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 ~~NOTOC~~ ~~NOTOC~~
-====== The Mabinogi Stories ====== +====== The Mabinogi Stories ​====== 
-The Mabinogi is made up of four Branches which tell the stories of three Kindreds.  +The Mabinogi is made up of four Branches which tell the stories of three Kindreds. This page is a retelling ​of the **First Branch**.
-More detailed, illustrated versions of the Stories are coming soon. This page is a summary ​of all Four Branches.+
  
-{{:​1home_branch.png?​150 |}}**Go down to** First Branch: **//​[[stories#​the_first_branchpwyll|Pwyll]]//​**\\  +{{:​1home_branch.png?​150 |}} First Branch: **//​[[stories|Pwyll]]//​**\\  
-Second Branch: **//[[stories#​the_second_branchbranwen|Branwen]]//​**\\  +Second Branch: **//[[stories2|Branwen]]//​**\\  
-Third Branch: **//[[stories#​the_third_branchmanawydan|Manawydan]]//​**\\  +Third Branch: **//[[stories3|Manawydan]]//​**\\  
-Fourth Branch: **//[[stories#​the_fourth_branchmath|Math]]//​** ​+Fourth Branch: **//[[stories4|Math]]//​** ​
  
 These names for the Branches are not in the mediaeval manuscripts,​ but they have been in use for over 150 years since 19thC [[s:​guest|Guest]]. //Branwen// is less justified than the others, as her name does not begin the Branch, but is as well established now as the others. ​ These names for the Branches are not in the mediaeval manuscripts,​ but they have been in use for over 150 years since 19thC [[s:​guest|Guest]]. //Branwen// is less justified than the others, as her name does not begin the Branch, but is as well established now as the others. ​
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 ===== The First Branch: PWYLL ===== ===== The First Branch: PWYLL =====
-{{::​carew_stag.png?​130 |}}**Pwyll I** Pwyll prince of Dyfed, decides to go hunting. Separated from his companions, lost in the forest, he sees a stag brought down by strange shining hounds. He beats them off and puts his own hounds to feed on the stag. A horseman appears, owner of the other hounds, who rebukes him for his gross discourtesy. He is Arawn, king of fabled Annwfn. Pwyll undertakes to compensate Arawn for the offence, and win his friendship (alliance).\\+{{::​carew_stag.png?​130 |}}**Pwyll I**\\ 
 +Pwyll prince of Dyfed, decides to go hunting. Separated from his companions, lost in the forest, he sees a stag brought down by strange shining hounds. He beats them off and puts his own hounds to feed on the stag. A horseman appears, owner of the other hounds, who rebukes him for his gross discourtesy. He is Arawn, king of fabled Annwfn. Pwyll undertakes to compensate Arawn for the offence, and win his friendship (alliance).\\
 Arawn shapechanges Pwyll so they can change places. Pwyll lives as 'the man in Arawn'​s place' for a year  (but without making love to '​his'​ wife the beautiful queen). He fights and conquers Arawn'​s enemy Hafgan, which is the aim of his contract with Arawn.\\ Arawn shapechanges Pwyll so they can change places. Pwyll lives as 'the man in Arawn'​s place' for a year  (but without making love to '​his'​ wife the beautiful queen). He fights and conquers Arawn'​s enemy Hafgan, which is the aim of his contract with Arawn.\\
 Once they both resume their own places, Arawn has some explaining to do to his queen when they are alone together in bed. He concludes Pwyll has shown himself a true friend. Pwyll is acclaimed a hero, 'Head of Annwfn',​ and the two rulers continue to exchange rich gifts to seal the alliance. Once they both resume their own places, Arawn has some explaining to do to his queen when they are alone together in bed. He concludes Pwyll has shown himself a true friend. Pwyll is acclaimed a hero, 'Head of Annwfn',​ and the two rulers continue to exchange rich gifts to seal the alliance.
  
