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The Mabinogi Index

ABOUT Characters, their society, landscape, mythology, magic, laws, and morality. Also includes relevant entries on other Welsh tales, Welsh words and their meanings, Triads, poetry, motifs, and the most important Mabinogi scholars and theories.
INDEXES: Main Index A-Z * Mabinogi Arts * Scholars & Theories * Quotes. See also Indexes Help for more about each Index, and the Mabinogi Bibliography.

NameNotes
Aber Henfelen[2] Forbidden door looks out over it, Seven Survivors in Gwales hall. Ifor Williams suggests the sea between Wales and Cornwall.
AberffrawBranwen's wedding. Residence of the princes of Gwynedd from 843 [Roderick the Great] – 1282 [Llewelyn the Last]. (Guest, p. 293, Endn. to p. 369)
AbermenaiEstuary of the Menai, separating Môn (Anglesey) from mainland Gwynedd.
Abode of the DeadTheory re Annwfn, or Otherworld. Edward Davies Celtic Researches (1804) Elizabeth Lloyd (1911) disagrees. WJG (1912) agrees. Ellis (1929) agrees 'Hades'. Ifor Williams review Ellis critiques.
Abode of the GodsEarly view of Annwfn, or Otherworld, later changed to Abode of the Dead. Ellis (1929)
Adar RhiannonBirds. [2] Enchanters at trancelike feast, Harlech. Seven Survvors after Irish War, cf. Culhwch numbered three.
adawafNo initial 'g' in adawaf. The sense is not ‘promise’ but ‘allow, permit.’ Ref. Rhiannon’s ownership of the feast. (Ellis p.25, n.66)
Adventure of the Mare and the BoyThe teyrnon/ Gwent episode as a separate and mirror tale [1], Ford, 1977. See Cyfranc Caseg a’r Mab
aillt[3]N. Welsh. – serf, taeog S. Welsh. The Welsh as hunters felt contempt for town dwellers so called them serfs. (Ellis p. 81, n..9) cf. Pryderi's contempt for the craftsmen.
AlbanScotland, one of the three realms of Ynys Prydain, the Isles of Britain together with Cymru/ Cymry (Wales), and Lloegres (England). See Britain.
Amaethon mab DonBrother of Gwydion, farmer, in Culhwch & Triad; in Cad Goddeu poem as Amathaon ap Dôn who stole a roebuck from Arawn and fought him.
amod[4] Contract made without sureties. (Ellis p. 103, n. 12) Gwydion & Pryderi; cf. cyfnewid exchange, sale. (Ellis p.104, n.14)
anasawd WB. gosked RB. Identical. Ref. shapeshift Arawn. (Ellis p. 8, n. 18)
anawybotIgnorance. Regarded as serious discourtesy in mediaeval Wales, (Ellis p.6. n.12) i.e. not knowing how to conduct oneself in a given situation. (C.J.)]
Aneurin6thC attr. Y Gododdin poem. Older parts prob. from a lost Old Welsh MS., c. 9thC, poss. oral transmission from Aneirin himself 6thC. In ‘MS. Llyfr Aneirin’, c. 1250, Cardiff Public Library. (Bartrum pp. 17-18; Williams’ Canu, and Jackson trans. 1969.)
AnimalsBirds (Starling [2], Adar Rhiannon [2], Eagle [4], Hawks [1] Owl [4]). Horse (Rhiannon's courtship chase [1], Teyrnon's mare, foal/ colt [1], Matholwch's horses [2], Gwydion's fake horses [4]). Dogs (Cwn Annwfn, Pwyll's hounds, staghound bitch and puppies, [1] Pryderi's hounds [3], Gwydion's fake hounds [4]). Mice (Llwyd's shapeshifted mice, Mouse Lady [3]). Ox, donkey (asses' collar [3]), billy goat [4]. Pigs (Boar leads to tower [3], Gift pigs from Annwfn [4], Boar & Sow shapeshift, son, Sow leads Gwydion to Lleu [4]). Stag [1] Stag & Hind shapeshift, son [4]. Wolf, she wolf shapeshift, son [4]. Lloyd considers ‘animals are regarded as men's friends' (p. 234) but it seems a mixed situation.
