ABOUT Scholars, manuscripts, mediaeval history, dating, 'author, Welsh Renaissance, mythological recnstruction, structural analysis, interlacing, literature and language, motifs and themes. Triads, poetry. OTHER INDEXES: Main Index A-Z * Mabinogi Arts * Quotes. See also Indexes Help about each Index; & the Mabinogi Bibliography.
ORDER Should appear in A-Z name order, if not click NAME at the top. For Timeline order click DATE. Tag words with the name help searches, select from list here below.
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*19thC *annwfn *character *coherent *critique guest *cwn annwfn *death *episode *gods *goddess *hunt *interweaving [guest’s] *journal *legal *mabinogion *magic *morality *myth *place *politics *pryderi cycle *pughe *romance *religion *ruler [Mabinogi] *status *social status *structure *style *three themes *trans *voice *welsh [language] *women
NAME Tags | DATE | DATA |
---|---|---|
Anthropological School | Anthropologists and ritualists ‘mind of primitive man’ fertility myth & ritual. Tylor/ Lang/ Frazer/ McCalloch (Jackson pp. 40-41) aka English School. | |
Anwyl | 1892 | Edward Anwyl became Professor of Welsh, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, and was later appointed Professor of Comparative Philology. 'Mabinogi' first dedicated study: 1897 (I & II), 1899 (III), 1901 (IV) ZCP first issue; place names; 3 Cycles. ‘Celtic Religion’ 1906, ‘Celtic Goddesses’ esp Epona. 1906-07. ‘Analyzed the structure and composition with characteristic insight and erudition’ (Ford, p. 1. n. 2) Brynley Roberts biography & bibliog. Anwyl article Cymm. 1968, vol 1. (Welsh) (Ford, p. 1. n. 2) |
Anwyl | 1897 | Contra Arnold: ‘used the stones of the Pedair Cainge for the purpose of building with them a highly elaborate superstructure’ 'Mabinogi' I, p. 278 |
Anwyl | 1899 | Caer Sidi, Kaer sidi ‘closely connected with the Dyfed legends’ (Anwyl III p. 132) ‘Kaer sidi’ poss tower Pryderi and Rhiannon entered [3] 'Mabinogi' III p. 130) cf. Pwyll, Taliesin] |
Anwyl *coherent *style | 1901 | Mabinogi as 'unified whole', skill of writer. 'Mabinogi' IV, p. 123. Quote |
Anwyl *magic *women | 1901 | Gwydion's ‘success in obtaining for Lleu a name, arms and a wife.’ [sic] ‘Llew's wife, out of flowers appears to have been one out of many successes [sic] in sorcery’ attr. Math hutlath. Three decrees Arianrhod cf. Culhwch’s stepmother. 'Mabinogi' IV, p. 128 |
Arberth *place *trans | Most trans. make Arberth ‘a’ or ‘one of' Pwyll's chief courts, not the single chief court. Ellis Mabinogion, p. ?); Jones, (1949) p. 4; Bollard, (2006) p. 19; Davies, (2008) p. 3) Ford: ‘the chief court’ of Dyfed. (Ford, (1977) p. 37 | |
Arberth *place | Location: in the present county of Cardigan’ (Rhys Lect V p. 498) 'the modern Narberth in Pembrokeshire; Arberth being the form of the name still in use among the Welsh speaking inhabitants of the district.’ Anwyl IV, p. 125. Town of Narberth in Dyfed [Pembs.] from yn Arberth, ‘in Arberth’. Bollard (2006) p. 19, sidenote, see more Quotes | |
Arberth *place *myth | Gorsedd: 'seats of supernatural power’ (Rhys Lect II p. 205, n. 191?) ‘hills and mounds played a special part in the religious observances of the Celts. (Ford, (1977) p. 35-36) | |
Arnold *19thC *status *politics | 1839 April 27 | Often quoted judgement re mediaeval Welsh storytellers as 'peasants' building 'huts' in ruins of past 'architecture'. Quote Colonial attitude, Englishman, used by Welsh scholars to support mythological broken 'remains'. (Part II, p. 61.) 'the medieval storyteller is pillaging (R.W. Intro. Guest p. 2) quoted WJG 1912, pp. 40-41, challenged p. 54 Quote. |
