James Baquet

When Beli (or Heli) — the ancient (and mythical) British king — died, his eldest son Lludd gained the throne. This Lludd, they say, founded London, and gave it a version of his name. This is less likely when you realize he is also the Celtic god Nodens.

Anyway, Lludd helped the youngest of his three brothers, Llevelys, woo and win the daughter of the King of Gaul (France) after that king died, so the two brothers ruled the two kingdoms in harmony.

As Lludd was dwelling at Caer Lludd (later called Caer London), three plagues beset him and his people. In the first, a race of people called Coranians came to the island, with such great knowledge that nothing could be discussed in the land but that the Coranians knew “anything the wind touches,” and turned it to their advantage.

Second, on every May eve, a shriek was heard throughout the island that caused men to tremble in fear, caused pregnant women to miscarry children, caused young people to lose their senses, and left animals barren.

The third plague caused all of the king’s stores over and again to disappear in a single night when everyone was asleep.

Unsure what to do, Lludd sailed to France to consult with his wise brother. Llevelys had a long brass horn fashioned, so that one brother spoke into one end and the other put his ear to the other, and they could speak to each other without the Coranians hearing.

The solutions Llevelys gave were these: Crush a certain insect and make a mixture with it. Call together the Britons and the Coranians for a “peace conference” and spread it over all. The Coranians will die; the Britons will be immune.

The second plague came from a red dragon and a white one fighting at the exact center of the island (Oxford). Get them drunk, capture them, and bury them in a stone box and all would be well.

Finally, a “mighty magician” was casting a spell on the court to carry away their stores in a magic hamper that could hold as much as he could put in. Lludd should stay awake by dipping his head in a vat of cold water whenever he felt sleepy, then confront and fight the magician.

All went well: The Coranians died, and the dragons were vanquished, and the defeated magician became a servant to the king.

Vocabulary:

Which word above means:

1. a large basket, usually with a cover

2. attacked, surrounded by

3. beaten

4. placing briefly

5. a large pot or cauldron

6. unaffected by

7. court, try to marry

8. lose (a baby)

9. unable to have children

10. a piercing scream