-**Pwyll II** Pwyll decides to accept the challenge of Gorsedd Arberth, a hill behind his court. Its prophecy promises '​wounds or a marvel'​ if he sits there. As he does so he and his company see a marvellous woman rider on a pale horse go past. Pwyll sends a man and then another after her to find out what she desires, but neither can reach her.\\+**Pwyll II**\\ 
 +Pwyll decides to accept the challenge of Gorsedd Arberth, a hill behind his court. Its prophecy promises '​wounds or a marvel'​ if he sits there. As he does so he and his company see a marvellous woman rider on a pale horse go past. Pwyll sends a man and then another after her to find out what she desires, but neither can reach her.\\
 {{ ::​caseg.png?​150|}}On the third day Pwyll himself chases her but as with his men however fast he rides she stays ahead, though she rides slowly. He begs her to stop. She does so but rebukes him for riding his horse so hard. She identifies herself as Rhiannon, declaring her purpose is to marry Pwyll instead of her existing suitor. He gladly agrees to a wedding in a year's time.\\ {{ ::​caseg.png?​150|}}On the third day Pwyll himself chases her but as with his men however fast he rides she stays ahead, though she rides slowly. He begs her to stop. She does so but rebukes him for riding his horse so hard. She identifies herself as Rhiannon, declaring her purpose is to marry Pwyll instead of her existing suitor. He gladly agrees to a wedding in a year's time.\\
 At the feast a good looking princely young man asks Pwyll for a favour, which he generously grants. Rhiannon instantly rebukes his foolish words. For this is Gwawl, the unwanted suitor, who asks for Rhiannon herself! Pwyll is devastated but Rhiannon insists he must agree for honour'​s sake. However she promises she will free them from Pwyll'​s words.\\ At the feast a good looking princely young man asks Pwyll for a favour, which he generously grants. Rhiannon instantly rebukes his foolish words. For this is Gwawl, the unwanted suitor, who asks for Rhiannon herself! Pwyll is devastated but Rhiannon insists he must agree for honour'​s sake. However she promises she will free them from Pwyll'​s words.\\
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 Rhiannon and Pwyll are duly married and journey to Dyfed together. Rhiannon and Pwyll are duly married and journey to Dyfed together.
  
-**Pwyll III** After jointly ruling Dyfed together in happiness for three years, Rhiannon and Pwyll have no child. The Council of nobles demand Pwyll divorce Rhiannon but he temporises with delay and Rhiannon then gives birth to a son. Six Maids are on duty while she sleeps. But they also sleep, waking to find the child gone.\\+**Pwyll III**\\ 
 +After jointly ruling Dyfed together in happiness for three years, Rhiannon and Pwyll have no child. The Council of nobles demand Pwyll divorce Rhiannon but he temporises with delay and Rhiannon then gives birth to a son. Six Maids are on duty while she sleeps. But they also sleep, waking to find the child gone.\\
 In great fear they plot to blame Rhiannon. They smear her with puppy blood, then when she wakes accuse her of killing and eating her own baby. With no witness on her side Rhiannon and her counsellors accept her doing penance. She will sit at the gate of Arberth for seven years, telling her crime to travelers, offering to carry them on her back like a horse.\\ In great fear they plot to blame Rhiannon. They smear her with puppy blood, then when she wakes accuse her of killing and eating her own baby. With no witness on her side Rhiannon and her counsellors accept her doing penance. She will sit at the gate of Arberth for seven years, telling her crime to travelers, offering to carry them on her back like a horse.\\
 {{ ::​mare_colt.jpg?​150|}}Meanwhile in Gwent, the good lord Teyrnon has a beautiful mare who births a foal every May Eve, which mysteriously disappears. Teyrnon agrees with his wife he will stand vigil to protect the mare, bringing her inside the hall. He sees the new foal born then through the window a dreadful claw reaches for it. Teyrnon slashes it, runs outside but in the dark can see nothing to follow. He discovers a baby left on the step.\\ {{ ::​mare_colt.jpg?​150|}}Meanwhile in Gwent, the good lord Teyrnon has a beautiful mare who births a foal every May Eve, which mysteriously disappears. Teyrnon agrees with his wife he will stand vigil to protect the mare, bringing her inside the hall. He sees the new foal born then through the window a dreadful claw reaches for it. Teyrnon slashes it, runs outside but in the dark can see nothing to follow. He discovers a baby left on the step.\\
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 Pryderi grows up as a fine prince, becomes ruler of Dyfed when Pwyll dies, and conquers wider territories. He marries Cigfa of Gloyw (Gloucester). Pryderi grows up as a fine prince, becomes ruler of Dyfed when Pwyll dies, and conquers wider territories. He marries Cigfa of Gloyw (Gloucester).
  
