Welsh Legends: Druids, Saints, and a Faithful Hound
Here are three well-known Welsh
legends - and one written by an excursioner. The Druid Merwin,
who influenced King Authur; the patron saint of Ireland, David,
who performed miracles when the early Christians were struggling
for power with the Druid priests; and the amazing dog named
Gelert, after whom a town is named. (So what if an 18th-century
innkeeper revised this legend to help market his village, naming
the dog Gelert and introducing Prince Llewellyn?) And click
on to Annette's legend to learn about the origin of the beautiful
mountains of Snowdonia!
Mareike Link & Christoph Meinecke
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Merlin
According to legend, Merlin was born
in Carmarthen, South Wales, and was raised by his mother and nuns in
the Church of St. Peter.
Merlin’s mother was the daughter of the King of South Wales and
his father, as described by other wizards, was a spirit who lived between
moon and earth.
Merlin spent most of his time in the area of Caerleon where he helped
and advised King Arthur.
In Merlin’s old age, he fell in love with a beautiful girl called
Vivien, who persuaded him, in return for her passion, to divulge his
mystical secrets.
When Merlin had revealed his magic, she put a spell on him which left
him sleeping in a cave forever – or at least until King Arthur
and his men awake. This will be at a time when their country will be
in great danger...
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