Taliesin

Also known as: Gwion Bach / Merddin · Family: Island of the Mighty · Role: warrior · First appears: THE DREAM OF RHONABWY 2

In the account of the Island of the Mighty’s defeat, Bendigeid Vran was wounded and only seven men escaped. He commanded that his head be cut off for burial in London, marking Taliesin’s recorded connection with him.

As Gwion Bach, Taliesin was the son of Gwreang and was placed by Caridwen to stir her cauldron while Morda kept the fire beneath it burning for a year and a day. Caridwen bore him after nine months but could not kill him because of his beauty; later they became enemies, with Taliesin fleeing as a hare while she pursued him as a greyhound. He came with Elphin to Gwyddno Garanhir, who learned that he had brought back something better than fish, and Elphin became both his protector and employer.

In his later accounts, Taliesin declared, “Three times have I been born,” and claimed knowledge of all the sciences of the world. He used a kitchen maid disguised as Rhun’s mistress to thwart Rhun’s investigation, opposed Maelgwn Gwynedd and Rhun, and was challenged by Heinin Vardd after Maelgwn Gwynedd asked who he was; Idno and Heinin Vardd called him Merddin. He described himself as instructor to Eli and Enoc, bard to Lleon of Lochlin, and present in the courts or histories of Arianrod, Alexander, Moses, Noah, Mary Magdalene, Cynvelyn, Don, Gwydion the son of Don, Absalom, and Nimrod.

At once in his dealings with Elphin, Taliesin freed him from prison by singing until his chains opened, proved Elphin’s wife innocent before the court, and silenced the assembled bards. After Elphin’s horse won the race at Pwllbair, Taliesin’s reward was a cauldron full of gold.