Miodchaoin

[I] A fierce warrior who dwelt on a hill with his three sons. He and his sons were slain by the children of Tuireann.

Mòd

Assembly. An annual gathering organised by An Comunn Gàidhealach (the Scottish Gaelic association, which, in English, refers to itself as “The Highland Association,” formed in 1891). This is like the Welsh Eisteddfod.

Modred

[W] The nephew of Arthur who attempts to usurp his crown and marry his wife Guinevere. His historical progenitor, Modreuant, is recorded as being killed with Arthur at the battle of Camluan.

Modron

[W] Mother of Mabon, one of Arthur’s champions. The name seems to be a form of Matrona and therefore a mothergoddess.

Móen

[I] The word signifies dumb. Son of a king of Leinster who was poisoned by his uncle, Cobhthach, and made to eat his father’s heart, the boy was struck dumb in disgust. He is taken out of Ireland to save him from a worst fate. In the Gaulish kingdom of the Fir Orca, he falls in love with the beautiful Moriath. She teaches him how to regain his speech. Then her father gives him an army with which he sets out and regains his kingdom and destroys the evil Cobhthach. It is interesting to find that Móen is said to have horse’s ears, like Mark of Cornwall. Lest the blemish preclude him from kingship, everyone who cut his hair was put to death. Having spared one man on oath that he would hold his tongue, the man told a tree. The tree was cut down and made into a harp for Craftine his bard. When the harp played, Móen’s secret was revealed.

Mongán

[I] Son of Manannán Mac Lir by the queen of the Dál nAraidi. He was born in circumstances that so closely resemble those in which Arthur of Britain was born that the Arthur legend was doubtless crafted from the Irish tale. Mongán is also said to have been a reincarnation of Fionn Mac Cumhail, whose story also gives a lot to the Arthurian legends. Because his father was the sea god he, too, was possessed of supernatural gifts. He married Dubh Lacha, and one of the tales associated with him is how he outwits Brandubh, king of Leinster, who secretly desires Dubh Lacha and tricks Mongán into giving him her. A historical Mongán is recorded as ruling Ulster in a.d. 625. See Manannán Mac Lir.