Notes on The Mabinogion (B)

(Originally Written September 12, 2009 in the Journal)

Notes on The Mabinogion

Manawydan was grieved that his uncle had stolen the throne of England after Manawydan's brother Bran had died. Pryderi offered his friendship by offering his mother Rhiannon as wife for Manawydan.

Manawydan and Rhiannon were married. The newlyweds and Pryderi and his wife, Kigva went and set on a mound. A mist came over them and when it lifted the four were alone. They spent two years like this and then left for England.

They settled in Hereford and became saddle makers. Soons everyone bought their saddles from these four. The other saddle makers plotted to kill them so they set out for another city where they took up shield making. The same thing happened again and they went to another town where they took up shoemaking. They again became so successful that their lives became endangered. Then they returned home to Dyved.

In Dyved they went hunting again. On a hunt they spotted a white boar which ran into a strange fortress. Pryderi went after it to retrieve his dogs against the advice of Manawydan. In the fortress there was neither the boar nor his dogs but a marble fountain with a golden bowl. He walked up to it and touched it, becoming stuck to it and mute. After waiting Manawydan returned home and broke the news to Rhiannon. Rhiannon then went out to find her son. She entered the fortress and also became stuck to the fountain. A mist fell and the fortress disappeared.

Manawydan and Kigua, Pryderi's wife left for England where Manawydan took up shoemaking again. After a year's time Manawydan became so successful that all the other shoemakers became envious and plotted against his life. They left England to go back to Dyved but this time with wheat to plant.

Manawydan sowed three crofts of wheat. When it was time to harves the first two crofts appeared naked, only stalks. The third one Manawydan then guarded. A hoard of mice came upon the croft and made off with the wheat but Manawydan managed to catch one.

Manawydan set out to hang the mouse he had caught. A scholar came to the spot where Manawydan was to hang the mouse. This was the first person he had seen in Dyved in seven years other than his three companions, two of which were lost. The scholar attempted to buy the mouse to spare its life. Manawydan refused the offer. Then a priest came upon Manawydan. The priest tried to buy the mouse but was again rebuffed. Next a bishop came. The bishop offered to buy the mouse but was refused. Finally a deal was struck because the bishop was actually Llywd who was a friend to Wawl, who had been mistreated by Pwyll, the father of Pryderi. Eventually the mouse, who was actually Llywd's wife was released to Llywd in exchange for Pryderi and Rhiannon and no more mischief from Llywd.