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Branwen ferch Llŷr, a MythSource painting
Welsh

Branwen ferch Llŷr

01Identity

Branwen ferch Llŷr in Welsh tradition

Ships from Ireland approach Bendigeidfran's court, where Matholwch seeks Branwen in marriage. His envoys present the match as an alliance between Ireland and the Island of the Mighty, if Bendigeidfran consents. Later, a man who calls Branwen his sister learns she was given without his consent, calls it an insult and attacks Matholwch's horses. Bendigeidfran then crosses the sea with his host, carrying provisions on his back through shallow water. In Ireland, messengers offer terms: Matholwch will yield his kingdom's authority, pay homage and make a house large enough for both hosts. At the end, Branwen mourns the ruin of both islands. She dies, and her grave is made beside the Alaw. These events appear in Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 English Mabinogion.

SourceThe Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr, p. 370· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr, p. 371· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr, p. 377· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr, p. 379· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Branwen, the Daughter of Llyr, p. 382

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The quick answers

02The myths

The myths of Branwen ferch Llŷr

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Branwen and Bendigeidfran's Ireland expedition

Matholwch, king of Ireland, came by ship to seek Branwen in marriage. His envoys described the proposed match as an alliance between Ireland and the Island of the Mighty. They said Matholwch would not land unless his petition were granted. The account later records Branwen as married to him. A man who called her his sister protested that she had been given without his consent, named it an insult and mutilated Matholwch's horses.

Bendigeidfran then crossed the sea with a host. At the Lli and Archan, he reached shoal water while the sea was crowded with armies. He carried provisions on his back as the host advanced into Ireland. Matholwch's messengers offered peace if he yielded his kingdom's authority, paid homage and built a house for both hosts. They carried the proposal back to Bendigeidfran. At the end, Branwen mourned the ruin of both islands. She died, and her grave was made on the bank of the Alaw.

Branwen and Bendigeidfran's Ireland expedition, a MythSource painting of the scene

5 sources· checked 2026-09-28

  1. 1The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  2. 2The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  3. 3The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  4. 4The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  5. 5The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1