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Llefelys, a MythSource painting
Celtic

Llefelys

01Identity

Llefelys is Lludd’s brother and a king of France in Guest’s Mabinogion. Guest spells his name Llevelys. When the king of France dies leaving only a daughter, Llevelys seeks Lludd’s counsel and aid in seeking her as his wife. The French nobles agree to the marriage, and Llevelys receives the crown with her, ruling France wisely and happily. Later, when three plagues trouble Britain, Lludd crosses the sea to seek his brother’s advice. Llevelys arranges for them to speak through a brass horn so the wind cannot carry their words to the listening Coranians. After wine drives a demon from the horn, he explains the causes of the plagues and gives Lludd a remedy for each: insects to destroy the Coranians, a cauldron and covering to capture the fighting dragons, and cold water to keep Lludd awake against the magician who steals food. Llevelys supplies counsel, while Lludd carries out the remedies and restores peace.

SourceThe Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877): The Mabinogion : from the Welsh of the Llyfr coch o Hergest (The red book of Hergest) in the Library of Jesus College, Oxford , The Story of Lludd and Llefelys, printed pp. 459–465

Top questions
02The myths

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

After Beli dies, Lludd rules Britain and his younger brother Llefelys becomes king in France. When the French king dies leaving a daughter but no other heir, Llefelys asks Lludd to help him seek her in marriage. Lludd brings ships and armed knights, and the French nobles agree to the match. Llefelys receives the crown with his bride and rules France wisely.

Three plagues then afflict Britain: the Coranians can hear speech carried on the wind, a frightening cry returns each May Eve, and food vanishes from royal courts at night. Lludd sails to France for counsel. The brothers meet at sea and use a long brass horn so the wind cannot carry their words. A demon first makes their speech sound hostile, but Llefelys washes the horn with wine and they can speak freely. He gives Lludd insects to destroy the Coranians, with some kept for future use. For the dragons that cause the cry, he prescribes a central pit and covered cauldron. For the magician stealing food, he advises Lludd to keep cold water nearby so he can stay awake. Lludd returns to Britain and carries out each remedy: the insects defeat the Coranians, the dragons are buried apart, and the cold-water watch lets him catch the magician. With the plagues ended, Lludd rules peacefully in Britain while Llefelys remains king in France.

Llefelys and the Three Plagues, a MythSource painting of the scene

8 sources· checked 2026-10-01

  1. 1The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  2. 2The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  3. 3The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  4. 4The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  5. 5The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  6. 6The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  7. 7The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1
  8. 8The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest translation, 1877)T1

Stories elsewhere on MythSource that mention Llefelys, each on that figure’s page.