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Mabinogi(Mabinogion) This was an important collec-
tion of medieval Welsh folk tales, legends, and
ROMANCES. The name of the work was applied by a 19th
century translator, Charlotte Guest. The collection con-
sisted of 11 units, divided into three groups. The first
four related stories were tales of Pwyll, the prince of
Dyfed, Branwen, the daughter of Llyˆr; Manawydan, the
son of Llyˆr; and Math, the son of Mathonwy. These are
followed by four other tales and by three romances, that
are similar to stories in CHRÉTIEN DETROYES,Geraint Son
of Erbin, The Lady of the Fountain,and Peredur Son of
Efrawg.Composed in their present form between about
1050 and 1120, probably by a cleric in south WALES, they
were based on an oral tradition that had its origins in
Celtic mythology and reflected the craft of a Welsh teller
of tales. The chief characters were based on Celtic gods
and goddesses, transferred to contemporary aristocratic
environment. It has survived in two late 14th-century
manuscripts, but the earliest stories may go to the 11th
century.
The three romances have features that suggest a
bilingual environment in southeastern Wales open to
ANGLO-NORMAN and French influences. Probably the
work of more than one author, these romances were part
of an Arthurian cycle. The earliest VERNACULARArthurian
narrative, they reflected the aristocratic and chivalric cul-
ture of their time.
See alsoARTHUR, KING, ANDARTHURIAN LITERATURE.
Further reading:Jeffrey Gantz, trans., The Mabino-
gion(New York: Penguin Books, 1976); A. O. H. Jarman
and Gwilym Rees Hughes, eds., A Guide to Welsh Litera-
ture, Vol. 1 (Swansea: C. Davies, 1976), 189–202,
203–243.

MacAlpin, Kenneth I(Cináed mac Allpín)(r. ca.

834–858)traditional founder of the kingdom of Scotland

In the face of attacks from the Britons, the VIKINGS, and

the people of neighboring Lothian, Kenneth tried to unite

the people of the future kingdom of SCOTLAND, the PICTS

and the Dalriadan Scots. As king of Dalriada, he trans-

ported the RELICSof Saint Columba from Iona to Dunkeld

to protect them and establish a religious center. The new

kingdom was called Alba or Albany. After founding a per-

manent patrilineal dynasty, he died in 858.

Further reading:Alan Orr Anderson, Early Sources of

Scottish History, A.D. 500 to 1286(Edinburgh: Oliver and

Boyd, 1922); Archibald A. M. Duncan, Scotland, the Mak-

ing of the Kingdom(Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd, 1975).

Macbeth(r. 1040–1057)king of Scots

The grandson of King Kenneth II (r. 971–995). Macbeth

was a member of the northern Cenél Loairn branch of the

Dalriadan royal house. In 1031 he inherited the earldom

of Murray or Moray in northern Scotland from his father.

In 1040 he revolted against his cousin, King Duncan I

(r. 1034–40), and killed him. He married the daughter of

Kenneth III (r. 997–1005), Gruoch (fl. 1040–57) and

took the kingship for himself. He actually only was able

to attain the throne after four years of civil war. Even so

the rest of reign was marked by periodic civil war and

dynastic conflict. It was peaceful enough, however, to

allow Macbeth to make a pilgrimage to ROME, where he

acquired renown through his generosity to the poor. Sup-

ported by the ANGLO-SAXONS, the future king, Malcolm

III (r. 1058–93), laid a legitimate claim to the throne. In

1057 Macbeth was killed by Malcolm’s troops. Macbeth