Branwen

Family: Wales · Role: daughter of Llyr and chief lady of the Island · First appears: BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 1

In chapter 1, Branwen, daughter of Llyr and sister of Evnissyen, became the bride of Matholwch at Aberffraw, joining the Island of the Mighty with Ireland. In chapter 2, while in Ireland, she bore Matholwch’s son Gwern, who was sent to be foster-nursed.

In the second year, Matholwch separated Branwen from his chamber, made her cook for the court, and had her physically punished. Her letter reached her brother Bendigeid Vran at Caer Seiont in Arvon, revealing her mistreatment. In chapter 3, peace was made between them, and sovereignty was conferred upon Gwern, but Evnissyen killed the boy by thrusting him into the fire.

Afterward, Branwen died of grief and was buried in a four-sided grave on the banks of the Alaw. Chapter 4 also places Branwen and Matholwch together during their entertaining when they went to Ireland.

Relationship record

Life events

• Branwen became Matholwch's bride, joining the Island of the Mighty with Ireland.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 1 · 📍 Aberffraw)
  • With: Matholwch
  • “And that night Branwen became Matholwch's bride.”
• Gwern was born to Branwen and Matholwch and sent to be foster-nursed.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 2 · 📍 Ireland)
  • With: Gwern Matholwch
  • “And in the meanwhile, it chanced that she became pregnant, and in due time a son was born unto her, and the name that they gave him was Gwern the son of Matholwch”
• Branwen was separated from Matholwch, forced to cook, and physically punished.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 2 · 📍 Ireland)
  • With: Matholwch
  • “And the vengeance which they took was to drive away Branwen from the same chamber with him, and to make her cook for the court; and they caused the butcher, after he had cut up the meat, to come to her and give her every day a blow on the ear”
• Branwen's letter reached Bendigeid Vran and revealed her mistreatment.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 2 · 📍 Caer Seiont in Arvon)
  • With: Bendigeid Vran
  • “And the bird came to this Island, and one day it found Bendigeid Vran at Caer Seiont in Arvon, conferring there, and it alighted upon his shoulder and ruffled its feathers, so that the letter was seen”
• Peace is made, and sovereignty is conferred upon Gwern.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 3)
  • With: Bendigeid Vran Matholwch Gwern
  • “And this peace was made, and the house was built both vast and strong.”
• Evnissyen kills Gwern by thrusting him into the fire.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 3)
  • With: Evnissyen Gwern Bendigeid Vran
  • “Then he arose and took up the boy by the feet, and before any one in the house could seize hold of him, he thrust the boy headlong into the blazing fire.”
• Branwen dies of grief and is buried on the banks of the Alaw.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 3 · 📍 Aber Alaw)
  • “Then she uttered a loud groan and there broke her heart. And they made her a four-sided grave and buried her upon the banks of the Alaw.”
• The chapter identifies Branwen and Matholwch’s entertainment with the time of their journey to Ireland.(BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 4 · 📍 Ireland)
  • With: Matholwch
  • “The entertaining of Branwen and Matholwch was in the time that they went to Ireland.”

BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 1

• parent: Llyr “Branwen the daughter of Llyr”
• siblings with Evnissyen “who is married to Branwen, thy sister”
• admirer: Matholwch “He is a suitor unto thee, lord”
• married with Matholwch “that night Branwen became Matholwch's bride”

BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 2

• parent: Llyr “BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 2”
• married with Matholwch “And the vengeance which they took was to drive away Branwen from the same chamber with him, and to make her cook for the court”
• child: Gwern “And in the meanwhile, it chanced that she became pregnant, and in due time a son was born unto her, and the name that they gave him was Gwern the son of Matholwch”
• siblings with Bendigeid Vran “Bendigeid Vran, my brother”

BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 3

• child: Gwern “And when Branwen saw her son burning in the fire, she strove to leap into the fire also, from the place where she sat between her two brothers.”
• siblings with Bendigeid Vran “And when Branwen saw her son burning in the fire, she strove to leap into the fire also, from the place where she sat between her two brothers. But Bendigeid Vran grasped her with one hand, and his shield with the other.”
• with Bendigeid Vran (Bendigeid Vran physically supports Branwen during the tumult.) “But Bendigeid Vran grasped her with one hand, and his shield with the other. Then they all hurried about the house”

BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 4

• parent: Llyr “BRANWEN THE DAUGHTER OF LLYR 4”
• with Matholwch (They are explicitly associated in the account of the journey to Ireland.) “The entertaining of Branwen and Matholwch was in the time that they went to Ireland.”

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