The Story of King Lud by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton

Name: The Story of King Lud
Author: E.M. Wilmot-Buxton

King Lud, mighty King of Britain and builder of Caer Lud, is troubled by three dreadful plagues: the Coranians, who hear every word carried by the wind and thus defeat all opposition; a yearly shriek that destroys courage, reason, and fertility; and the disappearance of all provisions stored at his court after the first night. Unable to cure these afflictions, Lud secretly journeys to France to seek the counsel of his beloved brother Llevelys, king of that land. Llevelys discovers the causes of the plagues, but first must drive a demon from a brass horn through which the brothers attempt to speak. He instructs Lud to poison the Coranians by sprinkling them with water containing bruised insects, to trap two battling dragons with a cauldron of mead at the island's central point, and to watch his provisions while resisting enchantment with ice-cold water. Lud returns and destroys the Coranians without harming his own people. At Oxford he prepares the pit and mead; the dragons fight, become pigs, drink the mead, and fall asleep. He wraps them in the satin covering and hides them in the strongest place on Snowdon, ending the terrible shriek. Finally, while guarding a great banquet, Lud resists sleep despite sweet music by plunging into cold water. He catches the mighty magician who steals the food, defeats him in combat, and accepts his promise of service. Lud thereafter rules Britain in peace and happiness.

By E.M. Wilmot-Buxton · First published 1905 · Genre: Welsh mythology, Legend, Arthurian and British legendary literature · 1,603 words

First lines

King Lud was King of Britain, and a very mighty warrior. He built for himself a fine castle, and lived in it most part of the year. It was called Caer Lud, and afterwards Caer London, but after the stranger race came to Britain it was just called London. Lud had a brother, Llevelys, whom he loved very dearly; and he married a princess of France, and became king of that land, and ruled it well and happily. Now, after some years three dismal plagues fell upon the island of Britain, such as no other land had ever known. The first was the plague of the Coranians. These Coranians were a certain people who knew every word that was said upon the island, however low it might be spoken, if only the wind met it. And because of this they could not be injured, for they knew all their enemies' plans beforehand.

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Genres

Welsh mythology — The tale derives from the Mabinogion and centers on legendary British rulers, supernatural plagues, dragons, demons, and a magician.
Legend — It recounts the traditional legendary history of King Lud, the supposed founder associated with Caer Lud and London.
Arthurian and British legendary literature — Although not an Arthurian episode proper, it belongs to the wider body of medieval Welsh and British mythic history featuring ancient kings and the fate of Britain.
Folktale — Its episodic structure, marvelous threats, wise counsel, magical remedies, and victorious ruler reflect traditional folktale patterns.

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The Story of King Lud is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.M. Wilmot-Buxton, dated 1905 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: E.M. Wilmot-Buxton
Date: 1905 CE
Language: English
Genres: Welsh mythology, Legend, Arthurian and British legendary literature, Folktale, Fantasy
Length: 1,603 words
Structure: 1 section, 14 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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