Myths & More

Lake of the Green Well It was a gray, cloudy day when a wanderer passed through the mountains of Cwym Dyli. After walking for miles, the traveler was tired and decided to take a break. Looking around they happened to find a lake that was a deep shade of evergreen, and resolved to rest by the water bank for the afternoon. It was then that they spotted something quite odd swimming around in the water. Peering closer, they saw the scaly hide of something large and gliding about. Before they could utter a sound, a large creature rose up from the water and hissed, sneering down at them. “What are you?” said the stunned traveler. “I am the Afanc,” said the serpent, writhing about. “Have you come here to make a mockery of me?” “Why would I do that?” “Because that is what your people do,” the Afanc hissed. “They come to Llyn y Ffynnon Las to see if they can catch a glimpse of me. They like to taunt and tease the beast you see before you.” The Afanc swished its tail and gave the traveler a ...

Illustration by Willy Pogány Link to story. Title: Why the Red Dragon is the Emblem of Wales Publication: The Welsh Fairy Book, 1908 Author: W. Jenkyn Thomas Notes: William Jenkyn Thomas (July 5, 1870—March 14, 1959) was a Welsh author, lecturer and teacher best known for The Welsh Fairy Book, published in 1908. The illustrations were made by William Andrew Pogány, or Willy Pogány (August 24, 1882—July 30, 1955), a Hungarian illustrator known for his pen and ink drawings of myths and fables. Characters: King Vortigern 12 wise men The Saxons Myrddin Emrys (Merlin) Aurelius Ambrosius Places: Eryni Mountains, Gwynedd (Wales) Dinas Emrys Summit (previously Dinas Ffaraon Summit) Events: King Vortigern calls for his wise men The wise men suggest fortifying a new city Though the city is supposed to be built in Dinas Ffaraon Summit, materials go missing The wise men advise the king to find a fatherless child and use his blood on the citadel A boy from Bassaleg named Myrddin Emrys is b...

The Afanc, by Willy Pogány Link to story. Title: Hu Gadarn Publication: The Welsh Fairy Book, 1908 Author: W. Jenkyn Thomas Notes: William Jenkyn Thomas (July 5, 1870—March 14, 1959) was a Welsh author, lecturer and teacher best known for The Welsh Fairy Book , published in 1908. The illustrations were made by William Andrew Pogány, or Willy Pogány (August 24, 1882—July 30, 1955), a Hungarian illustrator known for his pen and ink drawings of myths and fables. Characters: Hu Gadarn (Hu the Mighty) Cymry people (Welsh) The Afanc, a variety of dragon Places: Honey Island (Britain) Deffrobani (Summer Country, Wales) Llyn Llion (Lake of Waves), the Afanc’s home Llyn y Ffynnon Las (Lake of the Green Well), the Afanc’s prison Events: Hu Gadarn rules over the Cymry people Hu Gadarn and the Cymry move from Deffrobani to Honey Island The Cymry are troubled by the Afanc, a monster flooding their homeland Hu Gadarn uses a girl as bait to lure the Afanc elsewhere While the girl distracts ...