Llew Llaw Gyffes

Also known as: Llew / the young man / the youth · Role: youth and lord · First appears: MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 3

In MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 3, Gwydion the son of Don brought up Llew Llaw Gyffes at Dinas Dinllev until he could manage any horse, and he was “perfect in features, and strength, and stature.” Arianrod was his parent, but also his enemy, while Math the son of Mathonwy was his patron. He gained arms despite Arianrod’s opposition and married Blodeuwedd.

By MATH THE SON OF MATHONWY 4, Blodeuwedd and Gronw Pebyr were his enemies: she sent Gronw Pebyr to ambush him at Bryn Kyvergyr, where Gronw struck him with a poisoned dart. Llew later told Math the son of Mathonwy that it was time for retribution, and at the river Cynvael he killed Gronw Pebyr when his dart pierced the protective slab and went through him. He then reclaimed the land and became lord over Gwynedd.