Arthur | Distinguishes legendary and historical personage. (Pughe Biog, 13, cont. to 18) No appearance in Mabinogi. (WJG 1912, p. 32) ‘absence of Arthur from some of the tales, and the different treatment of Arthur in those tales where his name is introduced, in fact, the antiquity of these stories can be gauged to some extent by their treatment of that personage.’ (Lloyd, p. 166) ‘Arthur is distinctly a Cymric hero, and his court is distinctly a Cymric court’ & more (Lloyd, p. 168) See more by Lloyd ref. Culhwch (Lloyd, pp. 227-30) | |
Bartrum *annwfn | 1993 | ’It is evident that Caer Siddi is a place in Annwn, or, accordng to Morris-Jones (p.238) and Loomis (p.148), another name for it.’ (Bartrum p. 101) |
Bartrum *place | 1993 | Caer Arianrhod: Humphrey Llwyd identified the site as a shoal about half a mile from the coast of Arfon in the parish of Clynnog, called in dialect Tregaranthrag, grid ref. SO 4254. (p. 87) |
Bartrum *character | 1993 | Caswallawn: Cassivelaunus: ref. 21,000 men with Gwenwynwyn and Gwanar sons of Lliaw(s) ap Nwyfre, and Arianrhod ferch Beli, their mother. (p. 124) |
Bartrum *character *gender | 1993 | Arianrhod, Gwydion ‘All these difficulties were overcome, however, by the skill of Gwydion.’ [sic] (p. 26) |
Bartrum *character *gender | 1993 | Arianrhod, incest Genealogy MSS. 15thC (ByA 26 in EWGT p.90) make Math the father. p. 26 |
Bollard *coherent *structure | 1974 | 'There is no incident or detail which remains isolated or superfluous in the Four Branches.' ('Structure' in Sullivan, p. 168) |
Bollard *coherent *structure | 1974 | 'a work that is both meaningful and artistically unified. The intricate structure' author's ' artistry' ('Structure' in Sullivan, p. 192) Quote |
Bollard *interweaving *structure | 1974 | 'The four branches' cf. 'decorative interlace designs form knots' … 'the reader might compare the events of one with those of another … The author expects his readers to keep in mind various themes, … a slight reference to similar previous occurrences interlaces them together' ('Structure' in Sullivan, p. 168) Quote |
Bollard *three themes | 1974 | 'The three major themes… three of the functions of society which bind together, or separate, various groups… loosely termed Friendships, Marriages and Feuds.' ('Structure' in Sullivan, p. 168) Quote |
Bollard *annwfn *magic | 2006 | 'From its etymology another world, either beneath the Earth accessed through mounds, hills, caves, or lakes; or one ‘coterminous with our own world… hidden and reached in magical and mysterious ways.’ (p. 20, sidenote) ‘these tales are thoroughly imbued with the magical and otherworldly’ (p. 9) |
Davies Edward *19thC | 1804 | Celtic Researches Celtic; biblical, classical canon. Derives from Pughe & Lhuyd. Contents (abbr.) Essay 1 (pp 1-115) Biblical origins of language. /Essay 2 (pp 116– 344) Origins of Celtae & Druidism; tribes, language, literacy, alphabet. /Essay 3 Celtic Language, primitive origins, biblical (pp. 345-547) /Appendix -p. 561. |
Davies Edward *19thC | 1804 | Annwfn as place, condition of the dead Celtic Researches p. 175; Cwn Annwfn, 'hell-hounds', & Plant Annwfn 'children of the deep, certain wandering spirits.’ quoted Pughe, Cambro-Brit. Vol. 2, No. 18, Feb., 1821, p. 272. Quotes |
Davies, Sioned *19thC *status *guest critique | 2004 | 'It is certainly no exaggeration to claim that, as a direct result of Guest’s translation, medieval Welsh literature was placed on the European stage.' ('Guest', p. 161) |
