Myths and Legends

Welsh Myths and Legends: Gods, Fairies and Folklore
The Mari Lwyd horse skull of Welsh winter tradition
Updated September 24, 2026

Mari Lwyd: The Snapping Horse Skull Tradition

The Mari Lwyd is a Welsh midwinter tradition in which a decorated horse skull, mounted on a pole, is carried door to door by a singing party. At each thresho...

Historia Regum Britanniae manuscript medieval history: Geoffrey of Monmouth's chronicle of British kings and Arthurian legends
Updated September 24, 2026

Historia Regum Britanniae

Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia Regum Britanniae transformed the "Matter of Britain" into a grand historical epic. Spanning two thousand years—from the mythi...

The History of the Kings of Britain
Updated September 04, 2026

The History of the Kings of Britain

Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (c. 1136) gave medieval Britain a heroic national story, from Brutus of Troy to Arthur's golden age and the ...

Merlin the wizard medieval legend mystical forest: Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend, and medieval magical traditions of Wales and Britain
Updated September 04, 2026

Myths and Legends

The realm of myths and legends breathes life into history, transforming ancient landscapes into settings for epic tales. From the prophecies of Merlin to the...

Curriculum Alignment

This section directly supports WJEC GCSE & A-Level modules in Welsh Cultural History, Welsh Writing in English, and Heritage Studies. Use these articles to explore foundational texts like The Mabinogion and understand how mythic symbolism shaped medieval Welsh national identity.

Key Curriculum & Subject Alignments

  • WJEC GCSE & A-Level Welsh / Welsh Second Language:Relevance: Direct match for cultural identity modules, oral presentation preparation, and literary appreciation. Understanding core folk figures like Branwen or Rhiannon provides essential background for analyzing historical Welsh prose and cultural heritage.
  • WJEC & Eduqas A-Level English Literature:Module: Welsh Writing in English / Comparative LiteratureRelevance: Essential reading for students evaluating how medieval oral traditions influenced Anglo-Welsh poetry, drama, and modern mythopoeic literature (such as Arthurian legend revisions).
  • WJEC & OCR GCSE/A-Level History (Cultural & Social Context):Module: Studies in Depth: Medieval Wales and NationhoodRelevance: Offers crucial context on how myth was weaponised politically in medieval Wales. For example, stories like Lludd and Llevelys (featuring the Red and White dragons) were used by native princes and later Tudor monarchs to legitimize sovereignty and Welsh identity.
  • Key Stage 3 & GCSE Expressive Arts / Drama (Wales Curriculum):Relevance: Supports interdisciplinary units under the Curriculum for Wales framework, focusing on local storytelling, mythic narrative structures, and regional folklore.