Index
The Arthurian Mabinogion:
context
The Mabinogion or the Four Branches of Mabinogi (Pedair cainc y mabinogi en Welsh) are four medieval texts (chwedl or cyfarwyddyd, words meaning tales), written in Middle Welsh (language in force from the 12th century to the 16th century), which refer to the mythology Celtic of antiquity. Traditionally, other tales relating to the legend Arthurian. The word Mabinogion is the plural of Mabinogi. Various explanations of the meaning of the word have been put forward, but it probably comes from the god Mabon (Maponos in Gaul) which appears in the tale Kulhwch and Olwen, and which is part of the same collection. The four stories are entitled: Pwyll, prince of Dyved, The Mabinogi of Branwen, Manawydan son of Llyr and Math son of Mathonwy.
The Mabinogion were elaborated from two manuscripts, the Book Blanc de Rhydderch, the writing of which extends from 1380 to 1410, and the Red Book of Hergest which is dated approximately 1350. Remember that in the Celtic world, poetry was the specialty of bards. The themes developed are found in Irish tradition, which attests to their antiquity. We can cite, as an example, the relationships between the druid (or magician) and the king, the obligations of Sovereignty, the Other World (the Sidh of the Tuatha Dé Danann, in Ireland), war, the practice of craft functions. This is the illustration of the trifunctional ideology of the Indo-Europeans, as exposed by Georges Dumézil. Just like mythological texts Irish, a Christian veneer is sometimes superimposed on the stories.
In the wave of celtomania of the 19th century, a first redacted publication in English was made by Lady Guest between 1838 and 1849, parts of which were translated into French by Théodore Hersart de la Villemarqué, but it was Joseph Loth who would establish the first complete French edition.
The late writing indicates a long oral tradition, these myths have been transmitted from generation to generation, through the centuries; therefore it is not possible to specify its origin (see the article devoted to druids).
Details of the four Branches
Pwyll, Prince of Dyved
Pwyll made a pact with Arawn the king of Annwvyn, the Otherworld of Celts, to become the master of the kingdom of Dyved. This accession to the sovereign function results in a change of name, he becomes the “chief of Annwvyn”. His reign is characterized by equity, justice and generosity. To legitimize his new power, he must find a queen. He meets Rhiannon, whose name (from Rigantona) means “Great Queen”; she is an avatar of the female Celtic deity (see Brigit, Brigantia). He eliminates his rival Gwawl and all other contenders. A series of banquets and gifts followed. Rhiannon, is falsely accused of infanticide, while her son Pryderi has been kidnapped, and must do penance – the insertion of this episode aims to Christianize the story.
The subject of this tale is the origin, foundation and legitimacy of royalty. The contract made with a king of the Other World clearly indicates the divine origin. Pwyll's marriage to the goddess Rhiannon is consistent with Celtic mythology since sovereignty is a feminine concept. The justice and generosity of the king are two fundamental and essential qualities of the office.
Branwen's Mabinogi
Branwen, daughter of Llyr and sister of Bran the Blessed, was asked in marriage by Matholwch, the king of Ireland. This union is a kind of contract which should ensure peace between the two nations. Evnissyen, who was not consulted, tried to ruin this agreement: he cut off the lips, ears and tails of Irish horses. To repair the offense, Bran offers new mounts and a magical cauldron. Branwen is taken to Ireland where she is received with pomp. From this union a son Gwern was born, but the king grew tired of his wife, he made her renounce her title of queen, and made her work in the kitchens. During three years of this treatment, she secretly raised a starling, then sent it to her brother, with a message on its leg. Immediately, he undertook a military expedition.
The second tale of the Mabinogion deals with the difficult relations between the Celtic nations. War is the central theme, and we see a glorification of the heroic warrior. War and raids are also recurring notions in Celtic civilization. Bran is a giant, whose name means “raven”, an emblematic animal of the deities associated with death.
Manawydan son of Llyr
Manawydan, son of Llyr, married Rhiannon, after the death of her first husband, Pwyll. During a walk joined by Rhiannon's son Pryderi and his wife Kigva, a sudden storm breaks out, followed by a magical fog, which leaves the country devastated and deserted. After having exhausted the provisions of the house, they decide to go to England in order to practice a profession and provide for themselves. They settled in Henford as saddlers, they were so successful that the other craftsmen of the town, jealous, chased them away. They will be shield makers, then shoemakers, with equal success and exile. Back in Dyved, they became hunters, then farmers.
According to the Dumezilian schema, this story describes the third class of society, that of artisans/producers and farmers/breeders. The other two classes are druids and warriors. The role of artisans (in the broadest sense) is to produce for society as a whole. Manawydan is the Welsh equivalent of the Irish Manannan Mac Lir
Math son of Mathonwy
Math is the king of Gwynedd, renowned for his magic. Its name is related to that of the bear, which is the emblematic animal of royalty. He can only live with his feet in the lap of a virgin, except during periods of war. The young girl who fulfills this office is named Goewin, she is engaged to Gilvaethwy. The druid Gwydyon, nephew of Math, declares war on Pryderi to force his uncle to intervene, and allows Gilvaethwy to take the freed girl. Using his magic, the fooled king transforms them into animals. It is Arianrhod who must take Goewin's place, and Math must check his virginity with his magic wand. At the same time, Gwydyon must educate Lleu, who is in fact an avatar of the all-powerful Lug.
The last tale of the Mabinogion is more specially devoted to the functions of the priestly class. Goewin's role, as a female principle, is to legitimize Math's kingship, which only concerns itself with prosperity and war. Gwydyon is the prototype of the Druid, omnipotent and Omniscient, who must initiate his nephew who, through his trifunctional quality (see the Lug article) can aspire to royalty.
EN 
FR 
ES