Davies, Sioned *19thC *guest critique | 2004 | 'such critics seem to want it both ways' trans. not 'scholarly', Guest's fault; but she owed the 'excellent' trans. to Welsh scholars. ('Guest', p. 167; also see White, ‘Crimes’, (1995), p. 247.) Quote |
Ellis & Lloyd *annwfn | 1929 | Annwfn ‘originally conceived of as the abode of the gods’ later Abode of Death. (p. 3) Welsh Hades, the abode of the dead. (p. 7, n. 15) Wulliams review critique. Quote |
Ellis & Lloyd *annwfn | 1929 | Chastity: extreme hospitality – offer of wife. (Ellis p.7-8. n. 17) Arawn’s offer rejected, expresses the highest chivalric ideal. It shows such an ideal was active in Wales long before the Norman import. (Ellis p.11, n. 32) |
Ellis & Lloyd *critique Guest | 1929 | Guest's project for 'her own children … bowdlerised' (p. viii) Quote |
Ellis & Lloyd *legal | 1929 | amod [4] Contract made without sureties. (Ellis p. 103, n. 12) Gwydion & Pryderi; cf. cyfnewid exchange, sale. (Ellis p.104, n.14) |
Ellis & Lloyd *legal *trans | 1929 | sarhaed (Ellis p.7, n. 14) |
Ellis & Lloyd *legal *politics *trans | 1929 | gwyrda: A prince was not an arbitrary ruler. The gwyrda were the guardians of custom, and the stories often mention taking counsel. Ellis (1929) p.31.n. 79 |
Ellis & Lloyd *legal *trans | 1929 | kadarn avngwr y gedymdeithias a diffleis a geueis y yn gedymdeith Lit. ‘strong of one man for his companionship and secure did I obtain as a companion.’ Prob. kadarn avngwr is a lost idiom. Ref. Arawn comment on Pwyll. (Ellis 15, n. 40) |
Ellis & Lloyd *character | 1929 | Rhiannon, Gwawl, small bag. Magic Bag common to Welsh story, ‘fascinating process of development, which deserves a special monograph, it grew into the myth of the Holy Grail.’ (p.24, n. 65) Ellis supports Loth, the retinue is cast into the bag, as fantasy event & language both fit. (p. 27. n. 68) |
Ellis & Lloyd *character | 1929 | Gwawl, badger-in-the-bag: The game persisted into the late Middle Ages though no one knows its precise nature. cf. Efnisien’s treatment of warriors in bags. (p.27, n. 69) |
Ellis & Lloyd *legal | 1929 | Gwawl, badger-in-the-bag: A bond. Trans. Poss. 'leave him in the bag (until he promises) to give to all for you.' (p. 28, n.70) |
Ellis & Lloyd *moral | 1929 | Math [4]: ’barbaric [tale] because the teller wished it to be so. (p.99) |
Episodes *episode | 'The Assembly of Bran'; 'The Avenging od the Blow to Branwen'; 'The Singing of the Birds of Rhiannon'. See Ford (1977) p. 3. | |
Ferguson, Anne Marie *Arts *Magic | 2006 | 'Mystic realism' an 'organic reality, seen … an imaginative, poetic lens.' Artist, Llewelyn Tarot, Arawn, Rhiannon, Bendigeidfran, Gwydion, Lleu images. Quote Source |
Ford *annwfn | 1977 | Movement between here and Annwfn is easy, without markers. Pwyll, cwn anwwfn. ‘Adventures in the Otherworld are common enough in romance, but in mediaeval Celtic literature they play a large role.’ Contrasts the ‘world of ordinary mortals’ but ‘often hard to disttinguish … between the two.’ Fourth Branch no opposition of worlds.(1977, p. 35) cf. Lloyd (1911) p. 243. Quote |
Ford *episode *structure | 1977 | 'The Assembly of Bran'; 'The Avenging od the Blow to Branwen'. ‘smaller quasi-independent episodes’ … ‘part of a storehouse of tradition on which story-tellers and poets could draw’ See LORE. (p. 3) |
Ford *place *myth *structure | 1977 | Compares Arberth [1] to rock of Harlech [4] where ‘the action of the tale begins, and the site of the Otherworld feast.’ [3] Origin of ’disappearance of every living thing from the land’ & ’the place where Manawydan secures the restoration of Life and prosperity of Dyfed’ (p. 36) |
