Pwyll

Also known as: Pwyll Chief of Annwvyn / Pwyll Pen Annwn / Pwyll Prince of Dyved / Pwyll the chief of Annwvyn · Family: Dyved · Role: prince · First appears: PWYLL PRINCE OF DYVED 1

As Pwyll Prince of Dyved, Pwyll formed a firm friendship with Arawn the king of Annwn, taking Arawn’s form and place in Annwvyn. There he defeated Havgan in Arawn’s stead, while Arawn ruled Dyved in his semblance; when their exchange ended, each returned to his proper form. Because Pwyll had ruled Annwvyn prosperously and united the two kingdoms in one day, he was called Pwyll Chief of Annwvyn from that time forward.

At Gorsedd Arberth, Rhiannon revealed her love for Pwyll and her refusal to marry another, and Pwyll chose her above every other woman, saying, “thee would I choose.” He arranged to meet her at the palace of Heveydd Hen, arriving a year later with a hundred knights while the court was placed under his orders. When Gwawl sought Rhiannon as his bride, Pwyll and Rhiannon arranged for Pwyll to trap him in the magical bag; Pwyll then seized Gwawl’s household, though Gwawl was released after accepting a covenant against revenge. Pwyll and Rhiannon departed for Dyved, married, and ruled the land prosperously.

Before the end of a year, Pwyll and Rhiannon had a son, Pryderi. Teirnyon Twryv Vliant, who had once been one of Pwyll’s followers, recognized the likeness between the boy and Pwyll and agreed to send him back. Pwyll later promised to support Teirnyon and his possessions, and, in the midst of the events at Oxford, tendered his homage to Caswallawn, receiving an honourable welcome and praise for it.