Anwyl, Edward1897-1912 First exclusively Mabinogi analysis (1897-1901) Myth., Lit. 3 Cycles. See his protegee E.J.Lloyd in Quotes
AnnunFemale. Saint, Pughe, Biog. p.10. Handmaid of St.Madrun. See Madrun ferch Gwrthefyr. (Bartrum p. 20, with several male Annun from genealogies, following)
Annwfnalso Annwn. [1, 4] Otherworld, other land, wealthy & idealised, assoc. enchantment. Arawn & Hafgan named kings. Pwyll prince of Dyfed stays there for a year of adventure, winning the title Penn Annwfn, Chief /Head of Annwfn. Rich gifts exchanged to demonstrate alliance, horses, hounds, hawks, treasues. Annwfn gifted pigs lead to the death of Pryderi. Annwfn location uncertain or mutiple: poss. land near, or within/ under Dyfed; poss. Iwerddun /Ireland; poss. an island; poss. Wessex. Etym. dwfn 'deep' thus Underworld.
Annwfn accessPoss. for mortals to access occasionally cf. Pwyll. Annwfn people also come here, cf. Arawn. Lloyd (1911) p. 243. Ford similar, (1977) p. 35.
AnnwfnEtym. dwfn 'deep' thus Underworld.
ArawnMale. [1] King of Annwfn, enchanter, shapeshifts identity with Pwyll, who kills the rival Annwfn king Hafgan. Pwyll is acclaimed Penn Annwfn, Head/ Chief of Annwfn. Arawn becomes allied friend of Dyfed, exchanging rich gifts: horses, hounds, hawks, treasure. Special pigs gifted lead to the death of Pryderi, Pwyll's son.
Arberth[1,3] Main location of Rhiannon's tales, with two husbands. Priflys, a 'chief court' of Dyfed. Two poss. locations identified: SE Dyfed where main trade routes cross, modern Narberth; NW Dyfed boundary nr. Cardigan. Two poss. locations: S. modern Narberth, N. Nant Arberth stream nr. Cardigan. See Gorsedd Arberth.
Arianrhod ferch DônFemale. [4] aka Aranrhod. Gwynedd. Dishonored by brother Gwydion & uncle Math, she rejects her two children. In conflict with Gwydion she lays 3 fateful bans on her son Lleu, his fosterling: no name, no arms, no human wife. Gwydion tricks her on the first two, but his constructed 'wife' causes Lleu's death.
Assembly of the Head[2] A semi-independent tale (episode) explicitly titled at the close of the Second Branch. Bendigeidfran prophesies the Seven Survivors of the Irish War will take his decapitated, living head, providing them good company, to Llundain, London. They will bury it to become a guardian of Britain. On the way they will stop twice for long feasting retreats (7 yrs & 80 yrs) at Harlech, then Gwales.
AttendantsMale. Boys & two horsemen help Pwyll dress at Annwfn court. See also Maids (4 groups).
Avallon AvalonArthurian Romance name for an Otherworld or Elysium, cf. Annwfn. Geoffrey of Monmouth: ‘Insula Auallonis’ thus an island. Also Roman authors, 12thC Glastonvury tourism.
Badger-in-the-Bag[1] Violent game played by Pwyll's men on Gwawl, trapped in Rhiannon's power bag. Gwawl is given a blow with foot or stick; cf. Gorsedd Arberth prophecy. He is thus coerced to surrender rights to Rhiannon, vengeance, and pay for the second wedding feast.
Baptism[1,4] Most babies are baptised 'in the way it was done then' (Gwri, Blodeuedd), implying by pre-Christian custom. It appears to be a naming ceremony. Gwri/ Pryderi is baptised. Gwern son of Branwen is not (not explicitly) just 'named'. The children of Llassar & Cymidei are not. The three sons of Gwydion are, but not his foster son Lleu, presumably due to his mother's mandate against him. Blodeuedd is, perhaps to make her more humanoid.
BardsPwyll prompted by Rhiannon gives largesse to minstrels the morning of his wedding. [1] See Storytellers.
Bendigeidfran fab LlŷrMale. [2] King of all Britain, avenges sister Branwen via Irish War. After death becomes guardian of Britain. Nephew Gweir killed by Efnysien. Son Caradawc killed by Caswallon.
Birds[2,4] Adar Rhiannon [2]. Hawks; Starling; Wren; Eagle [4].
BishopMale. [3] Dyfed. Llwyd's third, last disguise as Bishop to negotiate his Mouse Lady's freedom from Manawydan.
BleiddwnMale. [4] Gwynedd. Son of Gwydion & Gilfaethwy as wolves, adopted by Mâth, baptised.
