Matholwch
Encyclopedia
Matholwch, King of Ireland
, is a character in the Second Branch
of the Mabinogi, the tale of Branwen
ferch Llŷr
.
The story opens with Bran
, King of Britain, sitting on a rock by the sea at Harlech
and seeing the vessels of Matholwch approaching. Matholwch has come to ask for the hand of Bran's sister Branwen
in marriage. Bran agrees to this, and a feast is held to clebrate the betrothal. While the feast is going on, Efnisien
, a half-brother of Branwen and Bran, arrived and asked why there were celebrations. On being told, he was furious that his half sister had been given in marriage without his consent, and vented his spleen by mutilating Matholwch's horses. Matholwch was deeply offended, but was conciliated by Bran
who gave him a magical cauldron which could bring the dead to life.
Once they were married, Matholwch treated Branwen cruelly and she was forced to work in the kitchens. Branwen tamed a starling and gave it a message to carry across the Irish Sea to Bran, who set out for Ireland to rescue her. When Matholwch saw the giant, he asked for peace and built a house big enough for him. Matholwch agreed to give the kingdom to Gwern
, his son by Branwen. The Irish lords didn't like the idea, so they hid themselves in flour bags to attack the Welsh. Efnisien guessed what was happening and killed them by squeezing their heads inside the sacks, then threw Gwern into the fire.
In the ensuing war, all the Irish were killed save for five pregnant women who repopulated the island, while only seven of the Welsh survived to return home with Branwen, taking with them the severed head of Bran. On landing in Wales at Aber Alaw
Branwen died of grief that so much destruction had been caused on her account.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, is a character in the Second Branch
Four Branches of the Mabinogi
The Four Branches of the Mabinogi are the best known tales from the collection of medieval Welsh prose known as the Mabinogion. The word "Mabinogi" originally designated only these four tales, which are really parts or "branches" of a single work, rather than the whole collection...
of the Mabinogi, the tale of Branwen
Branwen
Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr is a major character in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, which is sometimes called the Mabinogi of Branwen after her. Branwen is a daughter of Llŷr and Penarddun...
ferch Llŷr
Llyr
Llŷr is a figure in Welsh mythology, the father of Brân, Brânwen and Manawydan by Penarddun. The Welsh Triads mention he was imprisoned by Euroswydd; the Second Branch of the Mabinogi names Euroswydd as the father of Penarddun's younger two sons, Nisien and Efnisien. Llŷr corresponds to Lir in...
.
The story opens with Bran
Bran the Blessed
Brân the Blessed is a giant and king of Britain in Welsh mythology. He appears in several of the Welsh Triads, but his most significant role is in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, Branwen ferch Llŷr. He is a son of Llŷr and Penarddun, and the brother of Brânwen, Manawydan, Nisien and Efnysien...
, King of Britain, sitting on a rock by the sea at Harlech
Harlech
Harlech is a town and seaside resort in Gwynedd, within the historical boundaries of Merionethshire in northwest Wales. Lying on Tremadog Bay and within the Snowdonia National Park, it has a population of 1,952, of whom 59% speak Welsh...
and seeing the vessels of Matholwch approaching. Matholwch has come to ask for the hand of Bran's sister Branwen
Branwen
Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr is a major character in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, which is sometimes called the Mabinogi of Branwen after her. Branwen is a daughter of Llŷr and Penarddun...
in marriage. Bran agrees to this, and a feast is held to clebrate the betrothal. While the feast is going on, Efnisien
Efnisien
Efnysien fab Euroswydd is a sadistic anti-hero in Welsh mythology, appearing prominently in the tale of Branwen ferch Llŷr, the second branch of the Mabinogi...
, a half-brother of Branwen and Bran, arrived and asked why there were celebrations. On being told, he was furious that his half sister had been given in marriage without his consent, and vented his spleen by mutilating Matholwch's horses. Matholwch was deeply offended, but was conciliated by Bran
Bran
Bran is the hard outer layer of grain and consists of combined aleurone and pericarp. Along with germ, it is an integral part of whole grains, and is often produced as a by-product of milling in the production of refined grains. When bran is removed from grains, the grains lose a portion of their...
who gave him a magical cauldron which could bring the dead to life.
Once they were married, Matholwch treated Branwen cruelly and she was forced to work in the kitchens. Branwen tamed a starling and gave it a message to carry across the Irish Sea to Bran, who set out for Ireland to rescue her. When Matholwch saw the giant, he asked for peace and built a house big enough for him. Matholwch agreed to give the kingdom to Gwern
Gwern
; "Alder," is a minor figure in Welsh tradition, the son of Matholwch king of Ireland, and Branwen, sister to the king of Britain. He appears in the tale of Branwen, daughter of Llŷr, in which he is murdered by his sadistic uncle Efnysien which sparks a mutually destructive battle between Britain...
, his son by Branwen. The Irish lords didn't like the idea, so they hid themselves in flour bags to attack the Welsh. Efnisien guessed what was happening and killed them by squeezing their heads inside the sacks, then threw Gwern into the fire.
In the ensuing war, all the Irish were killed save for five pregnant women who repopulated the island, while only seven of the Welsh survived to return home with Branwen, taking with them the severed head of Bran. On landing in Wales at Aber Alaw
Aber Alaw
Aber Alaw is at the mouth of the Afon Alaw on Anglesey, in North Wales. According to the Mabinogion, it is here that Queen Branwen died of grief after escaping the destruction of Ireland...
Branwen died of grief that so much destruction had been caused on her account.