These tales were first translated into English by Lady Charlotte Elizabeth Guest (1812–1895), being published from 1838 to 1849. Of the eleven prose tales she chose, some fall into the “Four Branches of the Mabinogion,” others are classed as “Independent Native Tales,” while the third group consists of three late Arthurian romances, such as “The Lady of the Fountain.”

One of the most powerful retellings of the Mabinogi in English is by the American writer Evangeline Walton, who wrote her first volume, The Virgin and the Swine, in 1936. This was the “Fourth Branch” and was retitled The Island of the Mighty in 1970. This republication, 34 years after its first appearance, was highly successful and Miss Walton, still alive, was persuaded to finish the saga with The Children of Llyr (1971), The Song of Rhiannon (1972), and The Prince of Annwn (1974).

Mabon

[W] Son of Modron. A warrior and hunter among Arthur’s champions. Culhwch rescued him from captivity at Caer Loyw, used in the tale as a synonym for the Otherworld. In return, Mabon helps Culhwch seek out Olwen and fulfil the tasks required to win her hand in marriage. He hunts the magic boar Twrch Trwyth and takes a razor from between its ears. Mabon obviously equates with the cult of Maponos, “The Divine Youth,” which existed among the pre-Christian Celts, a cult found in the north of Britain and in Gaul. The Romans equated him with Apollo, for he was credited with skill in music. In Ireland the obvious parallel is Mac ind Óg, also known as Aonghus. His mother, Madron, is Matrona, “The Divine Mother,” eponymous goddess of the Marne in France. The Cymric tradition has him stolen from his mother three days after his birth. He also survives in Continental Arthurian tradition as Mabon, Mabuz, and Mabonagrain.

Mac an Lùin

[I] “Son of the Spear,” the sword of Fionn Mac Cumhail.

Mac Cécht

[I] A son of Ogma, god of eloquence. He was the husband of Fótla, one of the three goddess, with Banb and Éire, who asked that their name be given to Ireland. He was slain by Eremon, the son of Milesius. The same name also attaches itself to a son of Snade Teched, who was a champion of Conaire Mór, who accompanied the High King to Da Derga’s Hostel. He slew the warrior who had killed the High King and then gave the severed head of Conaire a last drink.