"Breuddwyd Rhonabwy-Y cigfrein - Rhonabwy's Dream-The Ravens"

Madog, son of Maredudd ruled Powys from Porffordd to Gwafan. His brother Iorwerth was bitter about Madog's title and role in the county. Iorwerth committed murder, arson and took prisoners in anger. Madog decided to look for Iorwerth and set up groups of a hundred men in every corner of his realm to catch him. On this quest was a man called Rhonabwy. 

One night during their search Rhonabwy and his group of men saught shelter for the night. They came to the house of Heilyn Goch son of Cadwgan son of Iddon for lodging. Later that night, Rhonabwy went to sleep lying on an enchanted yellow ox-skin on the dais. He dreamt strange and morbid things - 

"When they had played a little he could hear a great commotion, and the screaming of men, and the croaking of ravens as they seized the men by brute force into the sky......and let them fall in pieces to the ground."

"Dynion Arthur yn Ceisio Dal Twrch Trwyth - Arthur's men try to catch the Twrch Trwyth"

The tale of Culhwch and Olwen.

When Culhwch's mother dies after childbirth, his father, King Cilydd son of Celyddon remarries. Culhwch's stepmother tries to arrange for him to marry her daughter. When Culhwch says no, she is so offended she curses him so that he cannot marry any woman unless he finds and marries Olwen, the beautiful daughter of the giant Ysbaddaden Pencawr. Culhwch becomes intrigued by the woman he is destined to marry. He asks his cousin Arthur to help him find Olwen. 

When they eventually find her, she falls in love with Culhwch. However, they can only marry if her father agrees. Unfortunately Ysbaddaden is destined to die upon the event of his daughter's marriage so he sets Culhwch and his men many impossible and dangerous tasks for his daughters hand. 

One of the greatest quests is to catch the Twrch Trwyth and retrieve the comb and shears he has between his ears. He is a fierce, wild and large boar - it is a near impossible task for Culhwch, Arthur and his men.

"...And they grabbed him first by his feet, and soused him in the Hafren until it flooded over him. Mabon son of Modron spurred his horse and snatched he shears from him. Before they could remove the comb he found his feet, and firm ground, and from that moment he found dry land neither hound nor man nor steed could keep up with him until he reached Cornwall." 

"Pwerau Hud Cai-Dwylo o Dan - Cai's Magic Powers-Hands of Fire"

One of Arthur's knights, Cai, son of Cynyr Ceinfarfog was very close to Arthur, but they argued like brothers. Cai was brave (but very stubborn), supernaturally tall and had many powers. 

In the tale of "How Culhwch Won Olwen" it reads - 

"Cai had magical qualities. For nine nights and nine days he could go without sleep. A wound from Cai's sword no physician could heal. Cai was clever. He could be as tall as the tallest tree in the forest when it pleased him. There was another strange thing about him. When the rain was at its heaviest, whatever was in his hand would remain dry...so great was his heat. And when his companions were coldest, this would be kindling for them to light a fire." 

"Owain yn byw yn y Coedwig - Owain Lives in the Forest"

Owain, son of Urien was one of Arthur's knights. Owain once went on a long journey where he had many experiences, some of which were devestating. He went missing from Arthur's company for three years. He was lost, but made a life in the enchanted castle of the Lady of the Well. Arthur and his knights eventually found him, and although he was happy to see them he was full of grief and bad memories. 

"The next morning he got up, and he did not make for Arthur's court but for the remote regions of the world and desolate mountains. And he wondered like this until all his clothes disintegrated and his body all but gave out and long hair grew all over him; and he would keep company with the wild animals and feed with them until they were used to him." 

"Peredur a'r Sarff Ddu - Peredur and the Black Serpent"

After so many battles and adventures Peredur made many alliances as well as enemies. One of his later quests (after he was knighted by Arthur) involved killing an enormous snake to obtain the gold it was guarding. He defeated The Black Serpent with speed and ease. 

Peredur's bravery was unrivalled throughout Wales. 

"Peredur a'r Llew - Peredur and the Lion"

Peredur, son of Efrog was the youngest of seven sons. His mother was very wise and after his father was killed, she kept him away from battle for as long as possible. She even kept any talk of weapons and enemies to a minimum in his presence. 