Ford *character | 1977 | [3] Rhiannon, bag, language. 'can never be filled except by recitation of a special formula’ (p. 36) |
Ford *character | 1977 | [3] Rhiannon, asses' collar. Juvenal, Minucius Felix refer mules, asses. (p. 5)also Winkle: Minucius asses/ Epona, links to Isis (2015 p. 10, 11) |
Ford *place *myth *structure | 1977 | Hanes Taliesin Taliesin claims in a poem he was three times in the ‘prison of Arianrhod’. (p. 36) cf. Caer Arianrhod. |
Ford *structure | 1977 | Cyfranc Caseg a’r Mab ‘The Adventure of the Mare and the Boy,’ Detailed example of lore. (Ford, pp. 3-14) Separate tale, Gwent mirrors Arberth, Rhiannon = mare. A tale in ‘separate existence and perhaps known independently under that name’, from Teyrnon’s reference with these words, at Arberth. Continuity into Third Branch. ‘one of the most significant narratives in the tradition.’ (p. 4) Notes both boy and colt taken to Arberth (p. 6) |
Gruffydd, William J.\\ | see WJG | |
Guest *19thC *journal *status | 1834 est. | She speaks of her love of ' the old Legends and Romances' as equally worthy as the Classiccs. Quote |
Guest *19thC *journal *status *mabinogion | 1835 | Guest meets the English Elijah Waring. She ponders making a collection of legends of Wales. (S.Davies, 'Guest', p. 102)Quote |
Guest *19thC *status *mabinogion *romance | 1838 | ‘the Cymric nation … has strong claims to be considered the cradle of European Romance' (Everyman ed. 1906, Introduction, p. xxiii) |
Guest *19thC *journal *Welsh | 1838 Jan 6 | She found the work difficult 'being so little conversant with the Welsh' (S.Davies, 'Guest', p. 112) |
Guest *19thC *journal *politics | 1839 April 27 | Her arrogance & perfectionism to be the best, attitude to 'trade'. (S.Davies, 'Guest', p. 170) Quote |
Gwyn ap Nudd *god *journal *politics | Her arrogance & perfectionism to be the best, attitude to 'trade'. (S.Davies, 'Guest', p. 170) Quote | |
Hades *annwfn | Pughe quotes E. Davies 'abode of the dead' 1804. Guest ‘Lower Regions’(p. 289, Endn. p. 14.) Rhys, numerous refs (Rhys 1886) Anwyl I (p. 280) WJG (1912), p.59-60, n. 2) cf. Homeric Question (1912, p. 53) Homer, Ovid (1912) p. 43. 'as bees came from heaven (1912) p. 59-60, n.2) Welsh Hades, the abode of the dead. Ellis (1929) p. 7, n. 15. I.Williams crit. The Celtic Hades, Jones (1949) n. p. 4) See Dr. John DAVIES of Mallwyd, earliest modern commentator,remarks re Chimaera.Quote | |
Hemming (Hooker) *coherent *structure | 1995 | ‘the Mabinogi as it stands is a coherent and logical piece of work’ and ‘the meaning may be extracted only through examining the narrative structure.' (p. 14) |
Jones & Jones *status | 1948 | Implicitly approves Arnold, but the remains left to us are all the more precious; alludes Horace. (p. xviii) Quote |
Jones & Jones *critique Guest | 1948 | Guest's text is ‘but a paraphrase’ and ‘not the beauties of the original.' (pp. 5-6) Quote |
Jones & Jones *character | 1948 | ‘Goewin and her child disappears once married; it is Arianrhod who is delivered of the fateful child not the king, and who labours to prevent the working out of the prophecy. [sic mess] ‘Math’s destiny is nowhere mentioned, and Arhanrod’s hostility is rationalised to shame at his illegitimate birth and incestuous begetting.’ Lleu’s killing of Goronwy is a substitute for killing his grandfather.’ p. xvi. [Arianrhod] |
