gloucester, striking one who names him; he spares her and trains three weeks at their palace. At a hermit's cell he sees snow, a raven, and blood, and thinks of his beloved's colouring. Arthur's men find him abstracted; he unhorses twenty-four youths and breaks Kai's arm and shoulder. Gwalchmai courteously approaches, converses, and the two pledge fellowship; Peredur returns to Arthur, then to Caerlleon. There Angharad Law Eurawc refuses his love; Peredur vows silence to Christians until she loves him. He kills a chained lion, enters a valley castle, and meets a huge grey man with two pages, an aged woman, and a young woman, sitting to meat.

Peredur and the maiden are served by two pages. The maiden weeps, declaring she loves Peredur, and warns that the black houses belong to the giant vassals of the grey man, her father, and that they will slay him tomorrow in the Round Valley. She has his horse and arms placed in his lodging. Next morning the aged woman and maiden ask the grey man to accept the youth's word; he refuses. Peredur slays a third of the host, then the yellow-haired and auburn-haired youths, the grey man's sons. Peredur grants mercy on condition they do homage to Arthur and be baptized; Arthur gives the valley to the grey man. Peredur then slays a serpent lying on a gold ring and takes it. Meeting Arthur's household, Kai questions him thrice and, unanswered, thrusts his thigh; Gwalchmai rebukes Kai and arranges care with Gwenhwyvar. Peredur overthrows knights daily and, borrowing Arthur's horse, defeats a knight. Called the Dumb Youth, he speaks to Angharad Law Eurawc, professing love. Hunting from Caerlleon, he finds a hall where a maiden weeps; the black one-eyed man spares him at her request. Peredur defeats him; the Black Oppressor tells of the serpent-stone giving gold, and of the Sons of the King of the Tortures, the Countess of the Achievements, and the Mound of Mourning, then Peredur slays him. He declines a maiden's offer. At the Palace, slain men are revived; an Addanc kills them daily. A lady on a mound gives him a stone to see the Addanc, bidding him seek her towards India. Passing sheep that change colour and a half-burning tree, he takes the narrow road, slays the Addanc, and declines a sister's hand. Etlym Gleddyv Coch becomes his attendant; Peredur wins the Countess and gives her to Etlym. At the Mound of Mourning, Peredur overthrows the tents, slays the serpent, pays the guardians, and gives Etlym the stone. He reaches a valley of tents and mills and questions an auburn-haired man.

The miller tells Peredur he is chief miller of all the mills, and grants him lodging. Peredur borrows money from the miller to buy food and drink for the household, promising repayment, and asks why the multitude has assembled. The miller explains the Empress of Cristinobyl the Great is present and will have only the most valiant man, and the mills were built to feed the thousands. Peredur equips for the tournament and sees a beautiful maiden in satin leaning from a tent window, and gazes at her for three days, repeatedly borrowing money despite the miller's wife's anger. On the third day the miller strikes him with an axe; Peredur smiles, goes to the tournament, overthrows all, sends the vanquished to the Empress and their horses and arms to the miller's wife as payment. The Empress summons him thrice; he refuses, binds a hundred knights and throws them in the mill-dyke. A wise man persuades him to visit. Three successively larger black/rough men bring wine; Peredur receives each goblet and gives it to the miller's wife, then slays the three men. The Empress reminds him of his pledge when she gave the stone and he killed the Addanc; he is entertained fourteen years. At Caerlleon, Arthur sits with Owain, Gwalchmai, Howel, and Peredur. A hideous black maiden greets all but Peredur, rebuking him for not asking about the streaming spear at the Lame King's court. She describes a castle and imprisoned maiden. Gwalchmai and Peredur vow quests. A knight accuses Gwalchmai of slaying his lord. Gwalchmai lodges with an Earl's sister; accused of slaying the Earl's father, he obtains a year's respite. Peredur meets a priest, learns it is Good Friday, lodges with him, then reaches a King's palace where the daughter laughs; the yellow page warns the King, who imprisons Peredur.

