The Four Branches of the Mabinogi

The Four Branches of the Mabinogi, four distinct but linked Welsh narratives compiled some time between the latter half of the 11th century and the early 13th century. Believed to be the work of a single redactor, the Four Branches have deep, often clearly visible roots in Celtic myth and folklore, while at the same time the courtly settings and generally courteous behaviour of the characters—quite distinct from the frequently unvarnished ferocity of Irish saga—are a link to the romances of Chrétien de Troyes. Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed (“Pwyll Prince of Dyfed”) describes Pwyll’s wooing of a fairy princess, Rhiannon, and Rhiannon’s loss and recovery of their child Pryderi, whom she is falsely accused of murdering after he is supernaturally abducted on the night of his birth. Branwen ferch Llŷr (“Branwen Daughter of Llŷr”) relates the marriage of Branwen, sister of Brân the Blessed, king of Britain, to Matholwch, the king of Ireland, and the treacherous acts of Efnisien, Brân’s half brother, which result in a devastating war between Ireland and Britain from which only Branwen, the wounded Brân, and seven other men escape alive back to Wales. Manawydan fab Llŷr (“Manawydan Son of Llŷr”) comprises the further adventures of two of the escapees, Manawydan (Brân and Branwen’s brother) and Pryderi, who with his wife, Cigfa, and mother, Rhiannon, combat an enchantment placed over Pryderi’s realm. Math fab Mathonwy (“Math Son of Mathonwy”) is a complex tale focusing on Math, a prince of northern Wales, his nephew Gwydion, and Gwydion’s nephew Lleu Llaw Gyffes (“Lleu Skilled Hand”); among many other events, Gwydion’s magic and duplicity lead to the death of Pryderi. As the only character to appear in all four of the tales, Pryderi gives them a certain loose unity. See also Mabinogion.