Koch, John, et all. *Encyclopaedia | 2006 | Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. (5 Volumes) 5 vols, Vol. I Contents.Contents Much available googlebooks |
Lloyd, E.J. *annwfn | 1911 | ‘a counterpart of this world, and that it had countries and kingdoms under the rule of different kings, … The inhabitants of Annwn are described as having the same pursuits as the dwellers of the upper world,’p. 243. ‘This lower world was not always regarded as being on the same plane and of the same nature; for instance, Caer Aranrhod is regarded as an island’ and in Culhwch Arthur goes there by expedition to the north.' [Arianrhod] (p. 244) ‘With the migration southwards, the North became unfamiliar country, and gradually stories were woven concerning the strange and weird inhabitants of that region, and the country of Caledonia came in time to be regarded as the land of Annwn.’ (p. 170) Not a place of the dead cf. LLeu as eagle. (p. 244)‘the Celtic paradise, whose inhabitants possess a higher civilisation, and whence come the blessings of this world.’ Free access between worlds, mortals 'occasional' p. 243. cf. Ford (1977) p. 35. Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *coherent *pryderi cycle *structure *style | 1911 | 'Mabinogion as Literature' requires study of structures and formation. Complete, coherent. Pryderi Cycle. (p. 171) cf. Arnold, 1867. Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *mabinogion *status *gods *goddess *style | 1911 | Mabinogion as 'literary production', good plot, ' finished and elegant style'. Celtic thought, gods. Influence on literature of Europe. (p. 248) Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *annwfn | 1911 | Arawn, son of Cynvarch, whom Geoffrey connects with the North. (Lloyd, p. 170) |
Lloyd, E.J. *mabinogion | 1911 | Mabinogion 'artificial' name refers to Guest's collection, has become a convenience. Strictly it means the Four Branches. (p. 165) Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *magic *gods *goddess *annwfn | 1911 | 'the supernatural is treated as the most natural thing in the world.' (p. 164) 'Magic is the chief machinery of the stories …'(p. 222). See Quote Possibly ‘Gwydion and Math were originally inhabitants of Annwn, just like Arawn, as they are evidently gods who have deteriorated into magicians, and the same may be true of Ysbyddaden Ben Cawr.’ (p. 244) |
Lloyd, E.J. *character | 1911 | Pryderi & Manawydan contrasted. Pryderi 'Celtic .. impulsive and hot-tempered'. Manawydan 'cautious and wary … cunning … prudent'. Ref. saddlers and shoemakers.(pp. 234-35) Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *character | 1911 | Gwawl, badger-in-the-bag: Poss ‘elements of paganism’ to explain (p. 243) |
Lloyd, E.J. *character | 1911 | Rhiannon & Branwen contrasted. Rhiannon 'perfect lady' suffers in silence. Branwen 'has no scruple' sending for aid, yet suffers less. (p. 235) Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *voice *women | 1911 | 'Great deference is paid to women, their opinion is respected, and their advice sought.' (p. 234) Quote |
Lloyd, E.J. *voice *women | 1911 | 'conversational power is repeatedly emphasised' Pryderi praises Rhiannon's skill to Manawydan. (p. 236) Quote |
Lhuyd Edward aka Llwyd | 1707 | 'Libellus autem sic inscriptus fabulosas quasdam Historiolas' ('fabulous stories') Edward Lhuyd, Archaeologia Britannica, (1707), p. 262. Lists, profiles each Branch as P.I, P.II etc, with initial words & ending words. Quote Discovery of the Celtic family of languages. |
