features in the second branch of the Mabinogi. They have two half brothers—Efnisien, who creates hostility, and Nisien, the peacemaker. When Bran’s sister, Branwen, marries Matholwch, the Irish king, Efnisien, who has not been consulted, mutilates Matholwch’s horse. In compensation, Bran gives Matholwch a magic cauldron brought from Ireland that can resuscitate slain men, although the process leaves them bereft of speech.

When Bran hears that Matholwch, though forced by his people, is punishing Branwen for Efnisien’s insult, he leaves seven of his chieftains to rule Britain and takes an army to invade Ireland. Matholwch offers his submission to Bran “lest the country be spoiled.” However, as peace is being discussed, Efnisien insults the Irish and casts Gwern, son of Matholwch and Branwen, into a fire. In the terrible battle that follows between Matholwch and Bran, Bran is mortally wounded by a poison arrow in the foot. He tells his companions to cut off his head and take it back to Britain. And Efnisien sacrifices his own life in order to destroy the magic cauldron that keeps giving life to the slain Irish warriors. In the end, only five pregnant women are left alive to repopulate Ireland, and only seven Britons survive to return to their own land. They are Pryderi, Manawydan, Taliesin, Gluneu son of Taran, Ynawc, Grudye, son of Muryel, and Heilyn, son of Gwynn Hen. Bran’s head is taken back for burial in a strange voyage that takes many years, during which the head of Bran remains alive, talking and eating, once more reinforcing the Celtic concept of the soul dwelling in the head.

Meanwhile, Branwen dies of a broken heart, having returned to Anglesey, where she is buried by the banks of the Alaw.

There are some affinities in this tale to the second battle of Mag Tuired in Irish myth [see Branwen, Daughter of Llyr, Proinsias Mac Cana, University of Wales Press, 1958].

Brandubh

[I] A board game played by the heroes and gods. The name signifies “black raven.” It seems similar to fidchell. There have been several archaeological finds of board games in Celtic graves. Such a game was found in a grave in Welwyn Garden City, England, and a wooden board with sockets for pegs was found in Ballinderry, Co. Westmeath. There was also a person named Brandubh, a king of