Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr explained
Bendigeid Vran, king of Britain, agrees to marry his sister Branwen to Matholch, king of Ireland, to forge an alliance.
What happens
Bendigeid Vran, king of Britain, agrees to marry his sister Branwen to Matholch, king of Ireland, to forge an alliance. During the wedding feast, Evnissyen, a half-brother, mutilates Matholch's horses as an insult for not being consulted. Bendigeid Vran compensates Matholch with horses, silver, gold, and a magical cauldron that revives the dead. Branwen suffers mistreatment in Ireland and sends a message to her brother. Bendigeid Vran wades across the sea with his army to rescue her. Peace is brokered by giving the Irish throne to Branwen's son Gwern. During the celebration, Evnissyen throws Gwern into a fire, sparking a battle. The Irish use the cauldron to revive their dead, but Evnissyen sacrifices himself to destroy it, leading to a devastating war.
Themes in this chapter
Hospitality and Its Violation
Evnissyen's mutilation of Matholch's horses violates the sacred bond of hospitality during the wedding feast, leading to conflict and war.
Jealousy and Revenge
Evnissyen's jealousy over not being consulted about Branwen's marriage drives him to insult Matholch, and later he murders his nephew Gwern out of spite, triggering a bloody battle.
Characters to notice
- Manawyddan
Brother of Bendigeid Vran, present at court and sent as an envoy to Matholch.
- Bendigeid Vran
King of Britain, brother of Branwen, who arranges her marriage and later leads a rescue expedition to Ireland.
Key passages
“And one afternoon he was at Harlech, in Ardudwy, at his court; and he sat upon the rock of Harlech, looking over the sea.”
One afternoon, King Bendigeid Vran was at his court in Harlech, seated on a rock overlooking the sea.
Sets the scene for the arrival of Matholch's ships.
“And thereupon he rushed under the horses, and cut off their lips at the teeth, and their ears close to their heads, and their tails close to their backs; and he disfigured the horses, and rendered them useless.”
Evnissyen then ran among the horses, cutting off their lips, ears, and tails, leaving them mutilated and worthless.
Evnissyen's act of vandalism as an insult to Matholch.
“Then he arose and took up the boy, and before anyone in the house could seize hold of him he thrust the boy headlong into the blazing fire.”
Evnissyen grabbed the boy Gwern and threw him into the fire before anyone could stop him.
Evnissyen's treacherous murder of his nephew, sparking the battle.