One day when Peredur was a little older, he met three knights and decided to join them on their quest, in the hope of one day becoming a knight himself.  The knights were Gwlachmai son of Gwyar, Gwair son of Gwystyl and Owain son of Urien. He learnt as much as he could from his mentors and became a formidable warrior. He longed to be a knight and the three men told him he would deserve to be knighted by Arthur if he only undertakes every task and quest sent his way. He embarks on a huge adventure and proves his worth with every battle and every victory. 

One of his tasks involved getting past a fierce gatekeeper - A Lion.

"...and at some distance in the forest he could see a steep rock, and the road leading to the side of the rock, and a lion tied to a chain sleeping by a rock. He could see a deep pit, of huge proportions below the lion, filled with the bones of men and animals."

"Blodeuwedd a'i Chosb - Blodeuwedd and her Curse"

When Math and Gwydion discovered what had happened to Lleu, they vowed to find him and punish Blodeuwedd. Gwydion eventually found Lleu in an old tree, in the form of an eagle. He was dying slowly and painfully. 

Gwydion managed to save his life. Meanwhile Blodeuwedd tried to run away. 

Gwydion caught up with her and said "I will not kill you. I will do worse. Namely I will release you in the form of a bird...and because of the shame you have brought upon Lleu Llaw Gyffes, you will never dare show your face in daylight for fear of all birds. And all the birds will be hostile towards you...You shall not lose your name however, but shall always be called Blodeuwedd." 

"Melltith Lleu - Lleu's Curse"

Lleu Llaw Gyffes was brought up by Gwydion. He was Aranrhod's son but she disowned him and resented him for proving she was no longer a virgin. All through Lleu's life, Aranrhod put obstacles in his path, even cursing him to a lonely existence without a wife. Gwydion and Lleu went to Math, son of Mathowy to ask for help. 

"Fine," Math said to Gwydion, "Let you and I try through our magic and enchantment to charm a wife for him out of flowers."

"Then they took the flowers of oak, and the flowers of the broom, and the flowers of the meadowsweet, and from those they conjured up the fairest and most beautiful maiden anyone had ever seen....and named her Blodeuwedd."

They married and lived in the Cantref of Dinoding, given to him by Math. One day, Lleu left their home to visit Math. While he was away, Blodeuwedd met a man called Gronw Pebr. They fell in love instantly. 

Discussing how they might stay together, Gronw made a decision. 

"There is only one thing to do, find out from him how death may come about, and do that by pretending to be concerned about him." 

Blodeuwedd finds out the strange and obscure circumstance in which Lleu may be killed and they plan his death. Blodeuwedd makes a bath for Lleu on the riverbed and contructs an arched roof above it. She brings a billy-goat and convinces Lleu to show her how he can be killed. He stands with one foot on the billy-goat and from a distance, Gronw delivers the final blow. 

"...and on one knee he aimed at Lleu with the poisoned spear, and struck him in his side...Lleu flew up in the air in the form of an eagle and gave a horrible scream..." 

"Dylan,Ni thorwyd tonnau byth oddi tano - Dylan, No Waves Ever Broke Beneath Him"

After Math had punished Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, he turns them back into men. He feels they have served their punishment and asks them which maiden to take as his new companion. 

"Lord," said Gwydion, "It is easy to advise you - Aranrhod daughter of Don, your niece, your sister's daughter." She was brought to Math.

He mad her step over a magic wand to prove she was still a virgin. "....and as she stepped she dropped a large, sturdy, yellow haired boy. The boy gave a loud cry. "Well," said Math son of Mathanwy, of the sturdy, yellow haired boy, "I will have this one baptized. I will call him Dylan." As soon as he was baptized he made for the sea. And there and then, as soon as he came to the sea, he took on the sea's nature and swam as well as the best fish in the sea. Because of that he was called Dylan Eil Ton - no wave ever broke beneath him. 

