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Myths and legends

Wales has a rich heritage of magical and mystical tales. Here is a selection, including the Mabinogion, Gelert, and profiles of famous bards and writers.

A lake
A gigantic and deadly lake monster from Welsh mythology

The afanc

Llangernyw yew tree
The recording angel of death is a supernatural being of Welsh legend.

Angelystor

One of the best-known Welsh legends

Gelert

Flood
A Welsh pseudo deity brought to the fore in Iolo Morgannwg's forged third series of Triads

Hu Gadarn

Flood

St Collen and the King of the Fairies

Cardiff castle
Castell Dinas Bran is the site of this tragic love story

Myfanwy of Dinas Bran

Cover of The Mabinogion
A masterpiece of medieval literature

The Mabinogion

National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
One of Welsh literature's most notable manuscripts

The White Book of Rhydderch

Red book
One of the most important medieval Welsh manuscripts

The Red Book of Hergest

Rhiannon
The word "Mabinogi" originally designated only these four tales

Mabinogion: first branch

Harlech Castle
The second branch of the Mabinogion concerns Branwen, Daughter of Llyr

Mabinogion: second branch

Spooky trees
The third branch deals with Pryderi's friendship with Bendgeidfran's brother Manawydan

Mabinogion: third branch

Pigs
The final and most complex branch takes place around the Lleyn peninsula

Mabinogion: fourth branch

Chess pieces
Magnus Maximus was a usurper against the Romans in the fourth century

The Dream of Macsen Wledig

A dragon
An early Welsh myth which featured warring dragons

Lludd and Llefelys

An early Welsh myth which featured warring dragons

Culhwch
The first Arthurian romance survives in only two manuscripts

Culhwch and Olwen

King Arthur
This tale is notable for preserving older traditions of King Arthur

The Dream of Rhonabwy

A fountain
A hero risks losing the lady to carry out knightly deeds

Owain, or the Lady of the Fountain

Woodland
One of the Arthurian Welsh Romances associated with the Mabinogion

Peredur, son of Efrawg

White horse
Also known as Geraint, son of Erbin

Geraint and Enid

The life of Taliesin the bard

Taliesin the bard


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Chwedlau Myrddin

Ynys Gudd Morgana

Stori Ynys Gudd Morgana

Ewch ar anturiaethau gyda'r cymeriadau yn ein straeon a gemau.

Wales arts

Catrin Dafydd (Image © Catrin Howells)

Meet the writers

Find out about the writers behind our mythical Merlin tales.

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