Lost Worlds: The drowning of the city of Ys
By zteve t evans
According to Breton folklore there once was a beautiful and famous city named Ys, which was also known as Ker-is, or Is. A legend tells of the fall of this once great city through the pagan practices of a princess named Dahut and her followers.
The legend of Ys
There are many versions of the legend. Most have Gradlon, or Galon as the king who built the city. The oldest versions say the city was originally located in in an area of the Bay of Douarnenez that was just above the waterline and was built 2,000 years before King Gradlon. But by the time of King Gradlon's reign the land had become so eroded that the sea was inundating the city at high tides. To keep the sea at bay huge walls were built around it with massive gates placed in them to control the flow of the sea.
Other versions have Gradlon building the city below sea level at the request of his daughter, Dahut, who had a love and deep affinity with the sea and worshiped it. What all seem to agree on is that the city was protected by a huge dyke equipped with flood gates that had to be shut at high tide to prevent the sea flooding the city. At low tide it could be opened to allow ships to dock at the harbour. The gate had a lock and Gradlon was the keeper of the only key which he kept on a chain around his neck.
There are many versions of the legend. Most have Gradlon, or Galon as the king who built the city. The oldest versions say the city was originally located in in an area of the Bay of Douarnenez that was just above the waterline and was built 2,000 years before King Gradlon. But by the time of King Gradlon's reign the land had become so eroded that the sea was inundating the city at high tides. To keep the sea at bay huge walls were built around it with massive gates placed in them to control the flow of the sea.
Other versions have Gradlon building the city below sea level at the request of his daughter, Dahut, who had a love and deep affinity with the sea and worshiped it. What all seem to agree on is that the city was protected by a huge dyke equipped with flood gates that had to be shut at high tide to prevent the sea flooding the city. At low tide it could be opened to allow ships to dock at the harbour. The gate had a lock and Gradlon was the keeper of the only key which he kept on a chain around his neck.
The city of Ys
The city of Ys was famed throughout Europe for its beautiful gardens and buildings but over time its reputation fell into disrepute. This came about through the pagan practices of Dahut. Unlike her father who had been converted to Christianity by Saint Winwaloe, Dahut and many of the city dwellers retained their pagan ways and worshiped the old gods. Dahut would swim naked in the sea around the walls of the city and preside at ceremonies dedicated to it which were attended by all of its citizens and people came from far and wide to participate.
It did not take long before the city came to be seen as a safe haven for pagans to practice their rituals and beliefs and they flocked there. The city grew rich and prosperous and many fine buildings and gardens were built and it became renowned as the most beautiful city in the world.
St Winwaloe’s warning
But the world was changing for good or ill and with the increasing spread and growing power of Christianity the city became known as a place of sin and debauchery, at least in Christian eyes. Dahut was rumoured to take lovers to her bed and in a perverse sort of game made them wear a black satin mask. Just after midnight springs fitted inside the mask would grip the victim’s throat strangling them. Later, a dark figure would be seen leaving her chamber carrying a heavy bundle and placing it on a horse, then riding to the cliff tops and throwing it into the sea. It was believed, rightly or wrongly, that the victim had been sacrificed to the sea who Dahut worshiped.
In the eyes of the early Christian church paganism was sinful and needed to be eradicated to make way for Christianity. Despite warnings from St Winwaloe about what he saw as the the evil and corruption of the citizens of Ys, Dahut's behavior grew ever more excessive in his eyes. Gradlon adored his daughter and although St Winwaloe urged him to rein her in he continuously ignored her excesses much to the Church’s great frustration and the conflict with the Church grew.
The Red Knight
One day, to the great excitement of Dahut, a handsome knight dressed all in red rode through the city gates and up to the palace. Dahut was intrigued by the handsome stranger and went to great pains to introduce herself to him offering all the hospitality the city could provide. She soon became besotted with him and he teased her asking what she would do to prove her love for him. The pair ate and drank and made merry and when night came Dahut took him to her bed chamber. Because she was so besotted by the Red Knight she did not make him wear the mask. That night a great storm rolled in from the sea and broke over the city. Great waves battered the sea walls and gates but could not break through due to their strength and width.
"Fear not," said Dahut to the Red Knight, "the walls are high and wide and the gates are strong enough to withstand any storm."
"Let us open the gates to see the power of the storm!" said the Red Knight.
"The gates can only be opened with a key my father King Gradlon has and he keeps it around his neck. Let the storm rage!"
"But you said you would do anything for me!" said the Red Knight, "Your father sleeps you could easily take the key if you wanted, if you truly loved me!"
"That I could and that I will to show my love," she said, and crept into her father's chamber and took the key from his neck without disturbing him and took it in triumph to the Red Knight.
