Pryderi

Pryderi
Mabinogi character
Pryderi's death in single combat. Image by E. Wallcousins.
In-universe information
SpeciesHuman
GenderMale
Spouse(s)Cigfa ferch Gwyn Glohoyw
ParentsPwyll (father), Rhiannon (mother)
FamilyManawydan (step-father), Hefeydd (maternal grandfather)
Welsh mythology character
Found inPwyll Pendefig Dyfed, Branwen ferch Llŷr, Manawydan fab Llŷr, Math fab Mathonwy
NationalityBritish (Demetian)

Pryderi fab Pwyll is a prominent figure in Welsh mythology, the son of Pwyll and Rhiannon, and king of Dyfed after his father's death. He is the only character to appear in all Four Branches of the Mabinogi, although the size of his role varies from tale to tale. He is often equated with the divine son figure of Mabon ap Modron,[1] while Jeffrey Gantz compares him to Peredur fab Efrawg, who is himself associated with the continental figure of Sir Percival de Galles.[2]

Ifor Williams speculated that he was once the focal character of the Mabinogi as a whole, although some subsequent scholars disagree with this theory.[2]

Pryderi is described by Jeffrey Gantz as "bold and enterprising, but rash to the point of foolishness." He goes on to say that "his downfall, while pathetic, is not entirely undeserved."[3]

  1. ^ Davies, Sioned. The Mabinogion. 2005. Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ a b The Mabinogion. Translated with an introduction by Jeffrey Gantz. 1976. Penguin Books, London.
  3. ^ The Mabinogion. Gantz, Jeffrey. 1976.