Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain: Hero Myths in the Mabinogion Book

Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain
Hero Myths in the Mabinogion

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition: Into the Mabinogion

Acknowledgments

How to Use This Book
A Guide to Welsh and Gaelic Pronunciation

1 The Realm of the Mabinogion
The Welsh Storytelling Tradition
The Name of the Land
World and Otherworld
The Mysteries of Britain

2 Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed
The Head of Annwfn
Synopsis of "Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed"
Commentary
The Adventures of the Mare and the Boy
The Mare of Sovereignty

3 Branwen, Daughter of Llyr
Entertaining the Noble Head
Synopsis of "Branwen, Daughter of Llyr"
Commentary
Guarding the Hallows
Cronos and the Sleeping Lord

4 Manawyddan, Son of Llyr
The Story of the Hay Collars and the Doorknockers
Synopsis of "Manawyddan, Son of Llyr"
Commentary
The Enchantments of Britain
The Powerful Herdsman

5 Math, Son of Mathonwy
The Enchanter's Nephew
Synopsis of "Math, Son of Mathonwy"
Commentary
One-Eye and the Skillful Hand

6 Culhwch and Olwen
Tasks and Heroes
Synopsis of "Culhwch and Olwen"
Commentary
Freeing the Giant's Daughter
The Spoils of Annwfn

7 Taliesin
The Luck of the Weir
Synopsis of "Taliesin"
Commentary
The Thumb of Knowledge
The Hag and the Poet

8 The Totem Beasts of Britain
Mabon and the Oldest Animals
Guardian of the Beasts
The Initiation of the Totems

9 Mabon, Son of Modron
Perpetual Prisoner and Inner Sovereign
The Lady's Champion
The Royal Virgin of Avalon
The Lost Fifth Branch

Afterword: The Song of Remaking

Appendix: Three Mystery Songs to Mabon

Bibliography

Index