The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition
The Salmon of Llyn Llyw
The eagle directs the embassy to a salmon whose strength once dragged it into deep water. The salmon knows a place near Gloucester where it hears grievous suffering. It carries Kai and Gwrhyr upon its shoulders to the prison wall, where they identify Mabon’s voice. Kai and Bedwyr later use the same route during the rescue.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryThe eagle directs the embassy to a salmon whose strength once dragged it into deep water. The salmon knows a place near Gloucester where it hears grievous suffering.
Further detail
LiteraryIt carries Kai and Gwrhyr upon its shoulders to the prison wall, where they identify Mabon’s voice. Kai and Bedwyr later use the same route during the rescue.
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
Salmon of Llyn Llyw, I have come to thee with an embassy from Arthur, to ask thee if thou knowest aught concerningOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 273
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0273
- Original scan leaf
- 274
- Recorded leaf number
- 274
- Current Reader position
- 265
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Mabinogion
one of you go thither upon each of my two shoulders." SoOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: The Mabinogion, Guest’s 1877 edition; active reader leaf 273
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0240-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0240-E001-P0273
- Original scan leaf
- 274
- Recorded leaf number
- 274
- Current Reader position
- 265
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Mabon, Son of Modron
The lost child found through the testimony of ancient animals and freed from a stone prison.
Same subject and traditionBendigeid Vran
The giant king who becomes a bridge for his army and leaves a protective head behind.
Same subject and traditionThe Two Dragons of Lludd’s Tale
The combatants whose recurring conflict is explained as the cause of Britain’s fearful shriek.
Same subject and traditionTwrch Trwyth
The transformed king pursued for the precious grooming implements carried between his ears.