brother Gwydion. Gwydion promised to help him and went to Math and asked leave to go to Pryderi of Dyfed to ask for a gift of a herd of swine, which had been bestowed on him by Arawn, king of Annwn. Math, eager to own these magical beasts, agreed. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy went to Dyfed with ten companions. They came to Pryderi’s court in the guise of bards, and Gwydion, after being feasted, offered to tell a tale. It was so good that Pryderi offered him anything in payment. He asked for the swine. Pryderi explained he was under a compact with Arawn not to sell or give them away until they had produced double their number in the land. Gwydion, using magic, presented an illusion of twelve magnificent horses and twelve hounds. Gwydion and Gilfaethwy make off with the swine. On the following day the illusion ceases and Pryderi, in rage, sets out to recover his property. Math, thinking Pryderi is invading his land, sets out to meet him. Only in times of war are the maidens allowed to abandon their task of holding his feet.

While Math departs with his army, Gilfaethwy seizes the opportunity to make an unwilling Goewin his wife. The dispute ends with a single combat between Gwydion and Pryderi and “by the magic and charms of Gwydion, Pryderi was slain.” When Math returns he finds Gilfaethwy and Gwydion gone into exile. But they return. Math turns them into deer for a year, then swine, then wolves. Each year they return with a young one of the species, who is changed into human shape. At the end of this time they are deemed to have fulfilled their penance.

Gilla Stagshank

[W] The chief leaper of Ireland, who can leap across any distance. He is asked to help Culhwch in his quest.

Gilvarthwy

[W] See Gilfaethwy.

Giolla Gréine

[I] The daughter of a human father and a sunbeam. When told of her origins she jumped into Loch Gréine (lake of the sun), floated to Daire Gréine (oak grove of the sun), and died at Tuam Gréine (tomb of the sun).

Gíona Mac Lugha

[I] Son of the warrior-daughter of Fionn Mac Cumhail, he became a leader of the Fianna. But he was not a good leader, vain and selfish and lazy. His men laid down their weapons and refused to fight under him. Fionn eventually taught him how to become a good leader, and he did indeed become one of the Fianna’s greatest champions.