As soon as she gives him the key reveals himself as the devil. In some versions of the story it is the devil who then opens the gates in others it is the drunken Dahut who does the deed. Either way it is disastrous for the city as great waves flow, into the city drowning everything and everybody in its path.
The city of Ys was famed throughout Europe for its beautiful gardens and buildings but over time its reputation fell into disrepute. This came about through the pagan practices of Dahut. Unlike her father who had been converted to Christianity by Saint Winwaloe, Dahut and many of the city dwellers retained their pagan ways and worshiped the old gods. Dahut would swim naked in the sea around the walls of the city and preside at ceremonies dedicated to it which were attended by all of its citizens and people came from far and wide to participate.
It did not take long before the city came to be seen as a safe haven for pagans to practice their rituals and beliefs and they flocked there. The city grew rich and prosperous and many fine buildings and gardens were built and it became renowned as the most beautiful city in the world.
St Winwaloe’s warning
But the world was changing for good or ill and with the increasing spread and growing power of Christianity the city became known as a place of sin and debauchery, at least in Christian eyes. Dahut was rumoured to take lovers to her bed and in a perverse sort of game made them wear a black satin mask. Just after midnight springs fitted inside the mask would grip the victim’s throat strangling them. Later, a dark figure would be seen leaving her chamber carrying a heavy bundle and placing it on a horse, then riding to the cliff tops and throwing it into the sea. It was believed, rightly or wrongly, that the victim had been sacrificed to the sea who Dahut worshiped.
In the eyes of the early Christian church paganism was sinful and needed to be eradicated to make way for Christianity. Despite warnings from St Winwaloe about what he saw as the the evil and corruption of the citizens of Ys, Dahut's behavior grew ever more excessive in his eyes. Gradlon adored his daughter and although St Winwaloe urged him to rein her in he continuously ignored her excesses much to the Church’s great frustration and the conflict with the Church grew.
The Red Knight
One day, to the great excitement of Dahut, a handsome knight dressed all in red rode through the city gates and up to the palace. Dahut was intrigued by the handsome stranger and went to great pains to introduce herself to him offering all the hospitality the city could provide. She soon became besotted with him and he teased her asking what she would do to prove her love for him. The pair ate and drank and made merry and when night came Dahut took him to her bed chamber. Because she was so besotted by the Red Knight she did not make him wear the mask. That night a great storm rolled in from the sea and broke over the city. Great waves battered the sea walls and gates but could not break through due to their strength and width.
"Fear not," said Dahut to the Red Knight, "the walls are high and wide and the gates are strong enough to withstand any storm."
"Let us open the gates to see the power of the storm!" said the Red Knight.
"The gates can only be opened with a key my father King Gradlon has and he keeps it around his neck. Let the storm rage!"
"But you said you would do anything for me!" said the Red Knight, "Your father sleeps you could easily take the key if you wanted, if you truly loved me!"
"That I could and that I will to show my love," she said, and crept into her father's chamber and took the key from his neck without disturbing him and took it in triumph to the Red Knight.
As soon as she gives him the key reveals himself as the devil. In some versions of the story it is the devil who then opens the gates in others it is the drunken Dahut who does the deed. Either way it is disastrous for the city as great waves flow, into the city drowning everything and everybody in its path.
The city floods
Gradlon, awakening from sleep by the crashing of water, looks out of his window and sees that disaster had befallen Ys. Quickly dressing he runs to the stables and saddles his magical horse, Morvarc'h. Finding Dahut he lifts her up behind him and together they ride for the high ground. Morvarc'h was a magical horse that could gallop over the sea, but it was now struggling to make its way through the water. As they struggled to climb to higher ground they were approached by St Winwaloe who commanded Gradlon to cast off the demon at his back, meaning Dahut. But Gradlon loved his daughter dearly despite her faults and refused.
The sea was about to engulf them when God spoke to Gradlon and commanded him to throw off the demon at his back. Hearing the voice of God, Gradlon obeyed and thrust his daughter into the sea. At that Morvarc'h immediately gained speed and raced over the sea to the high ground. Although the sea claimed Dahut she did not drown but was turned into a sea morgen a type of water spirit that lures sailors to their deaths.
Gradlon escapes
Gradlon escaped the flooding of Ys and took up residence in the town of Quimper making it his new capital. A statue of Gradlon on his horse can be seen between the spires of the Cathedral of Saint Corentin. As with many similar legends of flooded cities folklore says that the church bells can be heard ringing at times from under the sea. There is also a legend that says the ancient city of Ys will again rise above the sea again when Paris is destroyed.
Echoes of other legends
There are echoes of other legends and folktales such as Cantre'r Gwaelod from Wales and the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah as well as other lost worlds. During the Middle Ages many romanticized versions of the legend appeared and it is mentioned in Breton folk songs and ballads.
