Pwyll, Prince of Dyved, is a central figure in one of the traditional Welsh narratives preserved in The Mabinogion. His story brings together the human and supernatural worlds through encounters with mysterious rulers, extraordinary challenges, and events that test the character of those involved.
At the beginning, Pwyll is a prince who makes an error of courtesy while hunting in the forest. That mistake brings him face to face with Arawn, the king of Annwvyn, a mysterious other-world. Their meeting develops into an unusual friendship, strengthened by an agreement that requires Pwyll to take another king’s place for a year.
Pwyll’s adventures do not end with his return to Dyved. He later meets Rhiannon, a remarkable woman whose arrival changes the course of his life. Their marriage brings happiness, but the disappearance of their newborn son creates a painful crisis. Through loyalty, patience, and an unexpected discovery, the family eventually reunites.
Pwyll’s Hunting Expedition
Pwyll ruled the seven Cantrevs of Dyved, and his principal palace stood at Narberth. One day, he decided to go hunting in Glyn Cuch. He left Narberth during the night, travelled as far as Llwyn Diarwyd, and rested there until morning.
At daybreak, he continued into the forest. He released his hounds, sounded his hunting horn, and followed the chase. As he moved through the woodland, he became separated from his companions.
While listening to his own dogs, Pwyll heard the cries of another pack approaching from the opposite direction. Their voices sounded different from those of his hounds, so he followed the unfamiliar noise until he reached an open glade.
There, he saw a stag being pursued by a group of unusual dogs. Their bodies were brilliantly white, while their ears were red. Pwyll had never seen hounds with such striking colours.
The strange dogs caught the stag and brought it down. Instead of waiting to discover who owned them, Pwyll drove them away and set his own hounds upon the animal.
His action soon brought an unexpected visitor.
The Arrival of Arawn, King of Annwvyn
A horseman approached Pwyll. He rode a large, light-grey horse, carried a hunting horn, and wore grey hunting clothes.
The stranger greeted Pwyll with an accusation rather than a friendly welcome. He explained that he knew who Pwyll was but had deliberately refused to greet him because of his discourteous behaviour.
Pwyll asked what offence he had committed. The horseman replied that driving away another person’s dogs while they were bringing down a stag was a serious breach of courtesy.
Pwyll recognised his mistake and offered to make amends. He also asked the stranger to identify himself.
The horseman revealed that he was Arawn, a crowned king from Annwvyn. He explained that another ruler, Havgan, constantly troubled his kingdom through warfare. Arawn wanted to defeat this enemy and offered Pwyll an opportunity to help him.
Arawn proposed an unusual arrangement. He would exchange appearances with Pwyll, allowing the prince to enter Annwvyn in his form. Meanwhile, Arawn would take Pwyll’s appearance and rule Dyved in his place.
The arrangement would last for one year. During that time, Pwyll would live in Arawn’s palace, receive the respect given to the king, and prepare to meet Havgan in battle.
Arawn gave him one important instruction: when he struck Havgan down, he must refuse to deliver a second blow, even if the wounded king begged for it.
Pwyll accepted the agreement, and Arawn guided him towards the palace of Annwvyn.
Pwyll’s Year in Annwvyn
When Pwyll arrived at Arawn’s court, nobody recognised that he was not their rightful king. The servants welcomed him, helped him change his hunting clothes, and dressed him in fine garments of silk and gold.
The royal household treated him with great respect. At the evening feast, he met Arawn’s queen, whom he regarded as exceptionally beautiful and noble in conversation.
Pwyll spent the following months enjoying the activities of the court. He hunted, listened to music, attended feasts, and spoke with his companions. Throughout the year, he maintained the appearance of Arawn and fulfilled the responsibilities expected of him.
Eventually, the appointed night arrived.
Arawn’s nobles gathered for the meeting between their king and Havgan. The two rulers met at a ford, where they agreed to settle their dispute through combat.
Pwyll, still wearing Arawn’s appearance, faced Havgan. At the first encounter, he struck his opponent with such force that Havgan’s shield and armour broke, sending him from his horse with a deadly wound.
