The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
Owain, Son of Urien
Owain follows Kynon’s description to seek the knight who guards the fountain. Pouring its water upon the slab brings thunder, a destructive shower and finally the defender. After wounding the defender, Owain is trapped between castle gates. A maiden’s ring conceals him from those who would kill him, allowing him to follow her to safety.
Also known as Owein
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryOwain follows Kynon’s description to seek the knight who guards the fountain. Pouring its water upon the slab brings thunder, a destructive shower and finally the defender.
Further detail
LiteraryAfter wounding the defender, Owain is trapped between castle gates. A maiden’s ring conceals him from those who would kill him, allowing him to follow her to safety.
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 am in quest of the Knight who guards the fountain." Upon this the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point out that adventureOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 36
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0036
- Original scan leaf
- 37
- Recorded leaf number
- 37
- Current Reader position
- 28
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
as long a,s thou concealest it, it will conceal thee. When they have consulted together, they will come forth to fetch thee, in order to put thee toOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 38
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0038
- Original scan leaf
- 39
- Recorded leaf number
- 39
- Current Reader position
- 30
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Luned
The resourceful attendant who conceals Owain and negotiates his approach to the Countess.
Same subject and traditionArianrod
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.