Pryderi's life story spans three of the Four Branches. He begins as a lost child, grows into a noble lord, and meets a tragic end. His life is a thread that weaves the disparate tales of the Mabinogi together.
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The Lost Child
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The Lord of Dyfed
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The Tragic End
Click on a stage of the story to learn more.
The Bridge Between Tales
Pryderi's primary literary function is to act as a bridge, connecting the world of his parents (Pwyll and Rhiannon) with the great divine families of Llŷr and Dôn.
Pryderi: "Anxiety" or "Care"
His name, given upon his restoration, means "anxiety" or "care," reflecting the sorrow his disappearance caused. This name proves prophetic, as his life is marked by loss and the "care" of his kingdom.
Pryderi's Journey Through the Mabinogi
I
His birth, loss, and restoration.
II
One of seven survivors of the war in Ireland.
III
Endures the magical enchantment of Dyfed.
IV
Tricked into war and killed by Gwydion.
Symbols of a Hero's Life
Further Reading
Davies, Sioned (trans.) (2007). The Mabinogion.
The standard modern academic translation, excellent for tracing Pryderi's journey.
Ford, Patrick K. (trans.) (2008). The Mabinogion and Other Medieval Welsh Tales.
A clear and engaging translation that makes following Pryderi's complex life story straightforward.