"Gwydion a Gilfaethwy, y Tri Cosb - Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, the Three Punishments"

Gilfaethwy, son of Don, falls in love with Goewin, daughter of Pebin. She was companion to Math, son of Mathonwy, lord over Gwynedd. Nobody was aware of Gilfaethwy's feelings for her. 

Gilfaethwy and his brother Gwydion also happened to be Math's nephews. They worked for him and helped circuit the land on his behalf in Gwynedd.

Seeing his brother was gravely lovesick, Gwydion decided to make sure he got what he wanted. After much plotting and planning, they trick Math into a battle with Pryderi and his men, which leads them as far as the uplands of Ceredigion. While the battle is in full force, the brothers travel back to Gwynedd. Gilfaethwy declares his love for Goewin and when she rejects him, he attacks her. After the battle is done, she tells Math everything. Math decides he will punish his nephews in a way they will not forget. 

"Had it been my will, I would not have lost all those men and weapons. You cannot compensate me for my shame, not to mention Pryderi's death. But since you have come to do my will, I will being to punish you."

He makes the two brothers mate - first as hind and stag, then as wild sow and wild boar, and lastly as wild wolves. 

"Y Lladron - The Thieves"

At the towering fort, Rhiannon and Pryderi are victims of an enchantment. Manawydan has no option but to leave them in this state, he leaves Dyfed with Pryderi's wife Cigfa. 

They try to make money to live by in England but eventually return to Dyfed. Manawydan brings back a large batch of wheat and sows field after field. 

"The wheat sprang up the best in the world. his three fields flourishing alike so that no one had seen wheat finer than that..."

Manawydan starts to reap the first field one morning. He is outraged when he finds only bare stalks, but luckily the next field is ripe. He vows to reap it the following day, but unfortunately he wakes to find the same has happened to the crop. He checks the third and last field and on finding it is still in tact, decides to get to the bottom of the mystery and keeps watch overnight. 

"While he was doing so, towards midnight, he heard the loudest noise in the world. He looked. There was a huge army of mice - they could not be counted or measured. The next thing he knew the mice were making for the field, and each one was climbing up along a stalk and bending it down, and breaking the ears and making off with the ears....And as far as he knew there was not a single stalk there without a mouse to it." 

"Dilyn y Baedd Gwyn - Following the White Boar"

The third branch of The Mabinogi centres around Pryderi, son of Pwyll, and Manawydan, brother of Bendigeidfran. After the burial of Bendigeidfran's head, the two men return to Dyfed. 

"One morning Pryderi and Manawydan get up to hunt; they get their dogs ready and leave the court. Some of the dogs run ahead of them and approach a small thicket that is nearby. But as soon as they enter the thicket they come out again quickly, their hair standing on end in fear, and return to the men." 

Pryderi and Manawydan approach the thicket and a gleaming white wild boar rose from it. 

"They followed the boar until they saw a huge, towering fort, newly built, in a place where they had never seen either stone or building. The boar was heading quickly for the fort, with the dogs after him."

"Claddedigaeth pen Bendigeidfran - The Burial of Bendigeidfran's Head"

After the great battle between Bendigeidfran &Matholwch's men (caused by Efnysien) Bendigeidfran is wounded by a poisoned spear in his foot. Knowing his fate, he orders his head to be cut off. 

"...and take my head," he said "and carry it to the Gwynfryn in London, and bury it with it's face towards France. And it will take you a long time; you will feast in Harlech for seven years, with the birds of Rhiannon singing to you. And you will find the head to be as good company as it ever was when it was on me. And you will stay for eighty years in Gwales in Penfro.......But as long as you open that door you can stay no longer. Make for London to bury my head. And now set off across the sea."  

"Crochan Aileni - Cauldron of Rebirth"

Following on from the disrespect Matholwch endures at the hands of Efnysien, Bendigeidfran tries to compensate the Irish king. 

He gives him a cauldron.

"....and the property of the cauldron is that if you throw into it one of your men who is killed today, then tomorrow he will be as good as ever except that he will not be able to speak."

"Bendigeidfran yw'r Bont - Bendigeidfran is the Bridge"

Matholwch, king of Ireland and his men run from the wrath of Bendigeidfran. He is after blood, as he has discovered Matholwch has been keeping his sister Branwen prisoner. Matholwch and his men run to the Liffey River to escape. They get to the other side of the river and then burn the bridge that crosses it. 

