The Two Kings - Harlech, Wales, UK
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 52° 51.567 W 004° 06.536
30U E 425338 N 5857211
"The Two Kings" brings to life a moment in Celtic mythology
Waymark Code: WM4QWE
Location: North Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/21/2008
Views: 22
Near Harlech Castle is "The Two Kings" sculpture. It depicts the sad story of Branwen, a tale from a collection of Celtic mythological stories known as The Mabinogion.
Bendigeidfran, King of the Island of the Mighty, was at his court at Harlech when Matholwch, King of Ireland, landed. He asked for the hand of Branwen, Bendigeidfran`s sister. The marriage took place and the royal couple had a son called Gwern who became king.
Later there was a war between the two countries caused by Bendigeidfran defending his sister's honor, and during the conflict Gwern was killed.
The sculpture is of Bendigeidfran with the body of his nephew.
The informational plaque reads:
The Mabinogion story of Branwen is a lament over the folly and carnage of war. Branwen, sister of Bendigeidfran, the King of Britain, departed from the court at Harlech to marry the King of Ireland. Their son, the boy King Gwern, was killed in the war which followed.
In the sculpture, the figure of Bendigeidfran, bearing the body of his nephew Gwern, symbolises the sorrowful burden that love can be.
Commissioned by the Welsh Arts Council and presented to the people of Wales in 1984.
Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: The Two Kings
Figure Type: Combination of two figure types
Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Ivor Roberts-Jones
Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1984
Materials used: Bronze
Location: near Harlech Castle
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