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The Iron House, the Men in Bags, and the Severed Head
Patrick SimsWilliams

in Irish Influence on Medieval Welsh Literature

Published in print: 2010 Published Online:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
January 2011
DOI: 10.1093/
ISBN: 9780199588657 eISBN: 9780191595431 acprof:oso/9780199588657.003.0010
Item type: chapter

This chapter (continuing from Chapter 9) begins with the Iron House
story in Branwen. Arson in medieval life and literature is discussed, with
special reference to Norse material and the Irish sagas Orgain Denna Rg
and Mesca Ulad, but also the Grimms' Six Go Through the World and
Vercelli Homily IX. It is argued that the Brama, first attested in the Book
of Leinster, is the best Irish parallel to Branwen and that a version of it,
probably from St Maedc's monastery at Ferns, Co. Wexford, influenced
the Welsh author here and in his Men in the Bags episode. A Leinster
sequel, The Battle of Allen, may have influenced his story of Brn's
severed head. The Welsh king Brn and Irish king Brandub seem to have
been equated.

The Submission of Irish Kings in Fact and Fiction

Patrick SimsWilliams

in Irish Influence on Medieval Welsh Literature

Published in print: 2010 Published Online:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
January 2011
DOI: 10.1093/
ISBN: 9780199588657 eISBN: 9780191595431 acprof:oso/9780199588657.003.0008
Item type: chapter

This chapter discusses possible allusions in the Second Branch of

the Mabinogi, Branwen, to Irish customs relating to hospitality and
submission to an overlord, with particular reference to Brian Brama,
Athelstan, Henry II, Easter houses, and the use of halls and tents. Texts
discussed include Gesta Regis Henrici Secundi, Annals of Inisfallen,
Annals of Ulster, Annals of Tigernach, Mac Carthaigh's Book, Expugnatio
Hibernica, Thady Dowling, Vita Sanctae Monennae, Chaucer's House of
Fame, Tromdm Guaire, Scla Cano meic Gartnin, Scla Mucce Meic
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Dath, Fled Bricrenn, Orgain Denna Rg, and Vitae of St Gwynllyw and St
Gwenfrewy.

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