batch.motif.celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg-l4967-l5059
---
record_id: batch.motif.celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg-l4967-l5059
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
passage_locator:
label: C. E. G. / THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN / PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC / GERAINT
THE SON OF ERBIN; lines 4967-5059
start: '4967'
end: '5059'
translation: The Mabinogion
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Arthur sends Gwrhyr, Eidoel, Kai, and Bedwyr to seek Mabon son of Modron.
They consult a succession of ancient animals, each older than the last, until
the Eagle directs them to the Salmon of Llyn Llyw. The salmon carries Kai and
Gwrhyr to Gloucester, where they hear Mabon lamenting in a stone prison. Arthur
then musters warriors, attacks the castle, and Kai breaks into the dungeon and
carries Mabon away to freedom.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: Arthur assigns Gwrhyr, Eidoel, Kai, and Bedwyr to continue the quest for Mabon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: Gwrhyr is described as knowing all languages and being familiar with the languages
of birds and beasts.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: Mabon son of Modron is repeatedly described as having been taken from his
mother when he was three nights old.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: obs:4
text: The questers consult the Ousel of Cilgwri, who marks age by the wearing away
of a smith's anvil through pecking.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The Ousel says an older race of animals exists and guides Arthur's embassy
onward.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: The Stag of Redynvre marks age by the growth and decay of an oak from sapling
to withered stump.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd marks age by changes in a valley from wooded glen through
multiple woods and says the Eagle is the oldest animal in the world and the most
travelled.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:8
text: The Eagle of Gwern Abwy marks age by the wearing down of a rock from which
it once pecked at the stars.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Eagle recounts conflict and later peace with the Salmon of Llyn Llyw,
including the removal of fifty fish spears from the salmon's back.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: The Salmon of Llyn Llyw says it travels upstream with every tide toward Gloucester
and has found wrongdoing near the walls there.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:11
text: Kai and Gwrhyr ride on the salmon's shoulders to the wall of the prison and
hear lamentation from the dungeon.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:12
text: Mabon identifies himself as imprisoned in the stone house and says his release
will be gained by fighting.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:13
text: Arthur gathers warriors, attacks the castle at Gloucester, and Kai breaks
through the wall into the dungeon, carrying Mabon away.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:14
text: Arthur returns home with Mabon at liberty.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: Arthur
description: Lord who sends an embassy on the quest and later summons warriors to
free Mabon.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Gwrhyr Gwalstawt Ieithoedd
description: Quest envoy described as knowing all languages, including those of
birds and beasts; questions the animals and Mabon.
role_refs:
- role:2
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Eidoel
description: Companion assigned by Arthur to search for his cousin.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Kai
description: Companion sent on the quest; rides on the salmon and later breaks into
the dungeon and carries Mabon away.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:8
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Bedwyr
description: Companion sent on the quest and later travels on the fish's shoulders
during the rescue attack.
role_refs:
- role:3
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:8
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Mabon the son of Modron
description: Person sought by Arthur's embassy; taken from his mother at three nights
old and found imprisoned in a dungeon at Gloucester.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Modron
description: Mother from whom Mabon was taken when he was three nights old.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:6
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Ousel of Cilgwri
description: Ancient bird consulted by the embassy; does not know Mabon but guides
them to older animals.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: Stag of Redynvre
description: Ancient animal consulted by the embassy; does not know Mabon but guides
them onward.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd
description: Ancient animal consulted by the embassy; directs them to the Eagle
of Gwern Abwy.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Eagle of Gwern Abwy
description: Ancient and widely travelled animal who directs the embassy to the
Salmon of Llyn Llyw.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:12
name_or_label: Salmon of Llyn Llyw
description: Powerful salmon who travels upstream with every tide and carries Kai
and Gwrhyr toward Mabon's prison.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: fig:13
name_or_label: Arthur's warriors
description: Warriors summoned by Arthur to attack the castle where Mabon is imprisoned.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: quest-giver
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: Arthur instructs named companions to achieve the adventure for him.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: interpreter of animal languages
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: Arthur says Gwrhyr knows all languages and is familiar with those of birds
and beasts.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: quest envoy
assigned_to:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Arthur sends these figures forward on the search for Mabon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:4
label: rescuer
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Kai and Bedwyr are involved in the final rescue approach, and Kai breaks
into the dungeon and carries Mabon away.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:5
label: abducted and imprisoned captive
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: Mabon was taken from his mother as an infant and is later found imprisoned
in a dungeon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
- id: role:6
label: bereaved mother
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: Mabon is described as having been taken from between his mother and the wall
when three nights old.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:7
label: ancient animal informant-guide
assigned_to:
- fig:8
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
- fig:12
basis: Each animal is consulted for knowledge of Mabon, and several guide the embassy
to an older or better-informed animal.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: armed liberator force
assigned_to:
- fig:1
- fig:13
basis: Arthur summons warriors, attacks the castle, and returns with Mabon at liberty.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: animal bearer across water
assigned_to:
- fig:12
basis: The salmon carries Kai and Gwrhyr on its shoulders to the prison wall.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: worn anvil as measure of immense age
literal_form: smith's anvil worn down by the Ousel's evening pecking
associated_figures:
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: oak life cycle as measure of immense age
literal_form: oak sapling growing into a hundred-branched oak and decaying into
a withered stump
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: sym:3
label: successive woods in a valley
literal_form: wooded glen cleared by men and followed by second and third woods