Loomis, Roger *annwfn | 1956 | Preiddu Annwfn ‘a visit by sea to Annwn by Arthur, Taliesin and others’ mentioning Pwyll and his son, Pryderi, a captive Gwair in Caer Siddi, other fortresses, a cauldron, a speckled ox. (Wales and the Arthurian Legend p. 141) porth uffern, ‘the gateway to hell’ shows Christian influence. (p.140) |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *status | 1977 | Mac Cana considers Arnold’s instincts in Celtic lit. as ‘sure’ notes Arnold’s opinion of ‘the Celt’ lacking patience for depth and structure which shapes great works of literature. (p. 32) |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *annwfn | 1977 | Preiddu Annwfn ‘“I sang before the sons of Ebyr Henfelen” evidently a name for the Otherworld/ “I was with Brân in Ireland” “I saw when Morddwyd Tyllon (Pierced Thigh) was slain” which clearly alludes to thehappy Otherworld presided over by Brân and Manawydan’ (p. 31) |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *structure | 1977 | The mound of Arberth passage prefaces ‘the appearance of the divine Rhiannon’ Mac Cana (p. 34) |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *gender *legal | 1977 | Rhiannon, bag: strategy reduced to ‘a ruse’ (p. 25 paraphrase) |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *gender | 1977 | Arianrhod & Gwydion ‘by his cunning and magic circumvents her interdiction and in particular how he creates a wife [sic] for Lleu of the flowers of the field’ (p. 28) in paraphrase. |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *gender | 1977 | Arianrhod: ‘required to step over a wand … she fails [sic] dismally’ p. 28 |
Mac Cana, Proinsias *gender | 1977 | Dylan as footholder virgin companion, not Goewin; Lewis Mon poem, cywyd period. (p. 31) |
Owen Aneirin *19thC *romance *mabinogion | 1830 Sept 4 | Pughe's son about the Mabinogion completed, his father's illness. Letter to to A. J. Johnes) Quotes |
Parker Will *annwfn *myth | 2006 | Indigenous Underworld |
PKM | 1930 | see Williams, Ifor |
Pughe *19thC *romance | 1802 Jan. 21 | Society of Antiquaries, London, presents paper on 'The Mabinogion, or Juvenile Amusements' as the origin of romance writing in Europe. (Publ. 1808, p. 219) Quote |
Pughe *19thC *annwfn | 1803 | lower world Biog. (1803) p. 174. ‘popularly … the Infernal Region, but which truly seems to have been some part of the torrid zone,’ across the ocean. [Equatorial region] 'Havgan [Hafgan] Summershine, king of the Unknown World' Entry 'Pwyll' Biog. p. 289. |
Pughe *19thC *place | 1803 | Caer Arianrhod: Residence of Arianrhod, Circle of the Silver Wheel, constellation Corona Borealis. (Biog. pp. 11-12) cf. Llys Don, Court of Don, constellation of Cassiopeia. (Biog. p. 90) Caer Gwdion is a common epithet for the galaxy. (Biog. p. 155) |
Pughe *19thC *magic | 1804 | Dyfed 'often called Guild yr Hud, or the Country of Enchantment.’ Biog. Entry: Pryderi, p. 288. Aron, Urien and Llew bros. Northumbria Biog. p. 10. |
Pughe *19thC *annwfn | 1820 | ‘Annwn means, literally, a bottomless gulf’(Cambro-Briton vol. I (1820) p. 124) |
Pughe *19thC *annwfn | 1821 | 'Dr. Davies, in his Dictionary, explains it also to mean the Antipodes.’ ‘The Irish are said to have, anciently, called their country by the name of Annun, or Annan.’ Cambrian Register Vol. 2, No. 18, (Feb., 1821), p. 272. |
Pughe *19thC *annwfn | 1820 | Arawn 'Silver-tongued King' Cambrian Register, Vol. 2, No. 18, (Feb., 1821), p. 272). ’Aron and Pasgen, in the Ancient Mythology, were two kings of the invisible world. (Pughe Biog. p. 12) |
