Oak, Broom and Meadowsweet: A Book of Blodeuwedd

Oak, Broom and Meadowsweet: A Book of BlodeuweddThe story of Blodeuwedd, from the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion, has been a source of fascination for readers and listeners for many centuries. A young woman created out of flowers by two magicians, Blodeuwedd is pledged to marry Lleu even before she has drawn breath, but the magic of her male creators cannot suppress her own desires. Her fate is to be transformed into an owl in punishment for refusing to accept the life that has been pre ordained

The story of Blodeuwedd, from the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogion, has been a source of fascination for readers and listeners for many centuries. A young woman created out of flowers by two magicians, Blodeuwedd is pledged to marry Lleu even before she has drawn breath, but the magic of her male creators cannot suppress her own desires. Her fate is to be transformed into an owl in punishment for refusing to accept the life that has been pre-ordained for her. The legend of Blodeuwedd encodes the story of a seasonal goddess of sovereignty which lies at the heart of Welsh mythology, at the same time as embodying women's historical struggle for self-determination. Giles Watson's poem allows Blodeuwedd to tell her own story. The author brings not only his love for Welsh culture, but also his experience as a rehabilitator of wild owls, to the task of giving Blodeuwedd a voice of her own.