Welcome to Bitching about the Mabinogion! This season, we will be reading a set of approximately 12th to 14th century Welsh stories, with much more of a fairy tale vibe than the Decameron. In today's episode, we hear about an emperor of Rome, Macsen Wledig, who was inspired by a dream to seek out and marry Elen, a noble lady of northern Wales.

CONTENT WARNING: Brief mention of genocide/mutilation. Near the end of the episode, two characters are taking a conquering army all over Europe. It is briefly explained (with very little build up) that wherever they went, they killed the men, abducted the women, and later cut out the tongues of the women to prevent them passing on their own language. This is told very matter-of-factly and briefly, but with no criticism, simply as an explanation for a place name.