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Havgan pleaded with him to deliver another blow and end his life. However, Pwyll remembered Arawn’s instruction and refused.
The wounded king was carried away by his followers. Pwyll then addressed the nobles and asked them to recognise him as their ruler. They agreed that the kingdom should come under his authority.
By the following day, both kingdoms of Annwvyn had come under his power.
Pwyll had fulfilled the task Arawn had given him.
The Friendship Between Pwyll and Arawn
After the victory, Pwyll returned to Glyn Cuch, where Arawn waited for him. The two rulers were pleased to meet again.
Arawn restored Pwyll’s original appearance, and each returned to his own kingdom. Arawn went back to his court, where his household welcomed him as usual because nobody had discovered the exchange.
Pwyll also returned to Dyved. He asked his nobles how the kingdom had been governed during the previous year.
They praised his rule, explaining that he had shown greater wisdom, generosity, kindness, and justice than ever before. Pwyll then revealed that Arawn had ruled in his place and deserved their gratitude.
The nobles were pleased to hear about the friendship between the two rulers. Pwyll assured them that he would continue the good practices they had experienced.
From that time, Pwyll and Arawn maintained a strong friendship. They exchanged horses, greyhounds, hawks, and other valuable gifts.
Because Pwyll had ruled Annwvyn successfully and brought its two kingdoms together, he received a new title. He became known as Pwyll Chief of Annwvyn.
The Mysterious Lady on the White Horse
Some time later, Pwyll held a feast at his palace in Narberth. After the first meal, he went to the top of a mound known as Gorsedd Arberth.
One of his attendants explained that the mound had a strange reputation. Anyone who sat upon it would either experience wounds and blows or witness a wonder.
Pwyll was not afraid of the warning. He chose to sit there because he wished to see what might happen.
As he waited, the company noticed a beautiful lady approaching along the road. She rode a large white horse and wore a shining golden garment.
Pwyll asked whether anyone recognised her. Nobody did, so he ordered one of his men to follow her and discover who she was.
The attendant tried to catch up with her on foot, but the more quickly he ran, the farther away she seemed to move.
Pwyll then instructed another young man to pursue her on the fastest horse available. The attempt failed as well. Although the lady appeared to travel at an ordinary pace, the horse could not draw closer to her.
The following day, Pwyll returned to the mound with his companions. The same lady appeared again, and another rider attempted to follow her. Once more, the horse could not catch her.
On the third day, Pwyll decided to pursue her himself. He mounted his horse and rode after her as quickly as he could, but the distance between them remained unchanged.
At last, he called out and asked her to stop in the name of the person she loved most.
The lady agreed. She explained that it would have been better for his horse if he had asked sooner.
She then revealed her face and spoke to him. Pwyll was immediately struck by her beauty and graceful manner.
Rhiannon Declares Her Love
The lady introduced herself as Rhiannon, the daughter of Heveydd Hên.
She explained that her family had arranged for her to marry another man, but she did not wish to accept him. She had come to find Pwyll because she loved him and wanted to know whether he would take her as his wife.
Pwyll gladly accepted her proposal. He told her that he would choose her above all other women.
Rhiannon asked him to promise that he would meet her at her father’s palace one year later. She would arrange a feast for his arrival, and he agreed to keep the appointment.
When the year had passed, Pwyll travelled to the palace of Heveydd Hên with one hundred knights. He received a warm welcome, and a great feast was prepared in his honour.
During the celebration, a tall young man with auburn hair entered the hall. He greeted Pwyll and asked him for a favour.
Pwyll, wishing to show generosity, promised to grant whatever request lay within his power.
The young man then revealed that he wanted Rhiannon as his bride.
Pwyll was troubled because he had already promised to grant the stranger’s request. Rhiannon recognised the young man as Gwawl, the son of Clud, the suitor whom she had never wanted to marry.
She rebuked Pwyll for making such a promise without first discovering what the stranger wanted. However, she also devised a plan that would prevent Gwawl from taking her away.