associated_figures:
- fig:10
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: worn rock and stars
literal_form: rock once high enough for the Eagle to peck at the stars, now less
than a span high
associated_figures:
- fig:11
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: lake, river, and tide route
literal_form: Llyn Llyw and the salmon's tidal journey upstream toward Gloucester
associated_figures:
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:6
label: salmon as carrier and informant
literal_form: salmon bearing two men on its shoulders to the prison wall
associated_figures:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:7
label: stone prison and dungeon
literal_form: house of stone, prison wall, and dungeon where Mabon laments
associated_figures:
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:8
label: fish spears in the salmon's back
literal_form: fifty fish spears removed from the salmon's back after conflict with
the Eagle
associated_figures:
- fig:11
- fig:12
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Arthur commissions the search
summary: Arthur sends Gwrhyr, Eidoel, Kai, and Bedwyr to pursue the adventure of
finding Mabon, emphasizing Gwrhyr's knowledge of languages.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: The Ousel directs the embassy to older animals
summary: The embassy asks the Ousel about Mabon; the Ousel denies knowledge, describes
its age through the worn anvil, and guides them onward.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: The Stag directs the embassy onward
summary: The Stag denies knowing Mabon, describes the growth and decay of an oak,
and guides the embassy to an older animal.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: The Owl directs the embassy to the Eagle
summary: The Owl denies knowing Mabon, describes changes in the valley and woods,
and identifies the Eagle as the oldest and most travelled animal.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: The Eagle directs the embassy to the Salmon
summary: The Eagle denies long knowledge of Mabon except through the Salmon, describes
its age through a worn rock, and recounts its conflict and peace with the Salmon.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
- fig:11
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
- sym:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:6
label: The Salmon carries envoys to the prison
summary: The Salmon says it travels toward Gloucester and carries Kai and Gwrhyr
to the prison wall, where they hear lamentation from the dungeon.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:6
- fig:12
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:7
label: Mabon speaks from the stone prison
summary: Gwrhyr asks who laments in the stone house; Mabon identifies himself and
says his release will be obtained by fighting.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:8
label: Assault on Gloucester and liberation of Mabon
summary: Arthur gathers warriors and attacks the castle; Kai breaks through the
dungeon wall and carries Mabon away, and Arthur returns with Mabon free.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:6
- fig:12
- fig:13
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: quest through a chain of ancient animal informants
taxonomy_refs:
- mystical_quest
basis: Arthur's envoys pursue a difficult search by questioning successive ancient
animals, each guiding them to an older or better-informed being until the captive's
location is found.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage itself presents a quest structure
but does not name it as mystical.
- id: motif:2
label: abducted infant later found imprisoned
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: Mabon is described as taken from his mother when three nights old and is
later discovered lamenting in a dungeon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No available taxonomy reference exactly matches this passage-level pattern.
- id: motif:3
label: animal helper carries heroes to hidden captive
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Salmon carries Kai and Gwrhyr on its shoulders to the prison wall, enabling
the discovery of Mabon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The helper is an animal guide and bearer, but the passage does not frame
the event with a named motif label.
- id: motif:4
label: armed rescue from stone dungeon
taxonomy_refs:
- return
basis: Arthur's warriors attack the castle; Kai breaks through the dungeon wall
and brings Mabon out, after which Arthur returns home with Mabon free.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
confidence: medium
cautions: The return taxonomy is broad and only partly captures the rescue-and-return
sequence.
- id: motif:5
label: immense age measured by erosion and ecological change
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: 'The Ousel, Stag, Owl, and Eagle each describe great age through material
or landscape changes: an anvil worn away, an oak''s lifespan, successive woods,
and a rock reduced in height.'
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: This is a recurring descriptive pattern within the passage, not an assigned
taxonomy motif.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 4967-4975
quote_or_summary: Arthur tells Gwrhyr, Eidoel, Kai, and Bedwyr to pursue the quest;
Gwrhyr is singled out as knowing all languages, including those of birds and beasts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 4977-4990
quote_or_summary: The embassy asks the Ousel of Cilgwri about Mabon, taken from
his mother at three nights old; the Ousel says it has never heard of him, describes
the worn anvil as a marker of age, and offers to guide them to older animals.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 4992-5004
quote_or_summary: The Stag of Redynvre is asked about Mabon; it describes an oak
growing from sapling to hundred-branched tree and decaying to a stump, denies
knowledge, and guides them to an older animal.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 5006-5017
quote_or_summary: The Owl of Cwm Cawlwyd is asked about Mabon; it describes the
valley's successive woods, denies knowledge, and guides the embassy to the Eagle
of Gwern Abwy, called the oldest and most travelled animal.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 5019-5035
quote_or_summary: The Eagle of Gwern Abwy is asked about Mabon; it describes a rock
worn down from star-pecking height, tells of conflict and peace with the Salmon
of Llyn Llyw, and guides the embassy to the salmon.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: lines 5037-5048
quote_or_summary: The Salmon of Llyn Llyw says it travels upstream toward Gloucester
with every tide and has found wrongdoing there; Kai and Gwrhyr ride on its shoulders
to the prison wall and hear lamentation from the dungeon.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 5048-5053
quote_or_summary: Gwrhyr asks who laments in the stone house; Mabon son of Modron
answers that he is imprisoned there and says release will be obtained by fighting.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 5054-5059
quote_or_summary: The envoys report Mabon's prison to Arthur; Arthur summons warriors
to Gloucester, the castle is attacked, Kai breaks into the dungeon and carries
Mabon away, and Arthur returns home with Mabon at liberty.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/celtic-welsh/project-gutenberg/mabinogion-guest.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary supplied for extraction.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is strongly supported by the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy
assignments are cautious because the available taxonomy contains broad families
rather than exact labels for the ancient-animal chain and imprisoned-child rescue
patterns. No comparison claims were made.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
All observations and motif candidates are based only on the provided passage and metadata.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:celtic-welsh-mabinogion-guest-gutenberg__l4967-l5059
passage_sha256=537a38b117adacbc9c4f3db63ae8d47f4a036abc078b54e29d6e3c5dba9d80cb