Lost worlds: The town beneath Lake Bala
By zteve t evans
Llyn Tegid is the Welsh name for Lake Bala in Gwynned which is the largest lake in Wales. It is nearly four miles long and covers 1,084 acres and is up to 136 feet deep. Although it is 529 feet above sea level it is situated in a rift valley lying northeast to southwest sloping down to meet the sea at Tywyn. The River Dee flows through the lake which is part of the river’s regulation system. Legend says the waters of the Dee never mix with the waters of the lake, though this has not been confirmed. The modern town of Bala is situated on the northern banks of the lake.
Llyn Tegid or Lake Bala, Wales
A unique place
It is unique in being the only place in the UK where gwyniad, a rare Alpine fish distinctive for its white scales is found. These have been trapped in the lake since the last Ice Age and bred there for thousands of years. Now they are under threat from poisonous algae and a fish called ruffe which was introduced in 1980. Unfortunately these eat the eggs and young of the gwyniad which increases the pressure for survival.
Like other Welsh deluge legends such as Tyno Helig and Cantre’r Gwaelod there is the legendary submerged town of old Bala under the waters. This legend differs because Lake Tegid is a freshwater inland lake while the kingdoms of Tyno Helig and Cantre’r Gwaelod were located under what is now sea. Nevertheless, all three were the victims of a catastrophic deluge and they do have some common factors. This work will focus on Lake Bala. and discuss the two different legends which tell how the old Bala town was flooded and the lake was created.
Ffynnon Gower
In this tale Ffynnon Gower or Gower’s Well in English was a well that was situated in the old town of Bala. In the old days the well was considered to be sacred and the abode of a spirit or goddess who insisted that a lid was put in place at nightfall. To please the goddess a guardian was given the task by the townsfolk and it was his responsibility to ensure it was done,.
One night after he had been celebrating a festival and drinking a lot of beer the guardian forgot to put the lid on the well. While everyone was sleeping the water poured out of the well seeping under the doors and into people’s homes. Awakening in fear the townsfolk rushed outside to see what was happening. They quickly traced the source of the water to a the well where water was gushing out like a fountain.
They tried in vain to put the lid on and even weighted it down but the fountain was too powerful and kept forcing the lid off. They called for guardian who had supposed to have placed the lid on before nightfall but he had run off in fear and it is said he was drowned by the rising water.
Realising they could not do anything to stop the flood they ran to the highest hill to wait for the dawn. When dawn came they looked out to where the old town of Bala had once been but all they could see was a huge lake of water. To this day the old town lies submerged beneath the lake.
It is unique in being the only place in the UK where gwyniad, a rare Alpine fish distinctive for its white scales is found. These have been trapped in the lake since the last Ice Age and bred there for thousands of years. Now they are under threat from poisonous algae and a fish called ruffe which was introduced in 1980. Unfortunately these eat the eggs and young of the gwyniad which increases the pressure for survival.
Like other Welsh deluge legends such as Tyno Helig and Cantre’r Gwaelod there is the legendary submerged town of old Bala under the waters. This legend differs because Lake Tegid is a freshwater inland lake while the kingdoms of Tyno Helig and Cantre’r Gwaelod were located under what is now sea. Nevertheless, all three were the victims of a catastrophic deluge and they do have some common factors. This work will focus on Lake Bala. and discuss the two different legends which tell how the old Bala town was flooded and the lake was created.
Ffynnon Gower
In this tale Ffynnon Gower or Gower’s Well in English was a well that was situated in the old town of Bala. In the old days the well was considered to be sacred and the abode of a spirit or goddess who insisted that a lid was put in place at nightfall. To please the goddess a guardian was given the task by the townsfolk and it was his responsibility to ensure it was done,.
One night after he had been celebrating a festival and drinking a lot of beer the guardian forgot to put the lid on the well. While everyone was sleeping the water poured out of the well seeping under the doors and into people’s homes. Awakening in fear the townsfolk rushed outside to see what was happening. They quickly traced the source of the water to a the well where water was gushing out like a fountain.
They tried in vain to put the lid on and even weighted it down but the fountain was too powerful and kept forcing the lid off. They called for guardian who had supposed to have placed the lid on before nightfall but he had run off in fear and it is said he was drowned by the rising water.
Realising they could not do anything to stop the flood they ran to the highest hill to wait for the dawn. When dawn came they looked out to where the old town of Bala had once been but all they could see was a huge lake of water. To this day the old town lies submerged beneath the lake.
Lake Bala, Wales
The legend of Tegid Foel
According to this legend underneath the lake lies the old town of Bala which was ruled by a wicked prince named Tegid Foel. Tegid Foel had a wife called Ceridwen and both appear in a number of other Welsh legends with varying roles in each, but importantly in Ystoria Taliesin (The Tale of Taliesin). He lived in a palace in the town in great opulence but was famed for his cruelty. Even though he received numerous warnings that justice and vengeance would be served on him he steadfastly refused to change his ways.
Vengeance will come!
At the birth of his first grandson, Prince Tegid Foel held a great celebratory banquet. He invited many important guests and family members from all over Wales to celebrate the event. It is said that “Birds of a feather, flock together,” and this was the case here because all of his guests were renowned for their wicked ways and cruelty.
