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Lludd and Llevelys  (Anonymous: Some Time Before 14th Century)
Notonly is nothing known of the author of this story, but it is hardly possible tomake a good guess within several centuries of the date of its composition. The Mabinogion,from which it is taken, is the title given to a collection of translations madefrom the Welsh by Lady Charlotte Guest some eighty years ago, in which sheincluded twelve old Welsh romances.

The literature of early Wales was extremelyrich; from it sprang a host of stories, of which the most important were thosetreating of King Arthur and his court. In the words of Lady Guest, Welshliterature has “strong claims to be considered the cradle of European romance.”

Thepresent tale, translated by Lady Guest, is reprinted from The Mabinogion,Everyman’s Library, by permission of the publisher, J. M. Dent and Sons.
Lludd and Llevelys
FromThe Mabinogion

Belithe great, the son of Manogan, had three sons, Lludd and Caswallawn, andNynyaw; and according to the story he had a fourth son called Llevelys. Andafter the death of Beli, the kingdom of the Island of Britain fell into thehands of Lludd, his eldest son;  and Lludd ruled prosperously, and rebuiltthe walls of London, and encompassed it about with numberless towers.

And afterthat he bade the citizens build houses therein, such as no houses in thekingdoms could, equal. And moreover he was a mighty warrior, and generous andliberal in giving meat and drink to all that sought them. And though he hadmany castles and cities this one loved he more than any. And he dwelt thereinmost part of the year, and therefore was it called Caer Lludd, and at last CaerLondon. And after the stranger-race came there, it was called London, orLwndrys.

Lludd and Llevelys part 5

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Andwhen this was ended, King Lludd caused an exceeding great banquet to beprepared. And when it was ready, he placed a vessel of cold water by his side,and he in his own proper person...

Lludd and Llevelys part 4

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Andthen, in thine own person do thou remain there watching, and thou wilt see thedragon fighting in the form of terrific animals. And at length they will takethe form of dragons in the air....

Lludd and Llevelys part 3

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Andwhen these tidings came to Llevelys, seeing that he know not the cause of hisbrother`s ships, he came on the other side to meet him, and with him was afleet vast of size. And...

Lludd and Llevelys part 2

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Sohe prepared ships and filled them with armed knights, and set forth towardsFrance. And as soon as they had landed, they sent messengers to show the noblesof France the cause of the embassy. And...

Lludd and Llevelys part 1

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Lludd and Llevelys (Anonymous: Some Time Before 14th Century)Notonly is nothing known of the author of this story, but it is hardly possible tomake a good guess within several centuries of the date...

Sea Captain

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