Rhiannon’s Plan to Defeat Gwawl
Rhiannon instructed Pwyll to return to Dyved and wait another year. She gave him a small magical bag and explained how he could use it to overcome Gwawl.
When the next feast arrived, Pwyll would disguise himself in coarse, ragged clothes and enter the hall as a poor stranger. He would ask Gwawl for nothing more than a bagful of food.
The bag would remain empty no matter how much food the attendants placed inside it. Eventually, Gwawl would become curious and ask how it could be filled.
Pwyll would explain that the bag could only become full if a wealthy and noble man stepped inside it and pressed down the food with both feet.
Rhiannon expected Gwawl to volunteer. Once he entered, Pwyll would pull the bag over his head, tie it securely, and sound a horn to summon his knights.
Pwyll followed the instructions carefully.
When the appointed year arrived, Gwawl held the feast at Heveydd Hên’s palace, believing that Rhiannon would finally become his wife. Pwyll arrived in disguise, carrying the magical bag.
He asked Gwawl to fill it with food. The attendants tried, but the bag remained empty.
Gwawl eventually asked whether it would ever become full. Pwyll explained the condition, and Rhiannon encouraged Gwawl to step inside.
As soon as he placed both feet in the bag, Pwyll pulled it over his head and tied it shut. He then sounded his horn.
Pwyll’s knights rushed into the palace and seized Gwawl’s companions. The knights struck the bag while asking what it contained. They called their activity the game of Badger in the Bag.
Gwawl begged to be released. Heveydd Hên advised Pwyll to listen to him, and Rhiannon proposed a settlement.
Gwawl would provide gifts to the suitors and minstrels in Pwyll’s place and promise never to seek revenge for what had happened. Pwyll accepted this arrangement, and Gwawl was released.
The feast continued peacefully. The following day, Pwyll and Rhiannon prepared to leave together for Dyved.
The Birth and Disappearance of Pwyll’s Son
Pwyll and Rhiannon returned to Narberth, where the people welcomed them with celebration. Rhiannon gave valuable gifts to the leading men and noble women of the land.
They ruled Dyved prosperously. However, after three years of marriage, the nobles became concerned that Pwyll had no heir.
They approached him and suggested that he should take another wife if Rhiannon could not give him a son. Pwyll refused to abandon her immediately and asked them to allow another year to pass.
Before the year ended, Rhiannon gave birth to a son.
Six women were appointed to watch over the mother and child during the night. Unfortunately, they all fell asleep. When they awoke, the baby had disappeared.
Afraid of being punished, the women decided to conceal their failure through a terrible lie. They killed some puppies, smeared their blood on Rhiannon’s face and hands, and placed the bones near her. They then accused her of devouring her own child.
Rhiannon denied the accusation and begged them to tell the truth. However, the women continued to insist that she had killed her son.
The news spread throughout Dyved, and the nobles urged Pwyll to send Rhiannon away. He refused to put her aside but agreed that she should undertake a punishment for the alleged offence.
Rhiannon accepted the judgement. She was required to remain at Narberth for seven years, sitting beside a horse-block near the palace entrance. She also had to tell visitors what had supposedly happened and offer to carry them on her back into the palace.
Although few visitors accepted her offer, she endured the punishment.
Teirnyon Discovers the Missing Child
At that time, Teirnyon Twryv Vliant, a lord of Gwent Is Coed, owned a beautiful mare. Every year, the mare gave birth on the first night of May, but nobody knew what happened to the foals.
Teirnyon became determined to discover the reason. On the next May night, he arranged for the mare to be brought indoors and stayed awake to watch her.
The mare gave birth to a fine colt. Shortly afterwards, Teirnyon heard a great disturbance. A mysterious claw reached through the window and seized the colt by its mane.
Teirnyon immediately drew his sword and struck the creature, cutting off its arm. The arm and the colt remained inside the building.
He rushed outside to follow the noise but could not see the creature in the darkness. When he returned, he discovered an infant boy lying near the entrance. The child wore a fine satin covering and appeared unusually strong for his age.
