birds and horses motif

birds and horses are a powerful theme in Branwen Daughter of Llyr . Both of these have a role in the insult of a king, either matholwch or Bedndigeidfran. The horses of matholwch were maimed causing insult to matholwch. Birds were used to insult Bendigeidfran. Branwen sends a bird to her brother telling him of how the irish are abusing her. Birds are also used to symbolize freedom. branwen used a bird in part of her plan to escape.