Antonio FatenEurope is rich with legends that add layers of mystery, wonder, and horror. Among its ancient cultures, one stands out: the Welsh, descendants of the early inhabitants of the British Isles, particularly the Celts who settled there between 500-100 BCE. These original Iron Age settlers were gradually pushed westward by Roman and Saxon invasions, eventually establishing themselves in the land we now call Wales. It was here that their stories and legends, like the famed Mabinogion, would emerge.
Orals of Legends
The Mabinogion is a collection of Welsh tales and poems chronicling battles, mythical encounters, and the rich history of this land. One particular legend within these stories stands out—a tale of giants, blurred moral lines, and complex family loyalties. The second branch of this poem tells of two giants, Llaes Gyfnewid and his wife, Cymydei Cymeinfoll, who once resided beneath a lake in Ireland, known as “The Lake of the Cauldron.” The Irish king Matholwch initially offered them shelter, only to drive them away when he and his men attempted to burn them alive. The giants fled to Wales, where they were welcomed by the Welsh king, Bendigeidfran.
As a token of gratitude, the giants gifted Bendigeidfran the Pair Dadeni, a mystical cauldron capable of bringing the dead back to life—albeit as silent souls. Not long after, King Matholwch sought the hand of Bendigeidfran’s sister, Branwen. However, their half-brother, Efnisien, vehemently objected to the union, expressing his disapproval by mutilating Matholwch’s prized horses. To make amends, Bendigeidfran offered Matholwch the Pair Dadeni and sent Branwen with him to Ireland.
The marriage was fraught with strife, and ultimately, Bendigeidfran led a fleet to Ireland to rescue his sister. Conflict erupted when Efnisien killed Matholwch’s son, Gwern, sparking a brutal battle. Though many Irish warriors fell, the Pair Dadeni allowed them to rise again, prolonging the bloody conflict. Realizing this, Efnisien sacrificed himself by leaping into the cauldron, shattering it from within and ending its power. Though the Welsh ultimately won, King Bendigeidfran was mortally wounded, and Branwen died of a broken heart.
Tales of the Assistant Pig Keeper
This tale of heroism, sacrifice, and loss has become a cornerstone of Welsh mythology, inspiring many, including renowned author Lloyd Alexander. Fascinated by Welsh legends, Alexander crafted The Chronicles of Prydain, a five-book series following Taran, an Assistant Pig Keeper, who dreams of becoming a hero but learns valuable lessons about bravery and growth through his adventures.
Alexander’s work, influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, found widespread acclaim and caught the attention of Walt Disney Studios in the 1980s. Disney adapted The Black Cauldron, the second book in the series, into an animated film. The movie, though significantly condensed and with the villain Arawn replaced by the sinister Horned King, became a cult classic. Known for its dark tone and absence of musical numbers, it remains one of Disney’s most unique and haunting films.
The legacy of the Welsh endures, preserved in part through Alexander’s works and the ancient Mabinogion itself. Today, storytellers continue to craft legends that captivate new generations—just don’t use a cauldron to bring back the dead. Let them rest in peace.
Read More From The Able Show Contributors
https://theableshow.com/from-welsh-to-the-world
Works Cited:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088814
https://prydain.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Crochan
https://folklorethursday.com/legends/ancient-celtic-cauldrons-the-magical-the-mythical-the-real/