Mabon ap Modron facts for kids
Mabon ap Modron is a well-known character from Welsh stories and myths. He is the son of Modron and a member of King Arthur's famous group of knights. Both Mabon and his mother were likely seen as gods in ancient times. They might have been part of an old idea about a divine mother and son. Mabon is often thought to be the same as Pryderi fab Pwyll, another Welsh hero. He might also be linked to a smaller character in Arthurian tales called Mabon ab Mellt.
What's in a Name?
Mabon's name is connected to an old Roman-British god called Maponos. This name means "Great Son." His mother, Modron, is likely linked to a Gaulish goddess named Dea Matrona. Her name means "Great Mother."
The Roots of Their Names
The name Mabon comes from an ancient language called Common Brittonic. It is also from the Gaulish word Maponos, meaning "Great Son." This word itself comes from an even older language, Proto-Celtic, where *makwo- meant "son."
Similarly, Modron's name comes from the Brittonic and Gaulish goddess Mātronā. This name means "Great Mother." It also comes from the Proto-Celtic word *mātīr, which meant "mother."
Mabon's Role in Welsh Stories
The Story of Culhwch and Olwen
Mabon plays a key role in a famous Welsh tale called Culhwch ac Olwen. This story is about Culhwch, a young man who falls in love with a giant's daughter.
Culhwch's Difficult Quest
Culhwch's father, Cilydd, remarries after his first wife dies. Culhwch's new stepmother tries to make him marry his stepsister. When he refuses, she puts a curse on him. He can only marry the beautiful Olwen, daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden.
Even though he has never seen Olwen, Culhwch becomes determined to find her. His father tells him he will need the help of his famous cousin, King Arthur. So, Culhwch sets off to find Arthur.
Meeting King Arthur
Culhwch finds Arthur at his court in Celliwig in Cornwall. He asks Arthur for help. Cai, one of Arthur's knights, is the first to offer his support. He promises to stay with Culhwch until Olwen is found. Five more knights join them on their important journey.
Finding Ysbaddaden's Castle
The group travels until they find a beautiful castle. They meet Custennin, who is the shepherd brother of the giant Ysbaddaden. They learn that Ysbaddaden is a cruel giant. He took Custennin's land and killed twenty-three of his children.
Custennin helps Culhwch meet Olwen. She agrees to lead Culhwch and his friends to her father's castle. Cai promises to protect Custennin's twenty-fourth son, Goreu, with his own life.
Facing the Giant Ysbaddaden
The knights sneak into the castle. They defeat the guards and enter the giant's hall. Ysbaddaden tries to harm Culhwch with a poisoned dart. But he is outsmarted and wounded by Bedwyr, then by the enchanter Menw, and finally by Culhwch himself.
Eventually, Ysbaddaden gives in. He agrees to let Culhwch marry Olwen. But first, Culhwch must complete many impossible tasks. These tasks include hunting a magical boar called the Twrch Trwyth. He also needs to rescue a special prisoner, Mabon son of Modron.
Mabon's Importance to the Hunt
Mabon is crucial because he is the only person who can hunt a dog named Drudwyn. And Drudwyn is the only dog that can track the Twrch Trwyth. So, finding Mabon is a very important part of Culhwch's quest.
The Search for Mabon
Arthur and his men learn that Mabon was taken from his mother when he was only three nights old. They ask the oldest and wisest animals in the world where he might be. Finally, they are led to the salmon of Llyn Llyw, the oldest animal of all.
The giant salmon carries Arthur's knights, Cei and Bedwyr, downstream. They arrive at Mabon's prison in Gloucester. They can hear him singing sadly from inside the walls. The rest of Arthur's men attack the front of the prison. Meanwhile, Cei and Bedwyr sneak in through the back and rescue Mabon. After his rescue, Mabon plays a very important part in the hunt for the Twrch Trwyth.
Other Stories Featuring Mabon
Mabon is mentioned in other old Welsh poems and tales.
In "Pa Gur"
One of the earliest mentions of Mabon is in a poem from the tenth century called Pa Gur. In this poem, Arthur lists the brave deeds of his knights. He does this to gain entry to a fortress. Mabon fab Mydron (a slightly different spelling of Modron) is one of Arthur's followers. He is described as a "servant to Uther Pendragon," who was Arthur's father.
Another character, Mabon fab Mellt, is also mentioned. The poem says he "stained the grass with blood," showing he was a fierce warrior.
In "The Dream of Rhonabwy"
Mabon also appears in the medieval story The Dream of Rhonabwy. In this tale, he fights alongside Arthur at the Battle of Badon. He is described as one of the king's main advisors.
Mabon is almost certainly connected to other characters in European Arthurian stories. These include Mabonagrain, Mabuz, Nabon le Noir, and Maboun.