Bendigeidfran and his men appraoch the Liffey. 

"Lord," said his nobleman, "you know the strange thing about the river, no one can sail across it, nor is there a bridge."

"What shall we do for a bridge?" His men cried. 

"Nothing, except he who is leader, let him be a bridge...." said Benigeidfran. "I will be a bridge."

"Bendigeidfran yn Cerdded ar Draws y Mor - Bendigeidfran Walks Across the Sea"

On hearing of his sister Branwen's imprisonment at the hands of Matholwch, Bendigeidfran sets out across the Irish Sea to liberate her. Matholwch's men have no idea what is approaching them on the Irish coast. 

In confusion, Matholwch goes to Branwen.

"I know what it is." she says "The men of the Island of the Mighty coming over, having heard of my punishment and dishonour." 

"What is the forest they saw on the sea?" Matholwch asks. 

"Masts of ships and yardarms." Branwen replies. 

"Oh!" he says. "What was the mountain they saw alongside the ships?" 

"That was Bendigeidfran - my brother, wading across." she said. "There was no ship big enough to carry him." 

"Drudwy Branwen - Branwen's Starling"

The king of Ireland, Matholwch, arrives in Wales and chooses Branwen "The most beautiful girl in the world" for his wife. On hearing this news, Enfysien, Branwen's cousin is outraged that he was not consulted. He maimes and injures all of Matholwch's horses for revenge. This insult to Matholwch's honour is great and the anger simmers within him over time. He takes Branwen back to Ireland where she is accepted and has Matholwch's child. After two years however, it appears Matholwch's men have still not forgiven what happened to their horses in Wales. Matholwch bows to the murmering of dissatisfaction among his men. He forces Branwen to cook for the court and imprisons her as punishment. 

"Branwen reared a starling at the end of her kneading-trough and taught it to speak. She told the bird what kind of man her brother was. She brought a letter telling of her punishment and dishonour. The letter was tied to the base of the bird's wings, and it flew to Wales with the message."

"Llongau Iwerddon yn Dod - The Irish Ships Arrive"

One afternoon Bendigeidfran, (who was king of this island), was sat on the rock of Harlech with his men. "As they were sitting there, they could see thirteen ships coming from the south of Ireland. They were heading toward them easily and swiftly, the wind behind them. They were approaching with speed." The ships belonged to the King of Ireland, Matholwch, and he was on his way to Wales to make a union between the two countries.  

"Cipolwg Cyntaf o Rhiannon - The First Glimpse of Rhiannon"

Pwyll, prince of Dyfed and his men went for a walk one day to the top of a mound, called Gorsedd Arberth.

"Lord," said one of the court "The strange thing about the mound is that whichever nobleman sits on it, he will not leave without one of two things happening : either he will be wounded or injured, or else he will see something wonderful". Pwyll dismisses the risk of being injured, and carries on walking. They wait in suspense and eventually see a woman on a white horse approaching. Pwyll is bewitched. He sends someone on horseback to meet her, but she is too fast. After several attempts to catch up with the woman, Pwyll exclaims "For the sake of the man you love most, wait for me!"

"I will wait gladly" she replies. "....and it would have been better for the horse if you had asked that a while ago!" She fixed her gaze on him. "Lady," he said "where do you come from and where are you going?" 

"Going about my business" said Rhiannon ".....and I am glad to see you." 

"Pwyll, Tywysog Dyfed, ac Arawn Tywysog yr Annwn" - "Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, and Arawn, Prince of the Underworld --- Indian Ink and Gouache

Pwyll and Arawn meet one day while hunting,  they're first meeting is hostile as Pwyll's dogs kill a stag Arawn claims to be his.  For this, Pwyll asks Arawn what he can do to win his friendship. Arawn asks him to take his place and body in the Underworld for one year so that he can kill his nemesis Hagfran. They swap lives, and Pwyll fulfills his quest. He stays true to his word, returns to Dyfed and from that day onwards has a firm alliance with Arawn and the Underworld.