The Sacred Hearth

Math Mathonwy, who was Pryderi’s true father though no one would ever know, was lord of Gwynedd. At the time of Math’s birth, guis was placed upon him that in all waking moments his feet must be cradled in the lap of a maiden, except in times of war. Now the chosen maiden at this time was Goewin and she was the fairest maiden of her time.

Due to this spelli, he wasn’t able to move about his lands as a king should, so he had several assistants that did these things for him. One of these was Gilvanwy, Son of his sister Don and he had a deep desire for Goewin. Of course, since he could not have her, his affections remained unexpressed and soon he was driven mad with it, and was irritable and quite a changed man.

Gilvanwy’s older brother Gwydion, who was the eldest child of Don and Math’s heir, noticed the change in his younger brother and asked him about it. But Gwilvanwy would not confess his problem until Gwydion guessed it. Then Gilvanwy sighed the heaviest sigh in the world and begged him not to tell.

“Don’t sigh, brother, I will not tell. What’s more, I will get her for you. Just do as I say.” Said Gwydion, who was wily and clever.

So Gwydion went to Math and said, “Lord, I have heard of these creatures whose flesh is sweeter than that of oxen, to the South. The likes of which have never been seen on this island before.”

“What are these creatures?” Asked Math.

“They are called pigs, they change. They are called swine.” Said Gwydion.

“Who has them?” Asked Math, quite curious.

“Why Pryderi in Dyfed. It is said that they are gifts from Arawn of Annwn.” said Gwydion.

“We should see if he will sell us some.” Said Math, thoughtful.

“I will go to him and see what his price is.” Said Gwydion and off he went.

Gwydion and Gilvanwy went with 10 other men in the guise of bards to the Palace of Pryderi. Gwydion was the best teller of tales in all the world. Indeed, few have equaled him and less have bettered him to this day. It was not difficult for him to charm to court and put Pryderi into a very good mood.

Finally he said to him, “I wonder, Lord about the animals that were sent to you from Annwn. If one craved them, how would one acquire them?”

“Ah, it would be an easy thing to grant.” Said Pryderi, “But I have promised upon receiving them that I would neither sell them nor give them away until they had doubled their number.”

“Aha.” Said Gwydion. “I can fix that simply enough. Tomorrow I will come to you with a something to trade for them, for you haven’t promised not to trade them.”

Pryderi was not so easily convinced, but he did agree to wait till tomorrow to see what Gwydion would bring in trade.

And so Gwydion left that night, and using his magic, he conjured up twelve beautiful black horses, and twelve beautiful black greyhounds. On each dog he made the appearance of twelve collars of solid gold and fine leather leashes studded with gems. Upon the horses he conjured twelve saddles and bridles, all trimmed in gold. These he formed entirely of fungus.

With these twelve dogs and twelve horses, Gwydion came back to Pryderi the next day.

“Here I release you from your vow. You may neither give them away, nor sell them, but you may certainly exchange them for that which is better!” He said to Pryderi.

Pryderi conferred with his nobles and they consented to give the pigs to Gwydion who quickly gathered his comrades and began to herd them home immediately. By the end of the next day they’d come back to Gwynedd, they made a sty for the pigs in a small town and gave their care over to the peasants there. Then they went to see Math and tell him the news.

But when they came they found the Palace all in an uproar and Math said to them, “Where have you been? And what has come of the animals you went after?”

“We gave them to the peasant’s care.” Said Gwydion.

As they spoke they heard trumpets, for Gwydion’s illusion had lasted only until the sun set the night before and now Pryderi and his men were in pursuit, heavily armed. So all the men, including Math and Gwydion armed for battle and road forth, but Gilvanwy snuck up to the maiden’s chambers and stole her away.

It was a bloody battle and it went on for too long. Pryderi was far outnumbered, but he and his men fought bravely and would not give up.

Finally, Pryderi sent a message to Math asking if he could fight Gwydion one-on-one to settle the matter and save their people from any more bloodshed. Math agreed heartily and Gwydion did as well. So it was arranged.

The two fought bravely, and the greater strength and skill of Pryderi would have won, but for the charms and magic of Gwydion, for which he was no match. Pryderi was slain and with his dying breath he cursed Gwydion, “May your own flesh one day feed the swine for which you have wronged me.”

And so they went home and Math went to his chambers and called Goewin to him, but she said, “You must seek another maiden to hold your feet, for I am no longer, and Gilvanwy, your nephew is the cause.”

Math was outraged and promised to revenge her, and took her as his own wife. Then he sent out people to look for Gwydion and Gilvanwy, but they hid. He made it a law that none should give them food nor shelter and finally, after many months, they came to him to receive judgment.

Math was furious and began their punishment immediately. Seizing his rod, he struck Gilvanwy so that he became a doe and Gwydion so that he became a buck. “Go then, and live together as companions in the wilderness, and return to me in a year and a day.”

Off they went and they returned in a year and a day with a fawn between them. They were brought before Math and he struck them again with their rod, and they became wild boars and ran away again. The fawn he turned into a boy and named him Hydwn and raised him as his own.

A year later they returned and with them a young one. Again he struck the young one, and it became a fine, auburn haired youth and he named him Hychdwn and raised him as his own. As for the elders, he struck them and they became wolves, and ran away again.

In a year when they returned with a fine young cub, Math took the cub and turned him into a boy and named him Bleiddwn. “Now these three sons of Gilvanwy the false, three faithful combatants, Bleiddwn, Hydwn and Hychdwn, the Tall!”.

And then he allowed the two men to take on their own forms again.

“Now you have done your penance, let all be forgotten. Tell me now, who shall I seek to be my foot maiden.”

“My sister, Arianrhod would be an excellent choice.” Said Gwydion.

“Go then,” Said Math, “And see if she is willing.”