Gilvaethwy the son of Don

Also known as: Gilvaethwy · Family: Gwynedd · Role: nephew of Math and brother of Gwydion · First appears: MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 1

In the first chapter, Gilvaethwy is the son of Don and the nephew of Math the son of Mathonwy, alongside his brother Gwydion the son of Don. He sets his affections on Goewin, loving her intensely; he takes Math the son of Mathonwy’s couch, sends the other damsels from the room discourteously, and makes Goewin remain unwillingly.

In the second chapter, Gilvaethwy is named “Gilvaethwy the false” and is the father of three sons: Bleiddwn, Hydwn, and Hychdwn the Tall, described as three faithful combatants.

Relationship record

Life events

• Gilvaethwy forces Goewin to remain in Math's chamber after expelling the other maidens.(MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 1 · 📍 Caerdathyl)
  • With: Goewin Math the son of Mathonwy
  • “And at night Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy his brother, returned to Caerdathyl; and Gilvaethwy took Math the son of Mathonwy's couch. And while he turned out the other damsels from the room discourteously, he made Goewin unwillingly remain.”
• Goewin reveals that Gwydion and Gilvaethwy assaulted her, dishonouring Math.(MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 2 · 📍 Caerdathyl)
  • With: Goewin Math the son of Mathonwy Gwydion the son of Don
  • “An attack, lord, was made unawares upon me; but I held not my peace, and there was no one in the court who knew not of it. Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don; unto me they did wrong, and unto thee dishonour.”
• Math transforms Gwydion and Gilvaethwy into deer as punishment.(MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 2)
  • With: Math the son of Mathonwy Gwydion the son of Don
  • “Then he took his magic wand, and struck Gilvaethwy, so that he became a deer, and he seized upon the other hastily lest he should escape from him. And he struck him with the same magic wand, and he became a deer also.”
• Math restores Gwydion and Gilvaethwy to human form after their punishment.(MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 2)
  • With: Math the son of Mathonwy Gwydion the son of Don
  • “Then he struck the two with his magic wand, and they resumed their own nature.”

MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 1

• parent: Don “Gilvaethwy the son of Don, and Eneyd the son of Don, his nephews, the sons of his sister,”
• elder kin: Math the son of Mathonwy “Gilvaethwy the son of Don, and Eneyd the son of Don, his nephews, the sons of his sister,”
• siblings with Gwydion the son of Don “One day his brother Gwydion gazed steadfastly upon him.”
• admired: Goewin “Now the maiden was with Math continually, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don set his affections upon her, and loved her so that he knew not what he should do because of her,”
• with Goewin (interaction) “Gilvaethwy took Math the son of Mathonwy's couch. And while he turned out the other damsels from the room discourteously, he made Goewin unwillingly remain.”

MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 2

• elder kin: Math the son of Mathonwy “Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don;”
• parent: Don “Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don;”
• siblings with Gwydion the son of Don “Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don;”
• child: Bleiddwn “The three sons of Gilvaethwy the false, The three faithful combatants, Bleiddwn, Hydwn, and Hychdwn the Tall.”
• child: Hydwn “The three sons of Gilvaethwy the false, The three faithful combatants, Bleiddwn, Hydwn, and Hychdwn the Tall.”
• child: Hychdwn “The three sons of Gilvaethwy the false, The three faithful combatants, Bleiddwn, Hydwn, and Hychdwn the Tall.”
• with Goewin (Gilvaethwy participated in the wrong done to Goewin.) “Now the attack was made by thy nephews, lord, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion the son of Don, and Gilvaethwy the son of Don; unto me they did wrong, and unto thee dishonour.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Mabinogion. Made with Rho MD.