The maiden asks her father why he imprisoned the youth from Arthur's Court; the King refuses to free him. She comforts Peredur in prison. When the King's hosts gather for battle against an Earl, Peredur borrows horse, arms, a scarlet robe and yellow shield, and overthrows the Earl's men, returning each time to prison. On the fourth day he slays the Earl. The maiden identifies him; the King offers his daughter, half his kingdom, and two Earldoms, but Peredur seeks the Castle of Wonders. Directed to a lake, he enters the Castle, casts the self-playing chessboard into the lake, and is rebuked by the black maiden. She sends him to slay the black man of Ysbidinongyl; he spares then, at her insistence, slays him. She sends him to slay a one-horned stag, which he beheads. A lady on horseback sends him to challenge a man at a cromlech; a black man fights him and vanishes with Peredur's horse. Peredur finds a castle with a lame grey-headed man and Gwalchmai. A yellow-haired youth reveals he was the black maiden and Peredur's cousin, that the sorceresses of Gloucester slew Peredur's cousin and lamed his uncle, and Peredur is to avenge them. Peredur, Gwalchmai, and Arthur's household slay the sorceresses. Arthur holds Court at Caerlleon. Madawc, a forester, reports a white stag. Arthur arranges a hunt; Gwenhwyvar asks to watch. Gwalchmai proposes the stag's slayer give its head to a lady. Gwenhwyvar oversleeps, then follows with a maiden and meets Geraint. A dwarf strikes the maiden, then Geraint, with a whip. Geraint follows the knight to a town, lodges with a hoary-headed man, an old woman, and a beautiful maiden.

The maiden returns with a youth bearing mead and a bullock, and bread; Geraint accepts it. They eat, Geraint seated between the hoary-headed man and his wife, the maiden serving. Geraint asks who owns the palace; the man says he built it but lost his Earldom after seizing his nephew's possessions and being warred upon. The man explains the Sparrow-Hawk tournament held by the young Earl, and the Knight of the Sparrow-Hawk. Geraint borrows arms, keeps his own horse, and asks to challenge for the man's daughter; permission is granted. At dawn all four go to the meadow. Geraint disputes the proclamation and fights the knight, breaking many lances, which the hoary-headed man supplies, including his own knighthood lance. Geraint unhorses him; they fight with swords until, urged to vengeance, Geraint wounds the knight to the skull. The knight yields; Geraint spares him on condition he go to Gwenhwyvar. They exchange names—Geraint son of Erbin and Edeyrn son of Nudd—and Edeyrn departs. Geraint declines the young Earl's invitation, has Earl Ynywl's possessions restored, and receives the maiden, but reserves her for Arthur's Court. Meanwhile Arthur hunts the stag, his dog Cavall turning it, and Arthur beheads it. A dispute over the head arises; Gwenhwyvar counsels withholding it until Geraint returns. Edeyrn arrives, conveys Geraint's greeting; Arthur recognizes him, Gwenhwyvar grants mercy, and Morgan Tud tends him with Arthur and others as sureties. Geraint arrives with the maiden. Arthur gives her to Geraint; she is named Enid and becomes his bride. Gwenhwyvar bestows the stag's head on Enid. Geraint gains fame over three years. At Caerlleon at Whitsuntide, ambassadors salute Arthur.

Ambassadors from Cornwall address a lord, identifying themselves as sent from Erbin the son of Custennin, the lord's uncle. They relate that Erbin grows feeble and aged, that neighbouring chiefs covet his land, and that he beseeches the lord to permit Geraint his son to return to protect his boundaries rather than pursue tournaments. Arthur bids the ambassadors eat and await an answer. Arthur and Gwenhwyvar both feel grief at the prospect of parting with Geraint and Enid. Arthur informs Geraint of the mission, and Geraint agrees to go, taking companions. Gwenhwyvar arranges provision for the lady with her. The ambassadors depart; Geraint follows with a named host, including Gwalchmai, Kai, and Edeyrn the son of Nudd, whom Gwenhwyvar permits to go. They cross the Severn, where Erbin's nobles and Geraint's mother receive Enid the daughter of Ynywl. Erbin gives his dominions to Geraint, who receives homage; Gwalchmai and Kadyrieith assist with granting boons. Geraint tours his boundaries, frequents tournaments, then withdraws to his wife's chamber, losing his nobles' regard. Erbin questions Enid, who denies causing it. Enid, weeping over sleeping Geraint, laments his lost fame; he wakes, suspects her, and orders her into worst garments to ride ahead in silence. They travel wild roads. Enid warns Geraint three times of horsemen—four, three, then five—whom Geraint slays each time, gathering their horses. They shelter in a wood overnight, then meet a youth who feeds them and arranges lodging in a town, telling the Earl of Geraint's arrival.

