Pryderi- Celtic HeroHero"Lord of Dyfed"

Birth and Youth

Pryderi was born to Pwyll, lord of Dyfed, and Rhiannon, a woman of Otherworld origin who had chosen Pwyll as her husband. On the night of his birth, six women set to watch over mother and child fell asleep, and the infant vanished. The frightened attendants killed a puppy, smeared its blood on the sleeping Rhiannon, and accused her of devouring her own son. Rhiannon was forced to sit at the mounting block outside the court, offering to carry visitors on her back as penance.

The child had been snatched by a monstrous claw. He appeared in the stable of Teyrnon Twrf Liant, lord of Gwent Is Coed, whose mare produced a foal each May Eve only for it to vanish. When Teyrnon kept watch and severed the claw, he found the infant beside the rescued foal. He raised the boy as Gwri Wallt Euryn until the child's growing resemblance to Pwyll became unmistakable. Teyrnon returned him to Dyfed, Rhiannon was restored to honour, and she named him Pryderi, meaning "worry" or "care," for the anxiety his disappearance had caused. He succeeded Pwyll as lord of Dyfed and later joined the expedition to Ireland to avenge Branwen's mistreatment, returning as one of only seven survivors.

The Enchantment of Dyfed

After Pwyll's death, Rhiannon married Manawydan fab Llŷr. The four of them, Pryderi, Cigfa, Rhiannon, and Manawydan, sat upon the mound of Arberth. A sudden enchantment emptied Dyfed of its people, animals, and dwellings, leaving only the four in a desolate land. During their wanderings, Pryderi followed a white boar into a mysterious fortress where he found a golden bowl suspended above a marble fountain. When he touched the bowl, his hands stuck fast and he was struck dumb, unable to move or call for help. Rhiannon went after him and was similarly trapped. Both were held captive until Manawydan outwitted the enchanter Llwyd fab Cil Coed, who had cast the spell to avenge an old wrong done to his friend Gwawl fab Clud by Pwyll and Rhiannon.

The Pigs of Annwn and Death

Pryderi possessed magical pigs given by Arawn, king of Annwn, to Pwyll. These animals were coveted throughout Wales, and their fame reached Gwydion fab Dôn in Gwynedd. Gwydion travelled to Dyfed disguised as a bard and offered illusory horses and hounds, conjured from mushrooms, in exchange for the pigs. Pryderi accepted the trade, but when the enchantment dissolved and the conjured beasts reverted to fungus, he raised his forces to reclaim what had been stolen. The resulting war between Dyfed and Gwynedd ended in single combat between Pryderi and Gwydion. Gwydion prevailed through sorcery. Pryderi fell, and his grave was said to lie at Maen Tyriawg above Melenryd.