Teirnyon took the boy to his wife. Since they had no child of their own, she was delighted by the discovery. They decided to raise him as their son and named him Gwri Wallt Euryn because the hair on his head was as yellow as gold.
The child grew remarkably quickly. By the time he was four years old, he was already strong enough to handle horses.
Teirnyon and his wife also arranged for the colt rescued on the night of his discovery to be given to the boy.
The Truth About Pryderi
As the child grew, Teirnyon heard about Rhiannon’s punishment. The story troubled him, especially because the boy closely resembled Pwyll.
Teirnyon had once served Pwyll and recognised the likeness. He began to suspect that the child in his household was the missing prince.
After discussing the matter with his wife, they agreed that the boy should be returned to his rightful parents. They believed that doing so would end Rhiannon’s suffering and restore the child to his family.
Teirnyon travelled to Narberth with two companions, taking the boy with him.
When they approached the palace, they found Rhiannon sitting beside the horse-block. As part of her punishment, she offered to carry them into the palace on her back.
Teirnyon and the boy refused. They entered the palace, where Pwyll welcomed them.
During the feast, Teirnyon explained how he had discovered the child and how he and his wife had raised him. He presented the boy as Pwyll and Rhiannon’s missing son.
Everyone who saw the child recognised his resemblance to Pwyll. Rhiannon was overjoyed, for the discovery finally brought an end to her suffering.
The boy had originally been named Gwri Wallt Euryn. However, Pendaran Dyved suggested the name Pryderi, which became the name by which he was known.
Pwyll thanked Teirnyon for protecting and raising his son. He promised to support Teirnyon and his household, while also arranging for Pryderi to be brought up under the care of Pendaran Dyved. Teirnyon and his wife would remain his foster-parents.
Teirnyon returned home with honour and gratitude from the royal household.
The Later Life of Pryderi
Pryderi grew into a handsome and capable young man. He became skilled in many games and received the care and education expected of someone of his noble birth.
Years passed, and Pwyll eventually died. Pryderi succeeded him and ruled the seven Cantrevs of Dyved.
His rule was prosperous, and his people loved him. He later added the three Cantrevs of Ystrad Tywi and the four Cantrevs of Cardigan to his territories.
When he became ready to marry, Pryderi chose Kicva, the daughter of Gwynn Gohoyw.
With this account, the narrative of Pwyll Prince of Dyved comes to its conclusion.
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Moral Lessons
Pwyll’s story demonstrates the importance of courtesy, humility, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. His initial treatment of Arawn’s hounds was discourteous, but he recognised his mistake and made an effort to repair the damage. His willingness to honour his agreement with Arawn also shows the value of keeping promises.
The story also explores loyalty, patience, and the harm caused by dishonesty. Rhiannon endured an unjust punishment rather than abandon her dignity, while Teirnyon and his wife chose to return Pryderi to his family when they discovered the truth. Their actions show how honesty and compassion can help correct a serious wrong.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was Pwyll?
Pwyll was the ruler of the seven Cantrevs of Dyved, with his principal palace at Narberth.
2. Why did Arawn become displeased with Pwyll?
Pwyll drove away Arawn’s hounds while they were bringing down a stag and set his own dogs upon it.
3. What agreement did Pwyll make with Arawn?
They exchanged appearances for one year. Pwyll ruled Annwvyn in Arawn’s place, while Arawn ruled Dyved.
4. Who was Rhiannon?
Rhiannon was the daughter of Heveydd Hên. She loved Pwyll and sought to marry him despite her family’s plans for her to marry Gwawl.
5. Why was Rhiannon punished?
After her newborn son disappeared, the women watching the child falsely accused her of killing and devouring him.
6. Who discovered and raised Pwyll and Rhiannon’s missing son?
Teirnyon Twryv Vliant and his wife discovered the child and raised him as their own before returning him to his parents. He became known as Pryderi.
Source
This article is based on “Pwyll Prince of Dyved,” from The Mabinogion, translated into English by Lady Charlotte Guest.
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