A youth tells the Earl he must go wait on Geraint; the Earl sends a greeting and word that he will visit in the evening. Geraint has the man of the house invite and feast his companions at Geraint's expense. The Earl arrives with twelve knights, asks Geraint's purpose, then asks permission to speak with Enid. Geraint grants it. The Earl offers Enid his Earldom to dwell with him; she refuses, citing her pledged faith. He threatens to slay Geraint. Enid, to encourage him, tells him to come next day and take her as if she knew nothing. That night Enid wakes Geraint and warns him of the Earl's plan. Though angry, Geraint arms, pays the host with eleven horses and armour, and departs by a different road. The Earl Dwnn pursues with fourscore knights. Enid warns Geraint of the pursuit; he overthrows all the knights and the Earl, granting the Earl mercy. Geraint and Enid reach a valley; a knight names its lord Gwiffert Petit, the Little King. The Little King challenges Geraint; Geraint defeats him and takes him as an ally. Geraint, wounded, rests under a tree in a wood where Arthur's company has come. Kai confronts Geraint and is unhorsed; Kai sends Gwalchmai, who recognizes Geraint. Gwalchmai arranges for Arthur's tent to be moved roadside. Arthur greets Geraint and Enid, insists Geraint be healed; Morgan Tud tends him nearly a month. Healed, Geraint departs with Enid. He kills two of three giants who slew a lady's husband, slays the third, then collapses lifeless before Enid. The Earl of Limours takes Geraint and the damsels to his court, urges Enid to change garments and eat; she refuses until Geraint eats. The Earl gives her a box on the ear.

Enid raises a piercing shriek, believing Geraint dead. Her cry revives Geraint, who sits up on the bier, seizes his sword, and cleaves the Earl in twain. The others flee. Geraint grieves that Enid has lost her colour and that she was right. He asks Enid where their horses are; she directs him to his, which he mounts, placing her with him. Riding between hedges, they hear a host; Geraint sets Enid beyond the hedge. A knight charges, and Enid cries out; he proves to be the Little King, come to aid Geraint. He takes them to a Baron's palace, where physicians heal Geraint over a fortnight and month, and the Little King has Geraint's armour repaired. Geraint insists on journeying one more day. Meeting a man where roads divide, Gwiffert asks his origin; the man warns of a hedge of mist with enchanted games at Earl Owain's court. Geraint takes the lower road. A page brings them to Owain's court; Geraint refrains from eating, then insists on going to the games. At the hedge, stakes bear men's heads. Geraint enters the mist, finds a tent with a maiden in a golden chair, and sits in the empty chair. A knight appears and challenges him; Geraint overthrows him and demands the games and enchantment end. He sounds the horn, the mist vanishes, and all reconcile. Geraint returns home and reigns prosperously with Enid. Kilydd weds Goleuddydd, who bears Kilhwch in a swine's burrow. Dying, she charges Kilydd not to remarry until a briar grows on her grave. He later remarries, slaying King Doged. His stepmother declares Kilhwch's destiny is Olwen, daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr. Kilhwch rides to Arthur, passing the porter Glewlwyd, and asks Arthur to obtain Olwen, invoking many named warriors.

The text lists many of Arthur's men, including the sons of Kaw (among them Hueil, who never made a request of any lord), and others such as Manawyddan son of Llyr, Taliesin, Geraint son of Erbin, Morvran son of Tegid, Sandde Bryd Angel, and Kynwyl Sant, each with distinctive traits. It names men with special powers, including Henbedestyr, Henwas Adeinawg, Sgilti Yscawndroed, Teithi Hên, Drem son of Dremidyd, Osla Gyllellvawr, Sol, the two Gwadyns, Sugyn son of Sugnedydd, and Gwrhyr Gwastawd Ieithoedd. A list of women follows, including Gwenhwyvar, Creiddylad daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint, and others. Kilhwch adjures all these to obtain his boon. Arthur says he has not heard of the maiden but will send messengers, granting until year's end. The messengers return without knowledge of Olwen. Kilhwch protests he lacks his boon; Kai rebukes him and offers to go with him. Kai's, Bedwyr's, Kynddelig's, Gwrhyr's, Gwalchmai's, and Menw's peculiarities are described. They journey to a great castle, meeting a herdsman with a huge mastiff. Menw casts a spell on the dog. The herdsman is Custennin, brother of Yspaddaden Penkawr. Kilhwch gives him a gold ring. Custennin's wife, learning her nephew has come, greets them; Kai gives her a log to squeeze. A youth rises from a stone chest. The wife says Yspaddaden slew twenty-three of her sons. Olwen is summoned and comes, richly described. Kilhwch declares his love; Olwen says she cannot leave without her father's counsel but offers advice.

