The Mabinogion Revisited

Episode

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First
Broadcast

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An Introduction To The Mabinogion

20161114

Professor Sioned Davies, Chair of Welsh at Cardiff University and author of the first new translation of The Mabinogion for thirty years, reflects on the ancient tales.

Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. In this series of The Essay, five Welsh writers present a different story or theme from the Mabinogion across five nights.

They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician, whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl. Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year.

By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales and culminating in a reading from the texts, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded.

Professor Sioned Davies introduces the early medieval Welsh tales of the Mabinogion.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

James Hawes

20161115

Five Welsh writers reflect on the greatest literary treasures of the medieval world, The Mabinogion. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded.

Author James Hawes discusses what the Mabinogion can teach us about storytelling and explores the parallels between these ancient tales and our modern-day superhero films.

Author James Hawes discusses what the Mabinogion can teach us about storytelling.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Gwyneth Lewis On The Tale Of Blodeuwedd

20161116

The Mabinogion Revisited: Series of arts programmesThe Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands? Gwyneth Lewis ponders the powers and the limits of the imagination through her unique re-interpretation of the tale of Blodeuwedd.

Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year.

By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded.

Gwyneth Lewis reflects on the tale of Blodeuwedd: a woman conjured entirely of flowers.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Jon Gower On The Role Of Nature

20161117

The Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands? Writer Jon Gower explores what the Mabinogion stories can teach us about the role of nature in the Celtic mind.

Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year.

By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Horatio Clare On Lludd And Llefelys

20161118

The Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands?Horatio Clare reflects on the 12th-century tale of Lludd and Llefelys from the Mabinogion and discusses its timely themes of immigration, conflict, borders and exile.

Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year.

By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded.

Horatio Clare discusses the 12th-century tale of Lludd and Llefelys from the Mabinogion.

Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	An Introduction To The Mabinogion	20161114	Professor Sioned Davies, Chair of Welsh at Cardiff University and author of the first new translation of The Mabinogion for thirty years, reflects on the ancient tales. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. In this series of The Essay, five Welsh writers present a different story or theme from the Mabinogion across five nights. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician, whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl. Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales and culminating in a reading from the texts, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded. Professor Sioned Davies introduces the early medieval Welsh tales of the Mabinogion. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
02	James Hawes	20161115	Five Welsh writers reflect on the greatest literary treasures of the medieval world, The Mabinogion. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded. Author James Hawes discusses what the Mabinogion can teach us about storytelling and explores the parallels between these ancient tales and our modern-day superhero films. Author James Hawes discusses what the Mabinogion can teach us about storytelling. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
03	Gwyneth Lewis On The Tale Of Blodeuwedd	20161116	The Mabinogion Revisited: Series of arts programmesThe Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands? Gwyneth Lewis ponders the powers and the limits of the imagination through her unique re-interpretation of the tale of Blodeuwedd. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded. Gwyneth Lewis reflects on the tale of Blodeuwedd: a woman conjured entirely of flowers. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
04	Jon Gower On The Role Of Nature	20161117	The Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands? Writer Jon Gower explores what the Mabinogion stories can teach us about the role of nature in the Celtic mind. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.
05	Horatio Clare On Lludd And Llefelys	20161118	The Mabinogion is to Welsh mythology what the Iliad and the Odyssey are to Greek mythology. So why aren't they more well known in these islands?Horatio Clare reflects on the 12th-century tale of Lludd and Llefelys from the Mabinogion and discusses its timely themes of immigration, conflict, borders and exile. Internationally recognized as the world's finest arc of Celtic mythology, the tales in the four 'Branches' which make up the Mabinogion reveal an ancient world of gods and monsters, heroes, kings and quests. They tell tales that stretch far beyond the boundaries of contemporary Wales, and although well known in Wales today, these stories are not familiar to those in other parts of Britain. They bring us Celtic mythology, a history of the Island of Britain seen through the eyes of medieval Wales. They also include the first appearance in literature of King Arthur. There is enchantment and shape-shifting, conflict, peacemaking, love and betrayal: stories of such colour and wonderment that even those who are not familiar with them will find universal appeal. There's Gwydion the shape-shifter, who can create a woman out of flowers; Math the magician whose feet must lie in the lap of a virgin; of hanging a pregnant mouse and hunting a magical boar. Dragons, witches, and giants live alongside kings and heroes, and quests of honour, revenge, and love are set against the backdrop of a country struggling to retain its independence. A wife conjured out of flowers is punished for unfaithfulness by being turned into an owl, Arthur and his knights chase a magical wild boar and its piglets from Ireland, across south Wales to Cornwall, and a prince changes places with the king of the underworld for a year. By weaving contemporary themes into these ancient tales, these essays re-invest the tales with the power of performance they originally commanded. Horatio Clare discusses the 12th-century tale of Lludd and Llefelys from the Mabinogion. Essays from leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond.