The Mabinogion Set
The Fractal Structure of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi
9781837723355
Distributed for University of Wales Press
The Mabinogion Set
The Fractal Structure of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi
A new study of classic medieval Welsh stories through the lens of narrative repetition.
The Mabinogion Set is a book about the most famous of medieval Welsh stories: the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. It is also a book about a mathematical phenomenon: fractals. Fractals are mathematical patterns that repeat at every scale, and this study argues that, like natural fractals—snowflakes, tree branches—the Four Branches of the Mabinogi have a repeating structure. In putting forward this new theory, The Mabinogion Set proposes a new type of structural analysis: formal narrative topology, which pays attention not to themes or plot elements but to patterns of repetition within a story. The author also explores the implications of a topological analysis of the Four Branches on our understanding of their possible oral or written origins, authorship, transmission, memorability, and performance.
The Mabinogion Set is a book about the most famous of medieval Welsh stories: the Four Branches of the Mabinogi. It is also a book about a mathematical phenomenon: fractals. Fractals are mathematical patterns that repeat at every scale, and this study argues that, like natural fractals—snowflakes, tree branches—the Four Branches of the Mabinogi have a repeating structure. In putting forward this new theory, The Mabinogion Set proposes a new type of structural analysis: formal narrative topology, which pays attention not to themes or plot elements but to patterns of repetition within a story. The author also explores the implications of a topological analysis of the Four Branches on our understanding of their possible oral or written origins, authorship, transmission, memorability, and performance.
264 pages | 8 maps, 2 tables | 5.43 x 8.5 | © 2026
Literature and Literary Criticism: General Criticism and Critical Theory
Table of Contents
Contents
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgments
PART I: THE FOUR BRANCHES AND FRACTALS
Chapter 1: Introduction
Mathematics and the Mabinogion Set
Studying Fractal Narrative Structure
The Structure of This Book
Chapter 2: Introducing the Mabinogion Set
Linear and Non-Linear Narratives
The Non-Linearity of Medieval Welsh Narratives
The Topology of Textual Fractals
PART II: FRACTAL STRUCTURES IN THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE MABINOGI
Chapter 3: The First Branch of the Mabinogi (Pwyll)
First Branch Episode I
First Branch Episode II
First Branch Episode III
Chapter 4: The Second Branch of the Mabinogi (Branwen)
Second Branch Episode I
Second Branch Episode II
Second Branch Episode III
Chapter 5: The Third Branch of the Mabinogi (Manawydan)
Third Branch Episode I
Third Branch Episode II
Third Branch Episode III
Chapter 6: The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi (Math)
Fourth Branch Episode I
Fourth Branch Episode II
Fourth Branch Episode III
PART III: SPEAKING ABOUT MATH… AND MATH
Chapter 7: Why Four Branches?
The Immanent Whole
Triads and Tetrads
Questions of Unity
Is the Fourth Branch Special?
Chapter 8: The Mabinogion Set, Orality and Memory
Oral Composition?
Oral Performance
A Question of Memory
Chapter 9: Conclusions. Triads Everywhere
The Law of Three and Numerical Patterns in Other Narrative Traditions
What Topological Analysis Tells Us
Whither now?
Abbreviations
Bibliography
Manuscripts
Primary sources
Secondary Sources
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgments
PART I: THE FOUR BRANCHES AND FRACTALS
Chapter 1: Introduction
Mathematics and the Mabinogion Set
Studying Fractal Narrative Structure
The Structure of This Book
Chapter 2: Introducing the Mabinogion Set
Linear and Non-Linear Narratives
The Non-Linearity of Medieval Welsh Narratives
The Topology of Textual Fractals
PART II: FRACTAL STRUCTURES IN THE FOUR BRANCHES OF THE MABINOGI
Chapter 3: The First Branch of the Mabinogi (Pwyll)
First Branch Episode I
First Branch Episode II
First Branch Episode III
Chapter 4: The Second Branch of the Mabinogi (Branwen)
Second Branch Episode I
Second Branch Episode II
Second Branch Episode III
Chapter 5: The Third Branch of the Mabinogi (Manawydan)
Third Branch Episode I
Third Branch Episode II
Third Branch Episode III
Chapter 6: The Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi (Math)
Fourth Branch Episode I
Fourth Branch Episode II
Fourth Branch Episode III
PART III: SPEAKING ABOUT MATH… AND MATH
Chapter 7: Why Four Branches?
The Immanent Whole
Triads and Tetrads
Questions of Unity
Is the Fourth Branch Special?
Chapter 8: The Mabinogion Set, Orality and Memory
Oral Composition?
Oral Performance
A Question of Memory
Chapter 9: Conclusions. Triads Everywhere
The Law of Three and Numerical Patterns in Other Narrative Traditions
What Topological Analysis Tells Us
Whither now?
Abbreviations
Bibliography
Manuscripts
Primary sources
Secondary Sources