Pughe *19thC *mabinogion | 1834 May 24 | Pughe writes with evident painful difficulty in his illness. Letter to A. J. Johnes. (Marion Henry Jones, 'The Letters of Arthur James Johnes', BLWJ (1958) pp. 256-57) Quotes |
Religion *religion | Secular text, with few exceptions. Marriage = witnesses at feasts, no ceremony [1,2,3]. Baptism 'as it was in those days' Gwri [1], Blodeuedd [4]. Branwen says 'Alas, Son of God' as she dies [2]. Manawydan meets priest, bishop (Llwyd disguised) [3]. Spear forged during Mass on Sundays, Lleu [4]. Speakers swear by God. | |
Rhys *19thC *annwfn | 1888 | ‘the ancient idea which made of the northern part of this island a sort of Hades and abode of the departed.' (Lect. IV) ‘the powers of the other world’Lect. IV p. 337 |
Rhys *19thC *character *gender | 1888 | Incest: ‘how Gwydion thrice [sic] thwarted his mistress, Arianrhod, with regard to a son of theirs whom she wished to disown.’ Lect. p. 236. 'Gwydion brought his own mistress to Mâth, namely, Arianrhod, daughter of Mâth's sister Dôn’ (Lect. p. 308. Also p. 284 |
Trioedd 'Triads' *Triad *character | See Triad essay. 14 Triads relate to Mabinogi plus one implicit in Mabinogi text ('rieni' [2]). Info. in them typically brief, as if for memory aid. Classic study: Rachel Bromwich, Trioedd Ynys Prydain: The Welsh Triads (1961, many reprints, 2006 new ed.) Some Triad info. conflicts with Mabinogi. Characters: Arianrhod (35, 78), Bendigeidfran (37), Branwen (Implicit, 53, 95), Caradawc (13), Casallawn (35, 38), Goronwy (30), Gwydion (28), Lleu (67), (Mabon, 52), Manawydan (8, 67), Math (27, 28), Pendaran (26), Pryderi (26), Pwyll (26). | |
Triad 8 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [3] Tri Lledyf 6nben Enys Prydein, 'Three Prostrate (‘Humble’) Chieftains of the Island of Britain' incl. Manawydan (& Llywarch the Old, Gwgon Gwron). (TYP 'Early Version' p. 15-16) 'lledyf various trans. WJG `passive' (Rhiannon, p. 82) |
Triad 13 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [2] Tri Chynweissyat Enys Prydein, ‘Three Chief Officers/ (Stewards) of …’ incl. Caradawc mab Bran. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 25 -27) |
Triad 16 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | Tri gwrduagla6c Enys Prydein, ‘Three Powerful Shepherds of …’ incl. Pryder (=Care) mab Dolor (=Grief) of Deira and Bernicia. Bromwich: ecclesiastic 'shepherds', location wrong for Mab. Pryderi. Poss. pair 26. (TYP 'Early Version' p.31) |
Triad 26 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Tri Gwrdueichyat Enys Prydein, 'Three Powerful Swineherds of …'. Drystan, Pryderi/ Coll. Longest, most informative Triad, later versions promote Pryderi. Cites Pwyll, Pendaran, Glyn Cuch, seven pigs. Coll, Henwen sow parallels. TYP extensive notes. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 50– 58) |
Triad 27 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Tri Lleturitha6c, ‘Three Enchanters’, alt. form Math. [4] (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 59-60) |
Triad 28 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Teir Prif Hut …, 'Three Great Enchantments …’ refers to hut 'magic' which Math taught to Gwydion. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 61-62) |
Triad 30 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Tri Anyweir Deulu …, 'Three Faithless War-Bands …’ incl. Goronwy's warband, who refused to take his place for Lleu's vengeance. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 66-69) |
Triad 35 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [3, 4] Tri Chyuor …, 'Three Levies …’ incl. Caswallawn, & Arianrhod (Beli their mother). (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 81-89) |