Olwen tells Kilhwch to ask her father Yspaddaden Penkawr for her and to grant whatever he requires; Kilhwch promises. She returns to her chamber, and the company follows to the castle, slaying the nine porters and nine watch-dogs silently. In the hall they greet Yspaddaden and ask for Olwen. He has forks raised from his eyebrows to see his son-in-law, then bids them return tomorrow, and throws a poisoned dart; Bedwyr catches and hurls it back, piercing Yspaddaden through the knee. Yspaddaden curses. They lodge with Custennin the herdsman. The next day they again demand her; Yspaddaden throws a second dart, and Menw son of Gwaedd flings it back through his breast. The third day Yspaddaden throws a third dart, which Kilhwch catches and casts through his eyeball. Each time Yspaddaden curses the smith and iron. On the fourth day Kilhwch is seated before him, and Yspaddaden names a long series of tasks required before the wedding: uprooting and sowing a hill in one day, obtaining Amaethon and Govannon sons of Don, various oxen including Nynniaw and Peibaw, flax, honey, vessels, the cauldron of Diwrnach, the tusk of Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd, the blood of a sorceress, the comb and scissors between the ears of Twrch Trwyth, the hound Drudwyn, Mabon son of Modron, Gwynn son of Nudd, Arthur and his companions, the sword of Gwrnach, and many more. To each Kilhwch answers it will be easy, declaring Arthur will obtain them and Yspaddaden will lose his life. Journeying, they reach Gwrnach the Giant's castle; Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd hails the porter, and Kai claims to be the best sword-burnisher. Admitted alone, Kai takes a whetstone and asks whether to burnish white or blue.

Kai polishes half a blade and asks Gwrnach the Giant if it pleases him; the Giant wishes the whole sword were like it and marvels Kai lacks a companion. Kai names Bedwyr, who enters. Custennin's son passes the wards, keeping his companions close, and is named Goreu. They disperse to slay the lodgers. Kai gives Gwrnach the finished sword, then, taking the scabbard, strikes off the Giant's head. They despoil the castle and bring the sword to Arthur's Court. Arthur seeks Mabon son of Modron, first needing Eidoel son of Aer, whom Glivi surrenders. Arthur sends Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd, Eidoel, Kai and Bedwyr. Gwrhyr questions the Ousel of Cilgwri, Stag of Redynvre, Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd, Eagle of Gwern Abwy, and Salmon of Llyn Llyw, who carries Kai and Gwrhyr to Gloucester, where Mabon laments. Arthur's warriors attack; Kai frees Mabon. Arthur next seeks the cubs of Gast Rhymhi; God restores the she-wolf and cubs to their form. Gwythyr son of Greidawl saves an ant-hill; the ants fetch the flax-seed Yspaddaden Penkawr required. Kai and Bedwyr take Dillus Varvawc's beard alive with wooden tweezers, slay him, and give the leash to Arthur, who composes an Englyn; Kai, angered, withdraws his aid. Creiddylad, taken by Gwyn ap Nudd from Gwythyr, is settled by Arthur so the two fight each May Day. Arthur gathers dogs and hunts Yskithyrwyn Penbaedd, whom Kaw of North Britain cleaves, taking the tusk; Cavall slays the boar. Menw, seeking the treasures between Twrch Trwyth's ears, takes a bristle and is poisoned. Bedwyr and Llenlleawg Wyddel seize Diwrnach Wyddel's cauldron and slay him. Arthur invades Ireland, fights Twrch Trwyth nine days without killing a pig; Grugyn Gwrych Ereint refuses to speak. The boars cross to Wales, and Twrch Trwyth slays eight of Arthur's champions before being wounded.

The boar slays Huandaw, Gogigwr, and Penpingon, three attendants of Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr, leaving only Llaesgevyn, and kills Gwlydyn Saer. Arthur overtakes him at Pelumyawc, where the boar slays Madawc son of Teithyon, Gwyn son of Tringad, and Eiryawn Penllorau; at Aberteivi he slays Kyflas son of Kynan and Gwilenhin king of France. Arthur asks Gwyn ab Nudd about Twrch Trwyth; Gwyn knows nothing. Grugyn Gwallt Ereint and Llwydawg Govynnyad kill the huntsmen. Through pursuits, several young pigs are killed. At Ystrad Yw, Llwydawg slays Hirpeissawg, Llygatrudd Emys, and Gwrbothu, Arthur's uncles, and is himself slain. Arthur declares he will oppose Twrch Trwyth. Mabon son of Modron, Kyledyr Wyllt and others seize the boar in the Severn and take his razor and scissors, but not the comb; he escapes to Cornwall, where the comb is finally obtained, and he is driven into the sea. Arthur seeks the blood of the witch Orddu; after Kacmwri, Hygwyd, Hiramreu, and Hireidil fail, Arthur cleaves her with Carnwennan, and Kaw keeps her blood. Kaw shaves Yspaddaden Penkawr; Goreu son of Custennin beheads him. Olwen becomes Kilhwch's bride. Then Madawc son of Maredudd rules Powys; his brother Iorwerth raids Loegria. Men seek him; Rhonabwy, Kynwrig Vrychgoch, and Cadwgan Vras lodge at Heilyn Goch's squalid house. Rhonabwy sleeps on a yellow calf-skin and dreams of crossing toward Rhyd y Groes, meeting Iddawc Cordd Prydain, who caused the battle of Camlan, and Rhuvawn Pebyr. They reach Arthur, who laments the men's small stature. Troops assemble; Adaon son of Taliesin, Elphin, Caradawc Vreichvras, March, and Edeyrn appear. Kai rides; Kadwr bears Arthur's sword. Arthur and Owain son of Urien prepare to play chess.

