The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
Llew Llaw Gyffes
Llew explains that he cannot be slain inside or outside a house, on horseback or on foot. His vulnerable position requires one foot on a goat and the other on a covered bath’s edge. Gronw strikes him in that arranged position, and Llew escapes as an eagle. Gwydion later restores his body and secures treatment before Llew returns to claim his land.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryLlew explains that he cannot be slain inside or outside a house, on horseback or on foot. His vulnerable position requires one foot on a goat and the other on a covered bath’s edge.
Further detail
LiteraryGronw strikes him in that arranged position, and Llew escapes as an eagle. Gwydion later restores his body and secures treatment before Llew returns to claim his land.
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
I cannot be slain on horseback nor on foot." " Verily," said she, "in what manner then canst thou be slain?" "I will tell thee," said he.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 453
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0453
- Original scan leaf
- 454
- Recorded leaf number
- 454
- Current Reader position
- 445
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
remained in. Then he flew up in the form of an eagle and gave a fearful scream. And thenceforth was he no more seen. As soon as he departed GronwOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 454
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0454
- Original scan leaf
- 455
- Recorded leaf number
- 455
- Current Reader position
- 446
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Arianrod
The mother who places conditions on Llew’s name, arms and marriage.
Same subject and traditionArthur in the Mabinogion
The courtly ruler whose household gathers the companions and quests of Guest’s Welsh romances.
Same subject and traditionBranwen
The princess whose marriage alliance becomes the centre of a catastrophe between two islands.
Same subject and traditionCaridwen
The maker of an inspiration-cauldron whose intended gift is diverted to Gwion Bach.