Goewin: a Cymric Mabinogion Heroine (Daring, Bold)

Synonyms:
Cym: Daring, Bold

Goewin merch Pebin (the daughter of Pebin) is known from the Mabinogi of Math fab Mathonwy, the full tale of which can be found here. The tale concerning Goewin is given below.

Math fab Mathonwy was the arglwydd of Gwynedd and he had this cyneddf; that he could not survive were his feet not in the lap of a maiden, save when this was prevented by the advent of war. The maiden currently with him was Goewin daughter of Pebin of Dôl Pebin in Arfon; she benig the fairest maiden of her age. Now, Math's particular cyneddf prevented him from making the customary circuit of his country and he had to remain in his main llys of Caer Dathyl in Arfon; thus Gilfaethwy mab Dôn and Gwydion mab Dôn, the sons of his sister, both members of his household, making this circuit in his stead.

Goewin dwelt with Math constantly, but Gilfaethwy mab Dôn had set his affections upon her, loving her so much that he knew not what he should do on her account. His appearance and demeanour were altered by his love for her, such that it was no longer easy to recognize him.

Gwydion finds out that his brother, Gilfaethwy is in love with Goewin and he creates a plan whereby Gilfaethwy could lie with Goewin. On the pretence of gaining the sacred swine of Pryderi, lord of the southlands, Gwydion succeeds in engendering a war. This is done as he cheats Pryderi into giving him his swine by offering illusionary horses, greyhounds and shilelds. Gwydion, Gilfaethwy and their men return to the north, house the stolen swine in a sty at Arllechwedd before returning to Math's Llys at Caer Dathyl. There they hear that Pwyll is raising a host against them. At this they donned their arms and made their way to Penardd in Arfon.

That night Gwydion mab Dôn and Gilfaethwy his brother made their way back to Caer Dathyl whereupon Gilfaethwy took to Math's bed. He bade Goewin remain by force even as he discourteously turned the other maidens from the room. That night Gilfaethwy slept with Goewin, taking away her essence.

The following morning Gilfaethwy and Gwydion return to Math's host and battle is joined. The slaughter was great on all sides; though the men of Deheubarth were ultimately forced to flee. Pryderi petitions Math, persuading him that he and Gwydon should fight by single combat to decide the outcome of the war. By force of strength and fierceness and by dint of his magic and illusion Gwydion was victorious and Pryderi was slain. He was buried in Maentwrog, above Rhydfelen and there his grave lies to this day.

Math mab Mathonwy returned to Caer Dathyl whilst Gilfaethwy mab Dôn and those of Math's household who were with him went to make a circuit of Gwynedd, as was their wont, whithout approaching the Llys.

Math retired to his own chamber and caused a place to be prepared where he could recline so that he might put his feet in his maiden's lap. But as Goewin approached she said: 'Lord, seek another to hold thy feet, for I am now a woman.'

'What does this mean?' Math enquired of her.

'An attack, my lord,' that was forced upon me in public and I was not silent whilst this happened. There were none in the Llys who did not know what befell me. This was caused by thy nephews, the sons of thy sister, Gwydion mab Dôn and Gilfaethwy mab Dôn. Violence was perpetrated on me and shame unto thee; for he slept with me and this in thy chamber and in thy bed.'

'Yea,' responded Matholwch, 'whatever I can do I will do. I shall make restitution untoo thee first and then I will have amends made unto myself. And thou, I shall take thee for a wife and and all my wealth and my lands shall be given unto your hands.'

Thus Math married Goewin and to punish Gwydion and Gilfaethwy he turned them on consecutive years into deer, wild pigs and wolves, to have offspring one on the other. These sons Math took and baptixzed and they were known as Hydwn (Noble Deer), Hychddwn Hir (Noble Swine, the tall) and Bleiddwn (Noble Wolf), respectively.

Goewin can be viewed as the feminine principle of sovereignty through whom the king gains his right to rule. Effectively a remnant of the matrilineal principle which represents an older strain of celtic belief. Which is interesting for a tale mainly concerned with the exploits of Gwydion who, himself, gains his power from his mother, Dôn. Indeed, Goewin's name is derived from the Old Cymric form *goewin (meaning daring or bold) indicating that she is in fact the warrior principle behind the strength of the throne. In Brythonic practice rape was one route to marriage and by capturing Goewin Gilfaethwy also captures the means of stealing Math's throne; indicating that the tale of Math mab Matholwch may once have been a very different story from that we know today.

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