Llew Llaw Gyffes Claims a Fate

Mabinogion

This flow traces Llew’s emergence from his mother’s prohibitions and the restoration of his status after betrayal nearly destroys him.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Arianrod’s Refusal Arianrod’s Refusal from "Mabinogion". An Unacknowledged Son A birth concealed Arianrod gives birth to a boy but refuses to grant him a name.

Arianrod’s Refusal from "Mabinogion". An Unacknowledged Son A birth concealed Arianrod gives birth to a boy but refuses to grant him a name.

An Unacknowledged Son A birth concealed Arianrod gives birth to a boy but refuses to grant him a name. Gwydion conceals the child and raises him away from her household. A future constrained Arianrod’s successive prohibitions deny the boy a name, arms, and an ordinary wife. These declarations define the obstacles he will need to outgrow.

A Name Won A Name Won from "Mabinogion". Skill Reveals Identity A deliberate encounter Gwydion disguises himself and the youth as shoemakers.

Skill Reveals Identity A deliberate encounter Gwydion disguises himself and the youth as shoemakers. When Llew strikes a wren precisely between its sinew and bone, Arianrod praises his aim. The name is given Gwydion turns her words into the name Llew Llaw Gyffes. A moment of skill circumvents a prohibition intended to keep the boy socially unrecognized.

Arms and a Bride Arms and a Bride from "Mabinogion". A Place in the World Another restriction broken Gwydion creates the appearance of an invading army, prompting Arianrod to arm her son.

Arms and a Bride from "Mabinogion". A Place in the World Another restriction broken Gwydion creates the appearance of an invading army, prompting Arianrod to arm her son.

A Place in the World Another restriction broken Gwydion creates the appearance of an invading army, prompting Arianrod to arm her son. Her own actions fulfill the condition she meant to impose. A constructed marriage Math and Gwydion make Blodeuwedd from flowers and give Llew a territory to rule. He enters adulthood with status and a household, though neither was freely granted by Arianrod.

The Eagle in the Oak The Eagle in the Oak from "Mabinogion". Near Death and Recognition A transformed survivor Wounded in the one circumstance that could kill him, Llew becomes an eagle and vanishes.

The Eagle in the Oak from "Mabinogion". Near Death and Recognition A transformed survivor Wounded in the one circumstance that could kill him, Llew becomes an eagle and vanishes.

Near Death and Recognition A transformed survivor Wounded in the one circumstance that could kill him, Llew becomes an eagle and vanishes. A sow’s strange feeding leads Gwydion to the tree where he rests. Recovery through kinship Gwydion calls Llew down with verses and restores his human form. The nephew’s survival depends on the uncle who has repeatedly shaped his life.

Rule Reclaimed Rule Reclaimed from "Mabinogion". Vengeance and Kingship A return with allies Llew joins Gwydion’s forces against Gronw and Blodeuwedd.

Rule Reclaimed from "Mabinogion". Vengeance and Kingship A return with allies Llew joins Gwydion’s forces against Gronw and Blodeuwedd.

Vengeance and Kingship A return with allies Llew joins Gwydion’s forces against Gronw and Blodeuwedd. Blodeuwedd’s flight ends in her transformation into an owl. The final exchange Gronw asks to place a stone between himself and the spear, but Llew’s weapon passes through it. Llew regains his land and rules Gwynedd.

At Arianrod’s arrival before Math

During Llew’s disguised visit to Arianrod’s castle

After Llew receives his name

After Llew is struck by Gronw’s spear

After Llew recovers at Caer Dathyl