The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
Caridwen
Caridwen seeks exceptional knowledge for her disadvantaged son and resolves to prepare a cauldron of Inspiration and Science according to the books of the Fferyllt. When Gwion receives the three powerful drops, she pursues him through transformations as predator against escaping prey. As a hen she swallows the grain into which he has changed, then later bears a child.
Also known as Ceridwen · Cerridwen
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryCaridwen seeks exceptional knowledge for her disadvantaged son and resolves to prepare a cauldron of Inspiration and Science according to the books of the Fferyllt.
Further detail
LiteraryWhen Gwion receives the three powerful drops, she pursues him through transformations as predator against escaping prey. As a hen she swallows the grain into which he has changed, then later bears a child.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the narrative in Charlotte Guest’s 1877 collection, including its particular spellings and arrangement of tales. Characters, enchantments and explanations of place names are presented as features of these stories; the translation alone does not establish their historical reality or a single original religious meaning.
Original passages
Source 1
The Mabinogion
Fferyllt, to boil a cauldron of Inspiration and Science for her son, that his reception might be honourable because of his knowledge of the mysteries of theOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 496
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0496
- Original scan leaf
- 497
- Recorded leaf number
- 497
- Current Reader position
- 488
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
feet, and found him out and swallowed him. And, as the story says, she bore him nine months, and when she was delivered of him, sheOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 498
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0498
- Original scan leaf
- 499
- Recorded leaf number
- 499
- Current Reader position
- 490
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Elphin
The unfortunate heir whose empty weir yields Taliesin instead of a catch of fish.
Shared source pageGwion Bach
The cauldron-stirrer whose accidental taste brings foreknowledge and a flight through changing forms.
Shared source pageTaliesin in Guest’s Tale
The miraculous child whose poetry consoles the man who finds him in a weir.
Same subject and traditionArianrod
The mother who places conditions on Llew’s name, arms and marriage.