Beli the Great, son of Manogan, had three sons: Lludd, Kasswallawn and Nynnyaw; according to the story, he even had a fourth, Llevelys. After Beli's death, the kingdom of Brittany returned to Lludd, his eldest son. he ruled it prosperously, renewed the walls of Llundein (London) and surrounded them with innumerable towers. Then he ordered all the citizens to build houses there such as there were none so high in the other kingdoms.
Llud and Llevelys
He was also a good warrior; he was generous, widely distributing food and drink to all who asked for it. Although he possessed many fortified towns and cities, this was the one he preferred; he spent the greater part of the year there. That is why it was called Kaer Lludd; in the end, she called herself Kaer Lundein; it was after it had been invaded by a foreign nation that it took the name of Llundein or Llwndrys. Of all his brothers he liked best was Llevelys, because he was a prudent and wise man.
Llevelys having learned that the king of France had died without any other heir than a daughter and that he had left all his estates in his hands, came to find his brother Lludd to ask his advice and support; he was thinking less of his interest than of the increase in honour, elevation and dignity which would result for their race if he could go to the kingdom of France to ask for this young heiress as a wife.
His brother agreed with him on the spot and approved his project. immediately ships were equipped and filled with armed knights, and Llevelys set out for France. Immediately disembarked. they sent messengers to the nobles of France to explain to them the object of their expedition. After deliberation, by mutual agreement, the nobles and chiefs of the country gave Llevelys the maiden with the crown of France. He never ceased to govern his States with prudence, wisdom and happiness until the end of his life.
Some time had already passed when three plagues fell on the island of Britain, such as had never been seen. The first was a particular race called the Corannyeit: such was their knowledge that there was no conversation on the whole surface of the island, however low one spoke, that they did not know, if the wind came to surprise her; so that they could not be harmed.
The second scourge was a loud cry that was heard every May Day night above every home in the Isle of Britain; it passed through the hearts of humans and caused them such fright that men lost their color and their strength; women, children in their womb; young men and young women, their reason. Animals, trees, earth, waters all remained sterile. This is what the third scourge consisted of: it was no use collecting provisions in the king's courts, had there been food and drink for a year, we had only what was consumed on the first night.
The first plague was spreading out in broad daylight, but no one knew the cause of the other two, so there was more hope of getting rid of the first than the second or third. King Lludd conceived much care and anxiety, not knowing how he could get rid of it. He summoned all the nobles of his domains and asked their advice on the measures to be taken against these scourges. On the unanimous opinion of his nobles, Lludd, son of Belize reeled himself to go to Llevelys, king of Fringes who was known for the excellence of his advice and his wisdom to ask his advice.
They prepared a fleet, and that in quiet secrecy. lest the motive of their expedition should be known to the invaders, or to any one except the king and councillors. When they were ready, Lludd and those he had chosen embarked and began to ply the waves in the direction of France. On learning of the approach of this fleet, Llevelys, who did not know the cause of his brother's expedition, advanced from the opposite shore to meet him with a very considerable fleet.
Seeing this Lludd left all his ships at sea, except one on which he boarded to meet his brother. This one also came to meet him with a single ship. Immediately reunited. they embraced and greeted each other with fraternal tenderness. Lludd explained to his brother the motive of his expedition; Llevelys replied that he knew the reasons for his trip to this country. They concerted to find another mode of conversation about their affairs, so that the wind could not reach their words and the Corannyeit could not know what they would say.
Llevelys therefore had a large copper horn made and it was through this horn that they conversed. But whatever one of them might say to the other, she only told him disagreeable remarks of quite the opposite meaning. Llevelys seeing the devil getting in the way and causing trouble through the horn! had wine poured into it, washed it and expelled the devil from it by virtue of the wine.
