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Rhiannon, a MythSource painting
Welsh

Rhiannon

01Identity

Rhiannon in Welsh tradition

Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 English Mabinogion tells of Rhiannon's courtship with Pwyll. She names herself, chooses him as her husband and later bears a son. When the child disappears, his attendants accuse her, and she accepts a public penance until the boy is recognised. Rhiannon also appears in the later story of enchanted Dyfed. She arrives with Pryderi, and Manawydan later demands freedom for them both. Llwyd promises their release and Rhiannon returns when the bargain is fulfilled. These are two episodes in Guest's telling, with the Dyfed story shared among several figures.

SourceThe Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 352· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 354· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 357· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 347· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 348· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, p. 353· The 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. 408· The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): Manawyddan, the Son of Llyr, pp. 409–410

Top questions

The quick answers

02Family

Rhiannon’s family, at a glance

Rhiannon

with Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed

03The myths

The myths of Rhiannon

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Rhiannon's courtship, child loss and recognition

In Lady Charlotte Guest's 1877 English Mabinogion, Rhiannon seeks Pwyll out and tells him she would choose him over the match arranged for her. They arrange to meet again a year later, and she says she will become his bride then. At a feast in Narberth, she gives gifts to the people gathered there. Later, after their child disappears, the women who cared for him accuse Rhiannon of devouring him. She denies the charge, but the accusation spreads through the land and reaches Pwyll's court.

Rhiannon accepts a penance. For seven years she must remain at Narberth, sitting by the horse-block outside the gate and telling visitors what has happened. When a boy is brought to the court, those present recognise him as Pwyll's son. Rhiannon says that her trouble has ended, and Pendaran names the child Pryderi. The years of accusation end with the child's return to his parents.

Rhiannon's courtship, child loss and recognition, 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

Also mentioned in

Stories elsewhere on MythSource that mention Rhiannon, each on that figure’s page.