Arthur and Owain play chess. A page from a white tent salutes Owain and asks his leave concerning the Emperor's men tormenting Owain's Ravens; Arthur says "Play thy game." A ruddy youth from a yellow tent makes a similar complaint; Owain again defers. A third youth, angered, reports the Ravens killed and wounded; Owain bids him raise the banner where strife is thickest, and the Ravens rise and seize the men. Three knights in turn—on dun, grey, and piebald horses—come to Arthur reporting the Ravens slaying his men. Arthur crushes the golden chessmen to dust; Owain orders Gwres son of Rheged to lower the banner, and peace comes. Iddawc names the first three men (Selyv, Gwgawn Gleddyvrudd, Gwres) and last three (Blathaon, Rhuvawn Pebyr, Hyveidd Unllenn). Knights from Osla Gyllellvawr seek a truce; Arthur assembles counsellors. Iddawc names Rhun son of Maelgwn Gwynedd and praises Kadyriaith, who arranges the truce and gives tribute-asses to the bards. Kai speaks; a tumult wakes Rhonabwy, who had slept three days on the calf-skin. The tale is named. Pwyll, lord of Dyved, hunts at Glyn Cuch and drives strange white red-eared dogs off a stag. A horseman, Arawn King of Annwvyn, rebukes his discourtesy, then proposes Pwyll take his form and slay Havgan at the Ford with one stroke. Pwyll rules Annwvyn a year, feasting beside the Queen, strikes Havgan the deadly blow, refuses a second, and conquers both kingdoms. Arawn restores Pwyll's form; Pwyll returns and inquires how his land had been ruled.

The men of Annwvyn praise Pwyll's wisdom and generosity; Pwyll tells them to thank the one who was with them and relates the whole matter. They ask to keep the rule they have enjoyed, and Pwyll grants it. The friendship is strengthened with exchanged gifts, and Pwyll is thenceforth called Chief of Annwvyn. At Narberth, Pwyll ascends the mound Gorsedd Arberth despite warning of wounds or a wonder. A lady on a white horse appears; over three days Pwyll's men and then Pwyll himself pursue but cannot overtake her until Pwyll entreats her, and she stops. She names herself Rhiannon, daughter of Heveydd Hên, sought in marriage against her will because of her love for Pwyll. He chooses her; they set a tryst a year hence at Heveydd's palace. There Gwawl the son of Clud enters and asks a boon; Pwyll grants it unheard, and Gwawl claims Rhiannon. Rhiannon rebukes Pwyll and devises a plan with a magic bag. A year later Pwyll comes in rags, tricks Gwawl into the bag, ties it, and sounds his horn; his knights play "Badger in the Bag." Gwawl pleads; by Rhiannon's counsel he pledges never to seek revenge and provides sureties, then departs. Pwyll and Rhiannon marry and rule Dyved. In the third year the nobles press Pwyll for an heir; he asks a year's grace, and a son is born at Narberth. The six watching women fall asleep and the boy vanishes; fearing punishment, they kill whelps, smear Rhiannon's face with blood, and accuse her of devouring her son. Pwyll refuses to put her away, and Rhiannon takes a penance.