When they could talk without hindrance, Llevelys told his brother that he would give him certain insects, some of which he would keep alive in order to perpetuate the race in case the same plague should arise a second time, and which he would crush. the rest in water. He assured him that it was a good way to destroy the Corannyeit race, here is how:
As soon as he arrived in his kingdom, he would unite in the same plaid all his own people, and the nation of the Corannyeit, under the pretext of making peace between them. When they were all reunited, he would take this marvelous water and spurt on all of them indiscriminately. Llevelys asserted that this water would poison the Corannyeit race, but that it would not kill or harm anyone of his own nation. "As for the second scourge of your States," he added, "it is a dragon. A dragon of a foreign race fights with it, and seeks to defeat it.
That's why your own dragon lets out a frightening cry. Here's how you can find out. On your return home, have this island measured from top to bottom: at the place where you will find the exact center point of the island, have a hole dug, place a vat full of mead there, the best that we can do, and cover the tub with a coat of brocade. That done, watch yourself, in person, and you will see the dragons fighting in the form of fearsome animals.
They will eventually appear in the air in the form of dragons, and, lastly, when they are exhausted from a furious and terrible fight, they will fall on the mantle in the form of two swine; they will sink with the cloak, and will pull it with them to the bottom of the basin; they will drink all the mead and then fall asleep.
So, fold the cloak all around them, have them buried, locked in a stone chest, in the strongest place of your States, and hide them well in the ground. As long as they are in this stronghold, no invasion will come from elsewhere in the island of Britain. This is the cause of the third plague. He is a powerful magician who removes your food, your drink, and your provisions; by his magic and his charms he puts everyone to sleep.
You will also have to take care in person of the dishes of your banquets and your provisions. So that he can't put you to sleep, have a tub full of water next to you. When you feel that sleep takes hold of you. Throw yourself into the tank. "
Lludd then returned to his country. He immediately invited all his people and those of the Corannyeit to meet with him. Following Llevelys' instructions, he crushed the insects in water, and threw the water indiscriminately on all of them. Immediately the entire Corannyeit tribe was destroyed, without any of the Bretons suffered the slightest harm. Some time later, Lludd had the island of Britain measured lengthwise and broadside. He found the central point at Rytychen (Oxford). He had a hole dug there, and placed in the hole a vat full of the best mead that could be made, with a brocade coat over it.
He himself watched in person that night. While he was thus on the lookout, he saw the dragons fighting. When they were tired and couldn't stand it any longer, they climbed down on the cloak and dragged it with them to the bottom of the tank. After they finished drinking the mead, they fell asleep. While they slept, Lludd folded the cloak around them and buried them. locked in a stone chest, in the safest place he found in the mountains of Eryri. Dinas Emreis was called from this place; previously he was called Dinas Ffaraon Dandde. Thus ceased this violent cry which troubled the whole kingdom.
This done, King Lludd had a huge feast prepared. When everything was ready, he had a tub full of cold water placed beside him, and he personally watched beside him. While he was thus fully armed, about the third watch of the night he heard many charming stories. and extraordinary, varied music, and he felt he could not resist sleep.
Rather than allow himself to be stopped in his project and overcome by sleep, he threw himself into the water several times. At last a very tall man, covered with heavy and sturdy weapons, entered, carrying a basket, and proceeded to pile up, as he was wont, all the provisions of food and drink.
Then he proceeded to go out with the whole thing. What surprised Lludd most was that so much could fit in the basket. Lludd rushed after him and said, “Wait, wait. If you have done me many affronts and caused many losses, henceforth you will not do it again, unless the arms decide that you are stronger and more valiant than me. The man immediately put the basket down and waited for it. A furious fight ensued between them: sparks flew from their weapons. At the end, Lludd seizes him; Fate willed that the victory remained to him; he threw the oppressor under him on the ground.
Overcome by the strength and valor of Lludd, he asked him for mercy. 'How,' said the king, 'could I give you thanks after all the losses and slights I have experienced from you? "" All that I made you lose ", he replied" I will know how to compensate you completely. I will trust no more such thing, and henceforth I will be a faithful vassal to you." The king accepted. It was thus that Lludd rid the island of Britain of these three scourges. From then until the end of his life, Lludd son of Beli ruled the isle of Britain in peace and prosperity.
This tale is known as the Adventure of Lludd and Llevelys. This is how it ends.