Triad 37 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [2] Tri Chud a Thri Datcud …, ‘Three Concealments/ Three Disclosures …’ relates to the Head of Bendigeidfran, son of Llyr. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 94-102) |
Triad 38 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [3, 4] Tri Rodediciuarch …, ‘Three Bestowed Horses …’ incl. owners: Caswallawn/ Lleu. (TYP 'Early Version' pp. 103-104) |
Triad 52 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | Tri goruchel garcharawr ynys prydein, ‘Three Exalted Prisoners of the Island of Britain’ Llyr lledyeith. a mabon uab modron. a geir uab geiryoed. ‘Llyr Half-Speech, and Mabon son of Modron, and Gwair son of Geirioedd.' Mabon has been linked to Pryderi. (TYP 'Ll. Gwyn, Coch MSS' pp. 146-49) |
Triad 53 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [2] Teir Gwith Baluawt …, ‘Three Sinister (ill-omened) Hard Slaps’. Incl. Matholwch the Irish king striking Branwen daughter of Llyr. (TYP 'Ll. Gwyn, Coch MSS' pp. 146-49) |
Triad 67 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [3, 4] Tri Eur Gryd …, ‘Three Noble (lit. Golden) Shoemakers’. Caswallawn fab Beli – Rome, Fflur/ Manawydan fab Llyr, when the Enchantment was on Dyfed/ Lleu Law Gyffes ‘Skilful Hand’, when he and Gwydion were seeking a name and arms from his mother Aranrhod. (TYP 'Ll. Gwyn, Coch MSS' pp. 185-88) |
Triad 78 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Teir Gwenriein …, 'Three fair (Royal) Ladies'. Arianrhod one of the ‘Three fair maidens’ of Ynys Prydain' (TYP, 'Later MSS', p. 208) Famous beauty (Taliesin 36, 14-15). Noted by Pughe, as 'immaculate ladies' Biog., p. 12 |
Triad 95 *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [4] Tair Gwledd Anfeidrol …, 'Three People whose heart broke from Sorrow', relates to Branwen ferch Llyr/ Caradog ab Bran. (TYP, 'Later MSS', p. 242) |
Triad (Implicit) *Triad | 1961 (2006) | [2] Tryded Prif Rieni Ynys Prydein, 'Three Chief/ First ladies/ ancestresses of Britain', relates to Branwen ferch Llyr, an accolade spoken by Matholwch her new husband. (TYP ???) |
Valente *women *goddess | 1986 | 'Rhiannon is a mother, and her son is in danger of his life; there is nothing odd in her behavior, nothing impulsive' humanity vs. goddess (p. 6) Quote |
Valente *women *voice *character | 1986 | Rhiannon: 'Speech is as important a factor in the analysis of her character as is her golden costume or the fact that she rides a supernatural horse.' (p. 46) |
Valente *women *voice *character | 1986 | ''I would now like to turn to the women, … in their own words' (p. 91. Cites Bollard, 'Structure' p. 132) Quote |
Williams Ifor *annwfn | 1930 | pp.99-101 |
Williams Ifor *character | 1931 | [4] 'Arianrhod oedd gariad-ferch i Fathon fab Mathonwy, hen frenin Gwynedd.’[Arianrhod was the love-child/ daughter of Mathon son of Mathonwy, former king of Gwynedd’, my trans.] Gwyneddon 3, ed. Ifor Williams, n. to p.82 line 2. [Would remove incest with Gwydion] |
WJG *annwfn | 1912 | Annwfn ‘land of departed spirits’ Located ‘on the boundaries of Dyfed' ((1912) p. 50) ‘rape of the swine’ tracing many placenames 1912, p. 59) |
WJG *character | 1928 | [4] Tudur Aled and Lewys Môn end 15thC, imply Math jealously guarded Arianrhod’s virginity: variant tale. Math, pp. 192 - 4; also on Arianrhod pp. 136-8. 'The King and his Prophesied Death' motif. |
WJG *character | 1928 | [4]Arianrhod: ‘something’ a placenta Math, p. 232 |