A penance requires the lady to remain at Narberth seven years, sit by the horseblock, tell her story, and offer to carry guests on her back; rarely does any permit. Teirnyon Twryv Vliant, Lord of Gwent Is Coed, watches his mare, which foals each May; a claw seizes the colt, and Teirnyon strikes off the arm, keeping colt and, at his door, an infant in satin. He and his wife feign her pregnancy, baptize the boy Gwri Wallt Euryn, and later give him the colt. Hearing of Rhiannon's punishment, Teirnyon notes the boy's likeness to Pwyll and resolves to return him. At Narberth, Rhiannon offers to carry them; Teirnyon and the boy refuse. At a feast, Teirnyon presents the boy as Rhiannon's son. Pendaran Dyved names him Pryderi; Pwyll approves. Pwyll gives the boy to Pendaran to foster; Teirnyon departs, refusing gifts. Pwyll dies; Pryderi rules Dyved, adds Cantrevs, and marries Kicva daughter of Gwynn Gohoyw. In the second portion, Bendigeid Vran son of Llyr, king, sits at Harlech with Manawyddan and half-brothers Nissyen (peacemaker) and Evnissyen (strife-maker). Matholwch, king of Ireland, arrives seeking Branwen daughter of Llyr; she is granted at Aberffraw and becomes his bride under tents. Evnissyen, angered at lacking consent, mutilates Matholwch's horses. Matholwch departs; Bendigeid Vran, through messengers Iddic and Heveydd Hir, then Manawyddan, Heveydd Hir, and Unic Glew Ysgwyd, offers atonement: horses, silver staff, gold plate, and a reviving cauldron. Matholwch accepts. Bendigeid Vran and Matholwch exchange the cauldron's history concerning Llassar Llaesgyvnewid, Kymideu Kymeinvoll, and the Iron House. They rest.

Matholwch journeys to Ireland with Branwen from Aber Menei with thirteen ships. Branwen gives jewels to visitors and bears a son, Gwern, put out to fosterage. In the second year, resentment over the earlier insult leads the Irish to make Branwen cook and have the butcher strike her ear daily; ferry traffic to Cambria is forbidden. Branwen rears a starling and sends a letter to Bendigeid Vran, who summons sevenscore and four countries and sails to Ireland, leaving Caradawc son of Bran and six others to guard Britain. Swineherds report a moving wood and mountain; Branwen explains it is her brother's fleet and Bendigeid Vran himself. Bendigeid Vran bridges the Linon with his body. Matholwch offers the kingdom to Gwern; a house is built. Evnissyen crushes the heads of two hundred hidden armed Irishmen. At the feast the boy Gwern is passed among the men; Evnissyen throws him into the fire. Branwen is restrained by Bendigeid Vran. Morddwydtyllyon speaks. The Irish use the cauldron of renovation; Evnissyen destroys it, bursting his own heart. Seven men escape, including Pryderi, Manawyddan, Taliesin; Bendigeid Vran, wounded, orders his head cut off and buried at the White Mount. Branwen's heart breaks at Aber Alaw. They learn Caswallawn conquered Britain and slew Caradawc's companions. The men feast seven years at Harlech with Rhiannon's birds, then fourscore years at Gwales until Heilyn opens the forbidden door; they bury the head in London. Five surviving Irishwomen repeople Ireland. Manawyddan grieves; Pryderi gives him Rhiannon and seven Cantrevs; Manawyddan and Rhiannon wed. A mist devastates Dyved, leaving only the four. They make saddles at Hereford until saddlers plot to slay them.

Pryderi urges slaying the townsmen; Manawyddan refuses, and the four move on. They make enamelled shields, prosper, are threatened, and flee. Manawyddan proposes shoemaking; he buys leather and gilded clasps while Pryderi stitches. When cordwainers plot against them, they journey to Dyved and Narberth, hunting for a year. A white boar leads them to a newly built castle. Against Manawyddan's counsel, Pryderi enters, grasps a golden bowl, and sticks fast. Rhiannon follows and is likewise trapped; the castle vanishes with them amid thunder and mist. Kicva grieves; Manawyddan pledges her his faith. They go to Lloegyr, resume shoemaking, are threatened again, and return to Dyved with wheat. Manawyddan sows three crofts; mice strip two, and he catches one sluggish mouse, imprisoning it in his glove. Kicva counsels releasing it. At the Gorsedd he prepares a gallows. A scholar offers a pound, a priest three pounds, and a bishop increasing sums to free the mouse. Manawyddan instead demands Pryderi's and Rhiannon's freedom, removal of the charm, and no vengeance. The bishop reveals himself as Llwyd son of Kilcoed, who enchanted Dyved to avenge Gwawl son of Clud over the game of Badger in the Bag; the mouse is his pregnant wife. Pryderi and Rhiannon appear freed; Manawyddan releases the mouse, restored to a woman, and the land is restored. Their bondage is described. The fourth portion begins: Math son of Mathonwy rules Gwynedd, Pryderi the South. Math must keep his feet in the maiden Goewin's lap. Gilvaethwy son of Don loves her; Gwydion perceives this and plans war, telling Math of pigs in the South.

