According to legend, Snowdonia is, or is near to, the Welch retreat to which Vortigern retired to build his castle. Each night, the day's work on the castle walls was detroyed, though no one knew the reason. Vortigern's "wise men" told him the only way the walls could remain intact would be to sacrifice the blood of a man with no mother.
The then-youthful Merlin came upon the scene, and rumors of his parentage (or lack therof) nearly led to his death at the hands of Vortigern's men. However, he offered to tell Vortigern the cause of his castle's instability. Merlin claimed there was a pool far below the castle foundations in which two dragons, one red and one white, fought. The two dragons have been interpreted variously as Arthur, Uther, England and Gaul.
The pool was drained, proving Merlin's prediction and saving his life, and the castle walls were constructed. Vortigern, however, was not so lucky. He died later at the hands of Aurelius Ambrosius.
Penmaenmawr: Youth Hostel phone 0492-623476
Birmingham: (though still in England, Birmingham is on the main railway, providing quick and inexpensive train travel. It is also a fairly central city from which to visit Wales.) Youth Hostel Phone: 021-2333044 (open July 8 through September 20)
There are also numerous hostels and B&B's in nearby Conwy and Bangor.
Return
to The Quest