Can Pwyll & Rhiannon provide an heir to the Kingdom?

Part 11 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion. Doubt begins to enter the minds of the people of Dyfed as their Lord and his Lady show no signs of producing an heir. The High Council of Druids put pressure on Pwyll to divorce his Fairy Bride and take a more 'fruitful' woman to his bed!

This episode is also the 11th episode of the First Branch of the Mabinogi.

Running Order:

We hope you enjoy it!

Gary & Ruthie x x x

Released: 21 Mar 2015, 43m, 42Mb

It's always great to hear from you! garyandruth@celticmythpodshow.com, Speakpipe

Sabbat by Damh the Bard

Damh the Bard

Damh tells us that this is an old traditional English folk Song, which has elements of a Scarborough Faire and another song, called Elfin Lover. The songs have become merged over the years.

Names Used in this Story

Listed in order of appearance

  • Pwyll
  • Dyfed
  • Rhiannon
  • Wales
  • Pendaran
  • Cantrefs
  • Cantrevs
  • Arberth
  • Preseleu
  • True Companions
  • Delwyn
  • Annwn
  • Fae/Fey
  • Ceryss
  • Calan Mai
  • Bychan

Map of Pre-Roman Wales

The Map, circa 40 AD, shows the territories occupied by the Brythonic tribes at the time. Our story takes place in Dyfed which is in Demetian lands.

Listener Feedback

Chris

St. Piran's Cross

We had a great question from Chris in South Australia about Celtic tattoos, specifically about any that are Cornish in nature. As we say in the show, there aren't many original and ancient designs from Cornwall. There are a few books that may help with more general Celtic knotwork or art. We recommend having a look at:-

We suggested either using a variant of St. Piran's Cross or a form of the Piskie - the little pixie unique to Cornwall. We have images of both (and the Tintagel Labyrinth) below.

Field Piskie by Josee Saurus

The Tintagel Labyrinth from the Cornish Store

 

Promo - Live Wire! Podcast Radio - Savvy

Live Wire! Podcast Radio

We think we've found Chris' podcast for you. He calls himself Savvy and showcases superb music on his Radio Podcast. You will not come across a finer Multi-Skilled Producer then SAVVY!! Skilled in Audio, New Media and Television Production techniques, Savvy has been a professional in the entertainment industry for the past 12 years in various markets from Live audio and sound design to music production and Television. He also does new media works which also involves video and editing. Join the sav each week on Live Wire! Podcast Radio. You can also email him - chrisontheradio@hotmail.com

Lindsey Stirling

We used the beginning of one of his superb shows (the amazing episode featuring Lindsey Stirling!) as a Promo for his Radio Podcast. Make sure you go and listen at Live Wire! Podcast Radio. Lindsey Stirling is well known as breaking the mould with her rocking violin and astoundly energetic stage shows! Find out more about Lindsey on her website.

Music - Sabbat

Damh the Bard

Sabbat

Sabbat, the opening track on the album, is a rousing song about the eight seasonal festivals of the year (known as sabbats to Wiccans). Whether in Druidry or in Wicca, or in our distant past these times of the year are special to the Old Gods. Damh celebrates these great community celebrations with this superb song. Make sure you check out Damh's new album and where to get it on his website or on our Contributor Page. He has also made a video about his feelings for this song (as well as the others on the album) which you can find on YouTube.

 

Additional Thanks

 

Kristoffer Hughes

We'd like to send out a shout of thanks to Kristoffer Hughes for his help with some of the Welsh language used in this episode. Kris Hughes is a native Welsh speaker, born to a Welsh family in the mountains of Snowdonia in 1971. He lives on the Island of Anglesey, Wales, the ancestral seat of the British Druids. His love of Celtic literature and traditions guided his path into the exploration and practice of Celtic paganism. He is the founder and Head of the Anglesey Druid Order and studies with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.

Badge of the A.D.O.

In 2012 he was awarded the Mount Haemus Scholarship for original research in Druidism and related subjects. Kristoffer frequently presents workshops and lectures throughout the United Kingdom. His love of Celtic heritage and culture caused him to pen his first book "Natural Druidry" in 2007 and he is currently writing for Llewellyn Worldwide publications in the USA. [source]

 

Huge Thanks to Special Guest Actors

 

Damh the Bard

Damh the Bard

Damh, taking on the role of Gwawl and other parts in the second half of our re-telling of the First Branch, is a musical storyteller who works within the world of myth that cannot be proved; where the Faerie really do dance on Midsummer's Eve, where the trees talk, and the Hollow Hills take you into the realms of Annwn. Where the Goddess rides her horse, guiding you to magic, and the Horned God of old calls us from the shadows of the Greenwood.

You can find out more about Damh and his work on his website at paganmusic.co.uk or on our Contributor page.

 

Cerri Lee

Cerri Lee

Cerri Lee, playing the role of Rhiannon, is a multi-talented visonary artist who can turn her hand to almost anything creative. She is inspired by nature, and the ancient Pagan myths and legends of many cultures, her beliefs as a modern day Druid as well as those around her. Cerri is equally in her element when she is up to her elbows in clay or painting one of her fabulous pictures. She is partner to Druid musican and long-time supporter of our show, Damh the Bard and can be found supporting him at many of his performances.

 

Emma Doubleday

Emma Doubleday

Our dear friend, Emma, is an Essex girl, born and bred. As an actress and artist of some renown, we are privileged to feature her voice talents on this show as one of Rhiannon's Hand-maidens. Check out her work and biography on her Contributor Page.

 

Extra Special Thanks to Show Friends

 

Kevin Skinner

Kevin Skinner

We are very proud to feature another dear friend, Kevin Skinner in this show as he sets the mood for the beginning of our story with his beautiful track At the Gates of Dinas Afferon from his album Fire Walk With Me. You can find out more about Kevin's wonderful music and services on his website or more details on his Contributor Page.

