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Manawydan fab Llŷr, a MythSource painting
Welsh

Manawydan fab Llŷr

01Identity

Manawydan fab Llŷr in Welsh tradition

At Narberth, Rhiannon and Kicva prepare a feast for Manawydan and Pryderi. In Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 English Mabinogion, the companions settle in Dyfed and hunt for food. Later, Manawydan returns carrying a burden of wheat. He bargains with Llwyd over the mouse and the captives Pryderi and Rhiannon, requiring the enchantment over Dyfed to end as well. Llwyd agrees to restore the two captives and lift the charm. Manawydan refuses to release the mouse until the terms are met. When Rhiannon and Pryderi appear, Llwyd frees his wife and changes her back into a young woman. Manawydan looks over fields now tilled and full of herds and dwellings.

SourceThe Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, p. 398· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, p. 402· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, p. 404· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, p. 408· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, pp. 409–410

Top questions

The quick answers

02Family

Manawydan fab Llŷr’s family, at a glance

Manawydan fab LlŷrGodess Dôn
03The myths

The myths of Manawydan fab Llŷr

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Manawydan and the enchanted Dyfed

In Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 Mabinogion, Manawydan returns to Dyfed with Pryderi and Rhiannon after a journey from Lloegyr. At Narberth, Rhiannon and Kicva have prepared a feast. Manawydan and Rhiannon sit and speak together. He and his companions later live by hunting around Narberth. On a later return to Dyfed, Manawydan carries a burden of wheat. These events lead to a bargain with Llwyd, whose wife has been caught in mouse form.

Manawydan first requires the release of Pryderi and Rhiannon. When Llwyd agrees, Manawydan keeps the mouse and insists that the enchantment over the seven cantrefs of Dyfed must end too. Llwyd accepts both terms. When Pryderi and Rhiannon appear, Manawydan greets them. Llwyd then frees his wife and restores her appearance with a magic wand. At Llwyd's direction, Manawydan looks across the land: the fields are tilled, with herds and dwellings again.

Manawydan and the enchanted Dyfed, a MythSource painting of the scene

6 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
  6. 6The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1