Gwynedd in north Wales is ruled by
Math, son of Mathonwy, whose feet must be held by a virgin at all times except while he is at war. Math's nephew
Gilfaethwy is in love with
Goewin, the current footholder, and Gilfaethwy's brother
Gwydion tricks Math into going to war against Pryderi so Gilfaethwy can have access to her. Gwydion kills
Pryderi, Prince of
Dyfed, in single combat, and Gilfaethwy rapes Goewin. Math marries Goewin in compensation for her rape, and banishes Gwydion and Gilfaethwy, transforming them into a breeding pair of deer, then pigs, then wolves. After three years they are restored to human form and return. Math needs a new footholder, and Gwydion suggests his sister,
Arianrhod, but when Math magically tests her virginity, she gives birth to two sons. One,
Dylan, immediately takes to the sea. The other is raised by Gwydion, but Arianrhod swears that he will never have a name or arms unless she gives them to him, and refuses to do so. Gwydion tricks her into naming him
Llew Llaw Gyffes (Llew Skilful Hand) and giving him arms. She then swears he will never have a wife of any race living on earth, so Gwydion and Math make him a beautiful wife from flowers, and name her
Blodeuwedd ("Flowers"). Blodeuwedd falls in love with a passing hunter called
Goronwy, and they plot to kill Llew. Blodewedd tricks Llew into revealing the means by which he can be killed, but when Goronwy attempts to do the deed, Llew escapes, though wounded, transformed into an eagle. Gwydion finds Llew and transforms him back into human form, and turns Blodeuwedd into an owl (Blodeuwedd, literally "Flower Face," means "Owl"). Goronwy offers to compensate Llew, but Llew insists on returning the blow that was struck against him. He kills Goronwy with his spear, which is thrown so hard it pierces him through the stone he is hiding behind. ==External links==