 

Our Sources for the Episode

Places Mentioned in the First Branch, Fascinating website.

Bullfinch's Mythology, The Celts, section 8.

The Mabinogion, pp ix-xxxvi, 3-21, 227-232, Sioned Davies, Oxford, 2007, ISBN 978-0-19-283242

The Mabinogion, pp 9-41, 45-65, Jeffrey Gantz, Penguin, 1976, ISBN 0-14-044322-3

The Mabinogion, pp ix-xliv, 3-24, 275-278, Gwyn Jones & Thomas Jones, Dent & Dutton, 1977, ISBN 0-460-01097-2. Can also be found online at www.donaldcorrell.com

Pwyll Pendeuc Dyfed, Lady Charlotte Guest, Mary Jones

Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, Lady Charlotte Guest, 1877, Sacred Texts

Notes to Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, Lady Charlotte Guest, 1877, Sacred Texts

The Mabinogion, Lady Charlotte Guest, 1849, Project Gutenberg

The Mabinogi of Pwyll, W. M. Parker, mabiongi.net. Notes at mabinogion.info

'The Lord of Dyfed', from Legends of the Celts, p.134ff, Frank Delaney, HarperCollins, 1991, ISBN 0-586-21151-9

Tales from the Mabinogion, Gwyn Thomas & Kevin Crossley-Holland, Gollancz, 1984, ISBN 0-575-03531-5

Celtic Myths & Legends, p.147ff, Michael Foss, Selectabook Ltd., 1998, ISBN 0-75252-402-X

Prince of Annwn, Evangeline Walton, Del Rey, 1974, ISBN 0-345-27060-6

Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom, p.117, 156, Caitlin & John Matthews, Element, 1994, ISBN 1-85230-560-6

The Celts, p.211, Frank Delaney, Grafton, 1989, ISBN 0-586-20349-4

Women in Celtic Myth, Moyra Caldecott, Arrow, ISBN 0-09-955920-X

Celtic Heritage, p.41 ff, Alwyn & Brinley Rees, Thames & Hudson, 1978, ISBN 978-0500110089

Pagan Celtic Britain, p.288, Anne Ross, Constable, 1967, ISBN 0-09-472330-3

'Myth in the Mabiogion', from A Celtic Reader, p.151, John Matthews, Aquarian, ISBN 0-85030-935-2

Celtic Myths and Legends, p.356 ff, T. W. Rolleston, 1995, ISBN 978-1859580066

Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx Vol.2, pp 499ff, John Rhys, Wildwood House, 1980, ISBN 0-7045-0406-5

The White Goddess, p.215ff, Robert Graves, Faber, 1952

http://www.maryjones.us/jce/eufyd.html, Hyfaidd Hen as one of the Children of Don.

Mabinogi Study: Enlivening Y Mabinogi, Welsh Pronounciation for the Mabinogi

And, of course, the Awen - inspiration and imagination!

Special Thanks

For Incidental Music

Kevin Skinner, for At The Gates of Dinas Afferon from Fire Walk With Me. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details.

Zero Project, for Darkness Falls from Gothic. See his Contributor Page for more details.

Kevin MacLeod, for Pepper's Theme, End of the Era and Anguish. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details.

Tactical Warfare, Top of the World and Espionage from Free Stock Music.

Theresa Schroeder-Sheker for Ma Navu from Rosa Mystica. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details.

Diane Arkenstone The Secret Garden. See her Contributor page for details.

Kim Robertson The Hangman's Noose. See her Contributor page for details.

Jigger Time Ticks Away. See her Contributor page for details.

For our Theme Music

The Skylark and Haghole, the brilliant Culann's Hounds. See their Contributor page for details.

Extra Special Thanks for Unrestricted Access to Wonderful Music

(in Alphabetic order)

Anne Roos Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of her masterful music to Anne Roos. You can find out more about Anne on her website or on her Contributor page.

Caera Extra Special thanks go for permission to any of her evocative harping and Gaelic singing to Caera. You can find out more about Caera on her website or on her Contributor Page.

Celia Extra Special Thanks go for permission to use any of her wonderful music to Celia Farran. You can find out more about Celia on her website or on her Contributor Page.

Damh the Bard Extra Special thanks go to Damh the Bard for his permission to use any of his music on the Show. You can find out more about Damh (Dave) on his website or on his Contributor page.

The Dolmen Extra Special thanks also go to The Dolmen, for their permission to use any of their fantastic Celtic Folk/Rock music on the Show. You can find out more about The Dolmen on their website or on our Contributor page.

Keltoria Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of their inspired music to Keltoria. You can find out more about Keltoria on their website or on their Contributor page.

Kevin Skinner Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of his superb music to Kevin Skinner. You can find out more about Kevin on his website or on his Contributor page.

Phil Thornton Extra Special Thanks go for permisssion to use any of his astounding ambient music to the Sonic Sorcerer himself, Phil Thornton. You can find out more about Phil on his website or on his Contributor Page.

S.J. Tucker Extra Special thanks go to Sooj for her permission to use any of her superb music. You can find out more about Sooj on her website or on her Contributor page.

Spiral Dance Extra Special thanks go for permission to use Adrienne and the band to use any of their music in the show. You can find out more about Spiral Dance on their website or on their Contributor page.

We'd like to wish you 'Hwyl fawr!', which is Welsh for Goodbye and have fun, or more literally Wishing a Good Mood on you!

 

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We'd like to wish you 'Hwyl fawr!', which is Welsh for Goodbye and have fun, or more literally Wishing a Good Mood on you!

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