Rhiannon stands as a prominent character in the ancient prose and mythology of Britain, specifically within the Mabinogi. These narratives, compiled between the 12th and 13th centuries, draw on earlier oral traditions and were crafted by Welsh medieval authors. Rhiannon is known as the Celtic goddess of the moon whose name translates to “Divine Queen” of the fairies.
Her significant role is highlighted mainly in the First Branch of the Mabinogi, with further details appearing in the Third Branch. Rhiannon is characterized as a woman of strength and decisiveness, selecting Pwyll, the Prince of Dyfed in West Wales, as her partner instead of an older man she found distasteful. Throughout these tales, Rhiannon is depicted as intelligent, politically astute, and recognized for her affluence and generosity.
The story begins with Rhiannon’s appearance at Gorsedd Arberth, an ancient mound near one of Dyfed’s main courts. Pwyll accepted a challenge associated with this mound, believed to be a magical site that concealed the entrance to the otherworld. Though advised against it by his companions, Pwyll sends his finest horseman to pursue Rhiannon, who presented herself as the marvel of the mound. Dressed in gold and riding a majestic white horse, she enchanted Pwyll while his companions expressed apprehension.
Despite her horse’s leisurely pace, Rhiannon eluded the horsemen for two days. On the third day, Pwyll himself pursued her but was unsuccessful in catching up. He called after her, only to be met with a rebuke for his persistence. However, Rhiannon revealed that she had sought him out to marry him willingly, preferring him over her betrothed, Gwawl ap Clud.
After two joyful years of marriage, the couple faced mounting pressure to have a child. Their son was finally born in the third year of their union, becoming a source of turmoil for them. As was customary, six nursemaids had been assigned to assist Rhiannon, but one night they all fell asleep, neglecting their duties. When they awoke to find the cradle empty, they feared punishment and decided to falsely accuse Rhiannon of murdering her child. In an attempt to avoid retribution, they killed a puppy, smeared its blood on Rhiannon, and arranged its bones around her, framing her for the alleged crime of infanticide and cannibalism.
Despite Rhiannon’s claims of innocence, she was subjected to severe penance, required to sit at the castle gate for seven years, enduring harsh weather and recounting her story to travelers while offering to carry them like a beast of burden. Meanwhile, the newborn was discovered by Teyrnon, the Lord of Gwent-Is-Coed. Initially finding the child as a foal, Teyrnon and his wife took the baby in, naming him Gwri Waalt Euryn for his golden hair. As the boy grew quickly and displayed a notable affinity for horses, Teyrnon recognized his resemblance to Pwyll, his former courtier. Acting honorably, he returned the child to the royal family in Dyfed. Recognized as Rhiannon and Pwyll’s son, he was later renamed Pryderi. This reunion restored Rhiannon’s honor and her place alongside Pwyll.
In certain narratives, Rhiannon is also associated with the figure of Vivienne, better known as the Lady of the Lake, who played a crucial role in the Arthurian legends by bestowing Excalibur upon King Arthur.
Once encountered in the Mabinogi, Rhiannon appears as a mystical entity, embodying the Otherworldly aspects of Gorsedd Arberth, her unique slow yet unattainable style of riding being a depiction of both the enchanting and the strange.
Rhiannon’s legends continue to inspire various retellings and artistic expressions, finding their way into literature, theater, and modern songs, including Fleetwood Mac’s well-known track “Rhiannon.”