He paid for the finest food and wine and to entertain his guest hired the best harpist and singer in Wales. As the wine began to flow the harper took up his harp and sang songs to entertain the prince’s guests. Every now and then as he was singing the harper thought he heard a small voice behind him which he thought said, “Vengeance will come!”
He thought he must be hearing things but gradually he began to hear the voice again and understand what it said. Startled he looked around and saw a small bird. “Vengeance will come!” said the bird and it seemed to the harper that it wanted him to follow it. So taking a break from the celebrations he followed the bird out of the palace and up to the highest hill overlooking the town.
The bird sang to the Harper who fell into a deep sleep on hearing the song. When he awoke he saw that the town of Bala and the palace of the prince were completely submerged under a great lake of water. All the harper could see was his harp floating on the water. Rescuing it from the cold lake he made his way home with great gratitude in his heart for the small bird that had saved him.
According to the legend, boatmen and those walking near the water’s edge, can still at times hear a small voice saying, “Vengeance will come, vengeance will come!” and another asking, “When will it come?” and the first voice answers, “In the third generation, in the third generation!”
Interpretation of the legends
There are many ways to interpret legends. Some legends are more straight forward than others but partly because of the many differing versions and because any original meaning has been lost in time so it can be difficult. It may be that this is ancient reminder of when Christianity was becoming the main religion of the country.
Wells and springs were often sacred or special places to the Celts and people who came before them. They were often a place of worship where a goddess or spirit resided. The placing of the lid on Ffynnon Gower may be interpreted as placing a lid on the people’s ancient beliefs in fear of retribution from the new Christian deity that replaced the old ways.
Tegid Foel in some legends is cast as a giant while in others a god or spirit. His wife Ceridwen was also an enchantress or a spirit or goddess in other legends. It may be that this legend is an ancient warning to pagans to convert to Christianity or the Christian god may take vengeance. Of course it may mean something completely different or maybe nothing at all and be just a tale to explain the creation of the lake to children on a rainy day.
Please feel free to make your own interpretations or accept or expand on those given.
Copyright 21/01/2015 zteve t evans
According to this legend underneath the lake lies the old town of Bala which was ruled by a wicked prince named Tegid Foel. Tegid Foel had a wife called Ceridwen and both appear in a number of other Welsh legends with varying roles in each, but importantly in Ystoria Taliesin (The Tale of Taliesin). He lived in a palace in the town in great opulence but was famed for his cruelty. Even though he received numerous warnings that justice and vengeance would be served on him he steadfastly refused to change his ways.
Vengeance will come!
At the birth of his first grandson, Prince Tegid Foel held a great celebratory banquet. He invited many important guests and family members from all over Wales to celebrate the event. It is said that “Birds of a feather, flock together,” and this was the case here because all of his guests were renowned for their wicked ways and cruelty.
He paid for the finest food and wine and to entertain his guest hired the best harpist and singer in Wales. As the wine began to flow the harper took up his harp and sang songs to entertain the prince’s guests. Every now and then as he was singing the harper thought he heard a small voice behind him which he thought said, “Vengeance will come!”
He thought he must be hearing things but gradually he began to hear the voice again and understand what it said. Startled he looked around and saw a small bird. “Vengeance will come!” said the bird and it seemed to the harper that it wanted him to follow it. So taking a break from the celebrations he followed the bird out of the palace and up to the highest hill overlooking the town.
The bird sang to the Harper who fell into a deep sleep on hearing the song. When he awoke he saw that the town of Bala and the palace of the prince were completely submerged under a great lake of water. All the harper could see was his harp floating on the water. Rescuing it from the cold lake he made his way home with great gratitude in his heart for the small bird that had saved him.
According to the legend, boatmen and those walking near the water’s edge, can still at times hear a small voice saying, “Vengeance will come, vengeance will come!” and another asking, “When will it come?” and the first voice answers, “In the third generation, in the third generation!”
Interpretation of the legends
There are many ways to interpret legends. Some legends are more straight forward than others but partly because of the many differing versions and because any original meaning has been lost in time so it can be difficult. It may be that this is ancient reminder of when Christianity was becoming the main religion of the country.
Wells and springs were often sacred or special places to the Celts and people who came before them. They were often a place of worship where a goddess or spirit resided. The placing of the lid on Ffynnon Gower may be interpreted as placing a lid on the people’s ancient beliefs in fear of retribution from the new Christian deity that replaced the old ways.
Tegid Foel in some legends is cast as a giant while in others a god or spirit. His wife Ceridwen was also an enchantress or a spirit or goddess in other legends. It may be that this legend is an ancient warning to pagans to convert to Christianity or the Christian god may take vengeance. Of course it may mean something completely different or maybe nothing at all and be just a tale to explain the creation of the lake to children on a rainy day.
Please feel free to make your own interpretations or accept or expand on those given.
Copyright 21/01/2015 zteve t evans
Reference and Attributions
Copyright January 21, 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright January 21, 2015 zteve t evans
- Bala Lake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Ceridwen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Tegid Foel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Legend Land: Being a Collection of Some of the Old Tales ...