Pwyll
Pwyll EuropeWelsh nobleman and hero of one of the parts of the Mabinogion, the medieval cycle of legends. Pwyll encountered grey-clad Arawn, the magician—king of the underworld, annwfn, and they agreed to exchange forms and responsibilities for a year. Later he married Rhiannon, but lost her temporarily to the deceitful Gwawl, the disappointed suitor who had the support of her family. By ingenuity he recovered her, but his own people were annoyed by their childlessness and Rhiannon suffered a miserable fate. Though a son was eventually born, the family continued to be dogged by ill luck, even after the death of Pwyll. Years of desolation passed before the spell put on them by Gwawl's kin was lifted.
Pwyll was called chief of Dyfed, his lands in south-west Wales, and chief of the underworld, annwfn. The latter title he appears to have gained through submission and patience, yet the former he nearly lost because of his marriage to...
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