BlodeueddFemale. [4] Gwynedd. Non-human (enchanted) wife of Lleu, constructed of meadow flowers; unfaithful, plots his death. Gwydion's vengeance transforms her to an owl.
BoarPig. [3,4] Pryderi & Manawydan, hunting, lured to tower trap by white boar. Math shapeshifts Gwydion & Gilfaethwy as boar & sow, bear son Hychdin Hir. See Pigs of Annwfn; Sow.
Bollard, John K.1974- Intricate unified literature paradigm, structural analysis, 3 themes (S)
BrânSee Bendigeidfran
Branwen ferch LlŷrFemale. [2] High ranking princess of Britain, abused queen of Ireland, husband Matholwch. Brother Bendigeidfran avenges her in the Irish War. She is peacemaker, dies of grief and guilt.
Breeze, Andrew1997- Woman author theory, political analysis. Medieval Welsh Literature
BritainYnys Prydain, the Isles of Britain, are three realms: Cymru/ Cymry (Wales), Lloegres (England), and Alban (Scotland). In the Mabinogi this is a political unity. It is however a legend, not historically recorded other than a slight poss. traceable to Stonehenge. Bendigeidfran son of Llyr is king of Britain, usurped by Caswallawn. Pryderi does homage to him for Dyfed.
CaerTower, fort.
Bromwich, Rachel1954-2006 Trioedd, 'Triads' 1969 Exc. Mabinogi data Pughe Guest biog (S)
Caer Arianrhod[4] Residence of Arianrhod, assoc. Circle of the Silver Wheel, constellation Corona Borealis. (Pughe, Biog. 1803) Taliesin claimed he was three times in the prison of Arainrhod. Humphrey Llwyd identified the site as a shoal about half a mile from the coast of Arfon in the parish of Clynnog.
Caer Seint[2] One of Bendigeidfan's assembly sites, opposite Môn, Anglesey.
Caer Sidi Caer fort, tower. Enchanted tower, prob. in Annwfn. Pwyll, Pryderi linked in Taliesin poem but how is unclear.
Caradawc fab BendigeifranMale. [2] Britain. Son of Bendigeifran, chief of the seven stewards left to guard the land of Britain during the Irish War. He died of grief due to Caswallon's violence in murdering the other six.
casegmare (GPC)
CaswallonMale. [2,3] No clear genealogy. Usurper of Britain during Irish War, violent murderer. Crowned king at London. Pryderi diplomatically paid him homage. When the Dyfed family emigrate to Lloegr, England, they express fear of Caswallawn knowing they are there.
Cauldron[2] Large cooking or serving pot, which revives the dead, who lose voice/ speech. First known in Iwerddun, Ireland, recounted by king Matholwch. Guardians: Llassar & Cymidei, their sons are full warriors at six weeks. Their violence leads to a murderous plot (Iron House). Llassar & Cymidei flee to Britain and settle well. Bendigeidfran gifts the Cauldron to Matholwch who then uses its massive power in the Irish War.
Ceredigion[4] Historically one of the most frequently fought Welsh/ English territories. Pryderi holds court there in his final story, when Gwydion visits to manipulate him.
Charles-Edwards, Thomas1970- Dating 1050-1100 (Sullivan) Crit S. Lewis Welsh King and his Court
Cigfa ferch Gwyn GohoywFemale. [1,3] Genealogy of Gloyw, Gloucester. Chaste wife of Pryderi, attempts to prevent Manawydan from humilating himself. Not present in Pryderi's final tale.
Commmote[1] Small district or region, subdivision of cantref.
Counsellors to Rhiannon[1] Accused of infantcide Rhiannon holds counsel with her advisers to decide what to do.
Courtier at ArberthMale. [1] A Dyfed courtier advises Pwyll of the nature of the Arberth prophecy before he meets Rhiannon.
Cŵn AnnwfnDogs. [2] Enchanted hunting hounds of Arawn, red eyes & ears, hunt Stag, meet Pwyll.
cyfranc, gyfrancaffair, concern, incident, adventure; story (of battle, &c.), tale, narrative; conversation, discussion. (GPC)
Cyfranc Caseg a’r Mab1977 ‘The Adventure of the Mare and the Boy,’ Detailed example of lore. (Ford (1977), pp. 3-14) Separate tale, Gwent mirrors Arberth, Rhiannon - mare. Theories
Cyfranc Hywel DdaLaws of Hywel Dda. Organised on principles of compensation galanas, life-value; and sarhaed injury value.
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