Swine, they are now called. Gwydion asks who owns them; the answer is Pryderi the son of Pwyll, to whom they were sent from Annwvyn by Arawn king of Annwvyn. Gwydion offers to go as one of twelve in the guise of bards to seek the swine, and sets out with Gilvaethwy and ten other men to Ceredigiawn, to Rhuddlan Teivi, Pryderi's palace. Received joyfully, Gwydion is seated beside Pryderi and tells tales, being the best teller in the world. He asks for the animals from Annwvyn; Pryderi explains a covenant prevents giving them until they double in number. Gwydion proposes an exchange the next day. Working his arts, he conjures twelve horses, twelve greyhounds, and twelve gilded shields (formed of fungus), and gives them to Pryderi for the swine. Warning the illusion will last only a day, he journeys with the pigs through places named Mochdrev, Mochnant, and to Creuwyryon, where a sty is made. They proceed to Math the son of Mathonwy at Caer Dathyl and learn Pryderi assembles twenty-one Cantrevs in pursuit. At night Gwydion and Gilvaethwy return to Caer Dathyl; Gilvaethwy takes Math's couch and forces Goewin to remain unwillingly. Battle follows at Penardd and Arvon; the men of the South flee to Nantcall and Dol Pen Maen. Pryderi gives hostages, including Gwrgi Gwastra. Pryderi sends an embassy asking to fight Gwydion in single combat. Gwydion slays Pryderi by strength and magic; he is buried at Maen Tyriawc. The hostages are freed. Math learns from Goewin of the wrong done him; he takes Goewin as wife. He punishes Gwydion and Gilvaethwy, turning them successively into deer, wild hogs, and wolves over three years, producing offspring named Hydwn, Hychdwn, and Bleiddwn, then restores them. Math seeks Arianrod, daughter of Don, on Gwydion's counsel. She steps over his wand; a yellow-haired boy appears, whom Math names Dylan, who takes to the sea; he is later slain by his uncle Govannon. Gwydion hides a second small form in a chest; the infant grows swiftly. Gwydion takes the boy to Arianrod, who lays a destiny that he shall have no name save from her. By a shoemaking ruse Gwydion tricks her into naming him Llew Llaw Gyffes when the boy shoots a wren. She lays a further destiny that he shall bear no arms except from her. Gwydion rears him at Dinas Dinllev. Disguised as bards, Gwydion and the youth enter Arianrod's castle; Gwydion conjures a phantom fleet, and Arianrod herself brings them arms.

Gwydion and the youth finish arming; Gwydion reveals the tumult was a ruse to break Arianrod's prophecy and win arms for her son. Arianrod calls Gwydion wicked and lays a destiny that the youth shall never have a wife of the race inhabiting earth. Gwydion and Math form a wife from oak, broom, and meadow-sweet blossoms, naming her Blodeuwedd. Math gives the youth the Cantrev of Dinodig; he dwells at Mur y Castell. While he visits Math at Caer Dathyl, Gronw Pebyr, lord of Penllyn, hunts nearby; Blodeuwedd invites him in, and they fall in love and plot together. At Gronw's urging, Blodeuwedd learns from Llew Llaw Gyffes the elaborate manner in which he can be slain. Gronw makes the spear over a year; Blodeuwedd stages the bath and buck at Bryn Kyvergyr, and Gronw strikes Llew, who flies up as an eagle. Gronw takes Ardudwy. Gwydion searches, finds a sow feeding beneath an eagle, sings three Englyns to draw the eagle down, and restores Llew with his wand; Llew is healed. Blodeuwedd flees; her maidens drown, and Gwydion turns her into an owl. Gronw offers compensation, but Llew demands to strike him in return; Gronw's men refuse to take the blow (the third disloyal tribe). Gronw shelters behind a slab, but the dart pierces both slab and him, called Llech Gronw. Llew rules Gwynedd. This portion ends. Maxen Wledig, emperor of Rome, hunts, sleeps, and dreams of a journey to a castle where two youths play chess, a hoary man carves chessmen, and a fair maiden sits; he embraces her, then awakes in love. He pines for a week; the page, king of the Romans, tells him the people revile him. Maxen summons the wise men of Rome and says he has seen a dream.

