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Welsh Mythology

In Welsh mythology, the Otherworld is usually called Annwn or Annwfn. The Welsh tale of Branwen, daughter of Llyr ends with the survivors of the great battle feasting in the Otherworld, in the presence of the severed head of Bran the Blessed, having forgotten all their suffering and sorrow, and having become unaware of the passage of time. Annwn is ruled by the Otherworld kings Arawn and Gwyn ap Nudd. In the First Branch of the Welsh tales known as The Mabinogion, entitled Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, the eponymous prince offends Arawn, ruler of Annwn, by baiting his hunting hounds on a stag that Arawn's dogs had brought down. In recompense, Pwyll swaps places with Arawn for a year and defeats Arawn's enemy Hafgan. Meanwhile, Arawn rules Dyfed. During this year, Pwyll does not sleep with Arawn's wife, earning himself gratitude from Arawn. On his return, Pwyll becomes known by the title Pen Annwn, "Head (or Ruler) of Annwn".

So what’s all this about

then

Well… I was reading a book entitled Welsh Legends and Myths, my heritage is Welsh and apparently Tom Jones (not “the” Tom Jones, but my Uncle Tom) has traced our family tree all the way back to Captain Henry Morgan one of the most famous or should that be infamous pirates of them all. Hence the connection between history and legend. I just translated Other World into Latin.. Basically this site contains stuff that I find interesting and anything else I would like to share, and I get my own domain name and email address..

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