Polyandry/Polygamy

Plurality of marriages was permitted in ancient society and enshrined in the Brehon Laws and Laws of Hywel Dda. The practice continued well into the Christian era. Men and women enjoyed equal rights, and nowhere is this more carefully demonstrated than in the laws relating to marriage. Divorce could be had by mutual consent as well as for numerous “offences.” Rights that were carefully listed in the laws gave protection to both sides.

Pooka

See Púca.

Powys

[W] The ancient kingdom of mid-Wales, which has now been reestablished in the new county boundary system.

Pryderi

[W] Son of Pwyll and Rhiannon and the only person to figure in all the branches of the Mabinogi. When a babe, he is kidnapped by malignant forces, and those who were supposed to be looking after him, to protect themselves, accuse his mother of killing him. He is found by Teyrnon of Gwent Is-Coed who, with his wife, names him Gwri, “golden hair,” and raises him. But they eventually find out his true identity and return him to Rhiannon and Pwyll. Rhiannon then names him Pryderi, “Care,” for the care she has suffered during his absence. Pryderi is fostered by Teyrnon who, with his wife, befriends Pwyll and Rhiannon.

It is in the third branch that Pryderi is seen as lord of Dyfed, having succeeded his father. He now gives his mother Rhiannon in marriage to Manawydan. At Arbeth, they are feasting when there is a peal of thunder and a mist falls. When it rises, all human life has vanished, as have all the buildings, leaving the countryside desolate. Thus begins a series of adventures (see Manawydan fab Llyr). Rhiannon is abducted, and Pryderi, who is depicted as an impulsive character, is enticed into a magic fortress and made prisoner by the author of the magic curse, Llwyd. Pryderi and Rhiannon are rescued by Manawydan, who forces Llwyd to promise that no further spells shall ever again be cast on Dyfed. Llwyd, by the way, is the friend of Gwawl, the suitor for the hand of Rhiannon who had been bested by Pwyll, Pryderi’s father.

Prydwen

[W] The name of Arthur’s ship.

Púca

[I] Anglicised as Pooka. A mischievous spirit who led travellers astray or performed other devilment. It occurs in later legend and seems to have no basis in myth. It could well be an import through