In a dream the emperor beholds a maiden and loses life and spirit. His counsellors advise sending messengers for three years to seek the dream. After a fruitless year, the king of the Romans advises the emperor to hunt. Thirteen messengers journey over a mountain, cross to the Island of Britain, reach Snowdon, Aber Sain, and a castle, where they find two youths at chess, a hoary-headed man carving chessmen, and the maiden, whom they hail as Empress of Rome. She bids the emperor come to her. The emperor conquers Britain from Beli son of Manogan, finds Kynan and Adeon sons of Eudav, Eudav son of Caradawc, and the maiden, and weds her. She asks for Britain and three castles; Helen builds roads. Rome makes a new emperor; Maxen and the Britons, led by Kynan and Adeon, take Rome. Kynan stays in Armorica; the women's tongues are cut. Here the Dream of Maxen ends. Beli the Great's son Lludd rules Britain and rebuilds London; his brother Llevelys weds and rules France. Three plagues afflict Britain: the Coranians, a May-eve shriek, and vanishing provisions. Lludd consults Llevelys, who advises through a brass horn: charmed water against the Coranians, capturing fighting dragons in a cauldron of mead buried in a kistvaen, and watching food with cold water against a magician. Lludd destroys the Coranians, buries the dragons at Dinas Emreis, and overcomes the giant, who becomes his vassel. In Penllyn, Tegid Voel and Caridwen have children including ill-favoured Avagddu. Caridwen boils a cauldron of Inspiration, with Gwion Bach stirring and Morda tending fire. Three drops fall on Gwion, who gains foreknowledge and flees. Caridwen pursues through shape-changes: hare, greyhound, fish, otter, bird, hawk.

As she is about to stoop upon him, he fears death, drops into a heap of wheat, and becomes a grain; she becomes a black hen, finds and swallows him, then bears him nine months. Unable to kill him for his beauty, she wraps him in a leathern bag and casts him into the sea on the twenty-ninth of April. Gwyddno's weir yields a hundred pounds each May eve; his hapless son Elphin, granted the weir's drawing, finds only the bag. The weir-ward blames him; when opened, the boy's radiant brow appears, and Elphin names him Taliesin. Taliesin sings a Consolation to Elphin, then, questioned by Gwyddno, sings of his transformations. At Gwyddno's court, Taliesin declares he will profit Elphin more than the weir, and sings of water and God. Elphin gives the child to his wife; he thrives until age thirteen. Elphin visits his uncle Maelgwn Gwynedd at Dyganwy, where the court praises Maelgwn, his queen, and bards. Elphin boasts his wife virtuous and his bard superior, and is imprisoned. Maelgwn sends his son Rhun to test the wife; Taliesin dresses a maid as his mistress. Rhun drugs the maid and cuts off her finger bearing Elphin's ring. Shown the finger, Elphin gives three reasons it is not his wife's, and is imprisoned again. Taliesin tells his mistress he will free Elphin, sings a journey poem, and goes to Maelgwn's court, where he plays "Blerwm" so the bards do likewise. A squire strikes Heinin Vardd, who blames a spirit. Brought before the king, Taliesin sings "Primary chief bard am I to Elphin," then of freeing Elphin, and a riddle of a noxious creature.

A verse names three springs from the ocean, calls the bards blundering, and declares Taliesin chief of the bards of the west, who will loosen Elphin from the golden fetter. Another verse bids the rhyming bards be silent, names Taliesin a diviner who will liberate Elphin from the stony tower, and foretells a strange gold-haired creature from the sea marsh of Rhianedd bringing destruction on Maelgwn Gwynedd. A riddle-poem describes a strong creature from before the flood, ending that One Being prepared it by a blast to wreak vengeance on Maelgwn Gwynedd. As Taliesin sings near the door, a storm arises; the king, fearing the castle will fall, fetches Elphin, and Taliesin sings so the chains open from Elphin's feet. Taliesin sings praise of the Supreme, asking mead for Maelgwn and Elphin's liberation, then "The Excellence of the Bards," "The Reproof of the Bards" addressing Heinin, and "The Spite of the Bards" listing minstrels' faults. Having freed Elphin, protected his wife, and silenced the bards, Taliesin shows the wife's hand complete. He bids Elphin wager the king on a swifter horse; at Morva Rhiannedd, Taliesin gives a youth burnt holly twigs to strike the king's horses and drop his cap where his horse stumbles. Elphin's horse wins; digging there, they find a cauldron of gold, which Taliesin names Elphin's reward for taking him from the weir. The king asks Taliesin about man's creation, and he sings "One of the Four Pillars of Song," recounting Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel, tithing, Christ, and prophecies of Britain, then tells further prophecies.