Branwen Daughter of Llŷr

Bendigeidfran, the giant King of Britain, sat upon the cliffs of Harlech when he saw the ships of Matholwch, King of Ireland, approaching to seek the hand of his sister, Branwen. The marriage was celebrated to forge an alliance, but Efnysien, Branwen's volatile half-brother, felt insulted that his consent was not sought. In a rage, he mutilated Matholwch’s horses. To keep the peace, Bendigeidfran gifted Matholwch a magical cauldron that could resurrect the dead. In Ireland, despite the initial peace, the Irish people grew resentful of the past insult. They forced Branwen into the palace kitchens as a common servant. She tamed a starling and sent a message to her brother across the sea. Bendigeidfran led a massive invasion, wading across the Irish Sea to rescue her. A terrible battle ensued where Efnysien destroyed the magic cauldron from within but died in the process. Only seven Britons survived, and the Irish were nearly wiped out. Branwen, returning to Wales and seeing the ruin her marriage had caused to both nations, died of a broken heart.