Gwawl

Gwawl is in Welsh mythology, a candidate for the hand of Rhiannon. His fate is described in the Mabinogion.

Mythology

In the "first branch of the Mabinogi " Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed ( " Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed " ) is told that Rhiannon Gwawl rejects as consort. That's why she asks Pwyll at the Hill of Arbeth for help. She appears to him as a mold rider and when he catches up with them, she confesses her love to him and asks him to come to celebrate the wedding in the palace of her father Hefaidd Hen. In this celebration but also appears Gwawl and demands of Pwyll the fulfillment of a request, a request that can not be rejected. On Pwyll Rhiannon commitment he demands from him. Cunningly put off Rhiannon Gwawl to one year, then the wedding will be celebrated. This festival Pwyll appears disguised as a beggar and brings Gwawl to rise in his beggar's sack.

His companions beat now remain on the bag, until Gwawl promises to refrain from Rhiannon and want to practice no revenge.

When many years later Gwawl wants revenge on Pryderi the son of Pwyll, he lets the whole country depopulated by the magic mist of his friend Llwyd Cil Coed fab and all the animals disappear. Also Pryderi and his mother Rhiannon fall into the captivity of the underworld. Manawydan, the second husband of Rhiannon after Pwyll 's death, they can release with the help of his magical powers from the violence Gwawls and the land 's fertility return (see Manawydan fab Llyr, " Manawydan the son Llŷrs ").