Branwen ferch Llŷr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Branwen ferch Llŷr |
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| "Branwen, daughter of Llŷr" | |
The Two Kings (sculptor Ivor Robert-Jones, 1984) near Harlech Castle, Wales. Bendigeidfran carries the body of his nephew Gwern, following the latter's death at Efnysien's hands.
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| Author(s) | Unknown, generally believed to be a scribe from Dyfed. |
| Language | Middle Welsh |
| Date | Earliest manuscript dates to 14th century; tale believed to be much older. |
| Series | Four Branches of the Mabinogi |
| Genre | Welsh mythology |
| Subject | Second branch of the Mabinogi. The assembly of Branwen and Matholwch and the Assembly of the Noble Head. |
| Setting | Mostly Ireland, also Harlech, London and Aberffraw. |
| Period covered | Mythological |
| Personages | Bran the Blessed, Matholwch, Branwen, Efnysien, Manawydan, Pryderi, Taliesin, Gwern |
Branwen ferch Llŷr, or "Branwen, daughter of Llŷr," is a famous old story from medieval Welsh literature. It is the second part of a collection of four tales called the Mabinogi.
This legend tells the story of Bendigeidfran, who was the high king of Britain, and his siblings, Manawydan and Branwen. The main part of the story focuses on Branwen's marriage to Matholwch, the king of Ireland.
However, things go wrong when Matholwch treats Branwen badly. This leads to a terrible war between Britain and Ireland. Many of the main characters die in this conflict. After the war, Caswallon fab Beli becomes the new king of Britain.
You can find this tale, along with the other Mabinogi stories, in old books like the Red Book of Hergest and the White Book of Rhydderch. The story of Branwen is followed by the third branch, Manawydan fab Llŷr.
Historians think this story might have been influenced by real events or other ancient legends. For example, some parts might come from old battles or myths from Ireland.
Contents
The Story of Branwen
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The story begins when Matholwch, the king of Ireland, sails to Harlech in Wales. He wants to meet Bran the Blessed, who is the high king of Britain. Matholwch asks to marry Bran's sister, Branwen. This marriage would create a strong friendship between their two islands.
A Troubled Wedding
Bran agrees to the marriage. But during the wedding feast, Branwen's half-brother, Efnysien, feels insulted. He secretly harms Matholwch's horses. This makes Matholwch very angry, and he feels dishonored.
To make up for the insult, Bran offers Matholwch many gifts. One special gift is a magic cauldron. This cauldron can bring dead warriors back to life. Matholwch is pleased with this powerful gift. He and Branwen then sail back to Ireland to rule their kingdom.
Branwen's Hardship in Ireland
Once in Ireland, Branwen gives birth to a son named Gwern. But the Irish people still remember Efnysien's insult. They start to treat Branwen very badly. She is sent to work in the kitchens and is beaten every day.
Branwen is heartbroken and desperate. She tames a starling, a type of bird, and teaches it to carry a message. She sends the bird across the Irish Sea to her brother, Bendigeidfran, in Wales. The message tells him about her terrible treatment.
The War Begins
When Bendigeidfran hears about Branwen's suffering, he gathers a huge army. He sails from Wales to Ireland to rescue her. His brother, Manawydan, also joins him. The Irish king, Matholwch, sees the massive British army approaching.
The Irish try to make peace. They offer to build a giant house big enough for Bendigeidfran and his army. However, this is a trick. Inside the house, they hang a hundred bags. They claim the bags contain flour, but they actually hide armed warriors.
Efnisien's Actions
Efnisien, Branwen's half-brother, suspects a trick. He checks the hall and discovers the hidden warriors. He kills them by crushing their heads inside the bags. Later, during a feast, Efnisien feels insulted again. In a fit of rage, he throws young Gwern, Branwen's son, into the fire.
This terrible act starts a savage battle between the British and Irish armies. The Irish use the magic cauldron to revive their dead warriors. Seeing this, Efnisien hides among the corpses. When he gets close to the cauldron, he destroys it, sacrificing himself in the process.
The Journey Home
The war is devastating for both sides. Only seven men survive the conflict from the British side. Among them are Manawydan, the wise Taliesin, and Pryderi fab Pwyll, who is a prince from Dyfed. Branwen herself dies of a broken heart from all the sorrow.
Bendigeidfran is mortally wounded. He tells the survivors to cut off his head and take it back to Britain. For seven years, the seven survivors stay in Harlech. During this time, Bendigeidfran's head continues to speak and entertains them.
They then move to Gwales, which is thought to be Grassholm Island. There, they live for eighty years without feeling time pass. Finally, one of them, Heilyn fab Gwyn, opens a door facing Cornwall. When he does, all the sadness of what happened returns to them.
As they were told, they take the now silent head to Gwynfryn, the "White Hill." This place is believed to be where the Tower of London stands today. They bury the head facing France. This was meant to protect Britain from future invasions.