-===== The Second Branch: BRANWEN ===== +{{:1home_branch.png?150 |}} First Branch: ​**//​[[stories|Pwyll]]//​**\\  
-**Branwen'​s Blow** The king of Britain, Bendigeidfran has a beautiful sister, Branwem, the highest lady in Britain. They also have a brother Manawydan, and two half brothers by another mother. The King of Ireland arrives in thirteen ships at Bendigeidfran'​s court at Harlech rock, asking for alliance by marriage with Branwen. After feasting British and Irish together, the Council of Britain agreed that Branwen Lady of Britain and Matholwuch King of Ireland would be married.\\ +Second Branch: ​**//​[[stories2|Branwen]]//​**\\  
-The wedding feast was held at Aberffraw in pavilion tents, for Bendigeidfran had never been contained in a house. All was well, Branwen and Matholwch slept together that night, and the feast continued.\\ +Third Branch: ​**//​[[stories3|Manawydan]]//​**\\  
-But Efnysien, one of Branwen'​s half brothers, was a quarrelsome man. He objected to his sister'​s wedding feeling that he had not been properly consulted. To show his anger at being insulted he mutilated Matholwch'​s fine horses most horribly, cutting their lips, ears, eyelids and tails.\\ +Fourth Branch: ​**//​[[stories4|Math]]//​** ​
-When Matholwch heard of it he was amazed that he had been given the peerless Branwen and then insulted. He left for his ships. However Bendigeidfran sent two noble messengers to overtake them who listened to Matholwch'​s anger. Bendigeidfran then sent his own brother Manawydan to offer the highest honour payment that can be paid: all the horses would be replaced and as well a silver rod, and a gold plate the size of a face. For Bendigeidfran wished it to be clear the insult was not his making.\\ +
-{{::caluldron2.jpg?200 |}} On his side Matholwch'​s Council felt that they would not get a better offer and to refuse would bring shame. So it was agreed and the two kings once more joined their companies in feasting. But Bendigeidfran felt Matholwch was not truly happy so he offered to add to the huge compensation already being paid. He gave Matholwch a Cauldron of enchantment which revived any dead man placed inside it, except he would be voiceless.\\ +
-As the kings conversed Matholwch asked after the Cauldron'​s provenance and Bendigeidfran recounted the tale. It had come from Ireland with two refugees, Llassar and Cymidei, who fled the white hot Iron House. matholwch replied with the tale from Ireland. He had been sitting a hill by a lake, when an enormous, evil looking man with red blond hair came up from the water with a cauldron on his back. With him came his even more monstrous wife. They told the Irish king she would birth a boy who in sex weeks would be a fully armed warrior.\\ +
-Matholwch took them on and for a year it was well but then they became insulting and hated. They would not leave so the Council decided to kill them. An iron house was built and the problem family persuaded to go inside it with much food and drink. Once they were drunk the iron was heated with brush fires but the couple forced their way  out and fled - to Britain.\\ +
-After the feast was done the Irish sailed home in their thirteen ships. Branwen distrinuted rich gifts among rejoicing and in due course she bore a son who they named Gwern. But gradually the insult done to Matholwch by the British arose again and there was resentment. Matholwch'​s kin mocked him until he and his advisers took revenge on Branwen.\\ +
-She was forced to live in the kitchens, do the baking, and endure a daily blow to her ears by the butcher all bloody from his work. It was kept secret by stopping trade with britain, and imprisoning any who came from there. +
- +
- +
-**The Assembly of Bran**.\\ +
-**The Assembly of the Head**.\\ +
-**The Singing of the Birds of Rhiannon**.\\ +
- +
-===== The Third Branch: MANAWYDAN ===== +
- +
-===== The Fourth Branch: ​MATH =====+
  
  
stories.1517131251.txt.gz · Last modified: 2018/01/28 09:20 by admin