Posted on 30/11/2022 by Thom
The story of Branwen is a major part of the second of four branches of the Mabinogi, which are some of the earliest prose recorded in British literature, and written in 'Middle Welsh'. Not to be confused with the wider works, The Mabinogion.
The story of Branwen, Daughter of Llŷr, begins with her brother, the giant king of the Britons, Brân the Blessed, who saw ships from Ireland approach from the rocks of Harlech. Matholwch, the King of Ireland sailed across the Irish sea to ask for Branwen's hand in marriage. Brân agrees to the union, thinking it may bring lasting peace between the two nations, and a celebration is held in honour of the proposed marriage.
However, whilst Brân had made the decision to bless the union, his and Branwen's half brother Efnysien was extremely upset that he was not consulted on the marriage. Efnysien was given to anti-social and disruptive tendencies, and upon arriving at the impromptu celebrations and learning of their engagement, flew into a fit of rage. He mutilated the Irish horses, deeply offending Matholwch, though he is consoled and calmed by Brân. As a conciliation for his brother's indiscretion, Brân gifted the Irish king a magical cauldron.
It was said that the cauldron could bring people back to life; the risen dead would be deaf and mute, but Brân did not know this, it was thought.
Branwen's life in Ireland
Branwen accompanied her new husband back to Ireland, but still deeply humiliated by the loss of his horses, Matholwch consulted his nobles who feel he was not compensated enough, and insist that Branwen must be taught a lesson to redeem his lost honour. Branwen is therefore forced to work in the kitchens and is treated very badly by her husband.
She gave birth to an heir, Gwerm, but it still was not enough to save her from a miserable life.
Branwen lived a lonely existence in Ireland and longed to return home. She tamed a starling and sent it across the Irish Sea with a message for Brân to bring forces to Ireland to rescue her.
The Raging War
Matholwch was scared of Brân, and when he got word that the Welsh giant was wading across the Irish Sea with a troop of men, he retreated beyond the river and destroyed the bridges. This did not stop Brân however, who lay down to act as a bridge for his men to walk across. Fearing a war, the King of Ireland sought to pacify Brân by building him a large house, big enough to fit him inside and to honour him properly. He also agreed to hand over his kingdom to Gwerm, his son with Branwen.
The noble lords do not approve of this and many hide in the newly-built house with the intention of attacking the Welsh.
Efnysien was entrusted to inspect the gifted house prior to the arrival of Brân and his Welsh men but Efnysien uncovered the lords who were hiding and kills them all by crushing their heads. Then at the celebratory feast for Gwern's investiture as King of Ireland, Efnysien, in a moment of rage, throws his nephew Gwern into the fire.
Chaos and war break out between the two tribes, initially with Brân's men overcoming the Irish, who then used the cauldron to bring the dead back to life.
In a moment of self-judgment, he regrets his actions in killing Gwerm, and disguised as a dead Irish soldier, is thrown into the cauldron, where he breaks it into four pieces from the inside and sacrificing himself in his attempts.
Brân's Rescue and Branwen's Heartbreak
The war rages on and leaves no survivors save for Branwen, Brân, and seven Welsh soldiers, who then set sail home. Upon reaching Wales, they realize that Brân has been hit by a poisoned arrow to his leg, and he dies. Branwen who is so overwhelmed with grief for everyone she has lost died shortly after, of a broken heart.
In her final cries, she bemoans her life which has caused the destruction of two nations, both said to be almost completely wiped out by the fighting.
Legend then has it that Brân's head, on his own orders, were brought to London where it was said that no invasion by sea would occur for as long as Brân's head was buried in White Mount.
Branwen was buried in Ynys Môn.