Interpretations of the legend
Some people read the legend as a lesson supporting good Christian behavior and a warning about practicing pagan ways. The message is clear, live a good Christian life and forget the old gods or disaster will be wreaked upon you and your community. Because Gradlon had converted to Christianity he survived and it is seen as a victory of Christianity over the old pagan gods and a warning of what could happen.
In Saint Winwaloe there is the Christian offering warnings and striving to convert the pagans to Christ. He is seen as the righteous, holy figure who can show the people the way to salvation through Jesus. In Gradlon there is the pagan warrior who accepts conversion to Christianity and changes his ways.
With Dahut we find she is portrayed as the pagan feminine archetype worshiping the old gods and living in the old ways. She is seen as a corrupter of men leading them into evil to their eternal undoing. Perhaps worse still, she is even seen allowing herself to be seduced by the devil in the form of the Red Knight and deceiving her father by stealing the key while he sleeps at his bidding. But in some versions Dahut does not die. Despite, or perhaps, because of her sins, she is changed into a sea morgen a sea spirit similar to a mermaid another seducer and corrupter of men.
From a pagan point of view the the story may be seen as an exercise in Christian propaganda aimed at subverting and discouraging the older religions as Christianity spread throughout the world. Some people see Dahut as an independent and spirited woman while others see her behavior as subversive and threatening in a male dominated society. There are many ways of looking at myths and legends that will provide different interpretations but I would encourage the reader to use their own knowledge and experience to decide for themselves what is meaningful to them.
© 17/03/2015 zteve t evans
Gradlon, awakening from sleep by the crashing of water, looks out of his window and sees that disaster had befallen Ys. Quickly dressing he runs to the stables and saddles his magical horse, Morvarc'h. Finding Dahut he lifts her up behind him and together they ride for the high ground. Morvarc'h was a magical horse that could gallop over the sea, but it was now struggling to make its way through the water. As they struggled to climb to higher ground they were approached by St Winwaloe who commanded Gradlon to cast off the demon at his back, meaning Dahut. But Gradlon loved his daughter dearly despite her faults and refused.
The sea was about to engulf them when God spoke to Gradlon and commanded him to throw off the demon at his back. Hearing the voice of God, Gradlon obeyed and thrust his daughter into the sea. At that Morvarc'h immediately gained speed and raced over the sea to the high ground. Although the sea claimed Dahut she did not drown but was turned into a sea morgen a type of water spirit that lures sailors to their deaths.
Gradlon escapes
Gradlon escaped the flooding of Ys and took up residence in the town of Quimper making it his new capital. A statue of Gradlon on his horse can be seen between the spires of the Cathedral of Saint Corentin. As with many similar legends of flooded cities folklore says that the church bells can be heard ringing at times from under the sea. There is also a legend that says the ancient city of Ys will again rise above the sea again when Paris is destroyed.
Echoes of other legends
There are echoes of other legends and folktales such as Cantre'r Gwaelod from Wales and the Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah as well as other lost worlds. During the Middle Ages many romanticized versions of the legend appeared and it is mentioned in Breton folk songs and ballads.
Interpretations of the legend
Some people read the legend as a lesson supporting good Christian behavior and a warning about practicing pagan ways. The message is clear, live a good Christian life and forget the old gods or disaster will be wreaked upon you and your community. Because Gradlon had converted to Christianity he survived and it is seen as a victory of Christianity over the old pagan gods and a warning of what could happen.
In Saint Winwaloe there is the Christian offering warnings and striving to convert the pagans to Christ. He is seen as the righteous, holy figure who can show the people the way to salvation through Jesus. In Gradlon there is the pagan warrior who accepts conversion to Christianity and changes his ways.
With Dahut we find she is portrayed as the pagan feminine archetype worshiping the old gods and living in the old ways. She is seen as a corrupter of men leading them into evil to their eternal undoing. Perhaps worse still, she is even seen allowing herself to be seduced by the devil in the form of the Red Knight and deceiving her father by stealing the key while he sleeps at his bidding. But in some versions Dahut does not die. Despite, or perhaps, because of her sins, she is changed into a sea morgen a sea spirit similar to a mermaid another seducer and corrupter of men.
From a pagan point of view the the story may be seen as an exercise in Christian propaganda aimed at subverting and discouraging the older religions as Christianity spread throughout the world. Some people see Dahut as an independent and spirited woman while others see her behavior as subversive and threatening in a male dominated society. There are many ways of looking at myths and legends that will provide different interpretations but I would encourage the reader to use their own knowledge and experience to decide for themselves what is meaningful to them.
© 17/03/2015 zteve t evans
References and Attributions
Copyright 17th March 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright 17th March 2015 zteve t evans
- Ys - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Legend of the City of Ys - Bagadoo
- The Legend of Ys | Persephone Magazine
- Ker-Ys - Celtnet
