Matholwch

Family: Ireland · Role: king of Ireland · First appears: BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 1

Matholwch, king of Ireland, first came as a suitor to Branwen, and “that night Branwen became Matholwch's bride,” joining the Island of the Mighty with Ireland. When Evnissyen disfigured and ruined his horses, Matholwch left the court in anger without asking leave, but accepted the reparations offered by Bendigeid Vran and returned in peace. Bendigeid Vran also gave him a cauldron that restored slain men, though they could not regain their speech.

In due time, Branwen bore Matholwch a son, Gwern, who was sent to be foster-nursed. In the second year, however, Matholwch separated Branwen from him, made her cook for the court, and had the butcher strike her each day. When Bendigeid Vran came to Ireland, Matholwch’s forces retreated across the Linon and broke down its bridge; peace was then made, a strong house was built, and sovereignty was conferred upon Gwern. The Irish restored their dead through the cauldron, but the restored men were unable to speak, and the entertaining of Branwen and Matholwch belonged to the time when they went to Ireland.