The World of the Dream Stewards: Creature Feature #1- The Demon Mount

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200 Kindle Book Bargains, 47North, Bully Whippet syndrome, Celtic mythology, Fantasy Series, Hywel Dda, magical creatures, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Hellion Horde, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears, Welsh Folklore, Welsh History, Welsh Lore, Wendy the Bully Whippet

Great news just in time for the holidays – as part of the Amazon 200 Kindle Book Bargains promotion, both Dream Stewards books are on sale for $1.99 through December 14, 2014. Click here to get yours:

The Well of Tears (The Dream Stewards Book 1)

The Keys to the Realms (The Dream Stewards)

So, let’s have some fun! I’m resurrecting the weekly Creature Feature Trivia Challenge, in celebration of the season. Read the article below, answer the trivia question correctly (answers can be found somewhere in the blog archives), tell your friends about it, and you could win a $10 Amazon gift card!

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A single monstrous barrel-chested creature with a bulbous head burst through the trees, gnashing a grotesquely protruding jaw of jagged teeth the length of Hywel’s forearm. The creature had staggering height and breadth – at least three times the size of his horse – taller and broader and hairier – and oddly boar-like with its hulking shoulders and thick neck. Its roar rattled his bones.

In the mystical White Woods that surround the ancient home of the Stewards, all manner of magical creatures exist – some more demonic than others. In THE KEYS TO THE REALMS, Hywel encounters the Hellion Horde and the horrific beasts they ride. These beasts have no known name, but they are as fearsome and deadly as the Hellion warriors themselves.

These frightening creatures first appear in THE WELL OF TEARS, and are inspired at least in appearance by a real animal. This animal, however, has an entirely different nature and is actually quite remarkable.

Meet Wendy, the Bully Whippet – a much-loved pet who suffers from a genetic disorder manifested by a mutation which causes double-muscling. Her general health is not affected by this anomaly, only her physique. Although her extraordinary looks invoked the image of a monster in my mind, her real-life story warms my heart. Who wouldn’t want this lovely girl as their canine companion?

TRIVIA CHALLENGE: 

The Dream Stewards series centers on a prophecy that foretells the rise to power of a legendary leader, who was also an actual 10th century ruler. What is the FULL name of the king of the prophecy?

(hint: if you haven’t read the books, the answer can be found in the blog archives, by using the search box at the top of this page. Just type in “Hywel” and browse the articles)

Post your answer in the comments section below to enter. If you also like and/or share this post and mention where in your comment, you’ll get an extra entry. One lucky winner will be chosen at random from all the correct entries received by midnight on Friday, December 5th, 2014. The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card!!

The World of the Dream Stewards: Creature Feature #3 – The Faerie Folk

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47North, Brownies, Celtic mythology, Cornwall, Cymru, epic fantasy, Faerie Folk, historical fiction, Hywel Dda, Knockers, Piskies, Roberta Trahan, Spriggans, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears, Wales

“They all had names, or so she expected, though she hadn’t asked. She thought becoming too friendly might make them more difficult to resist. Not that the faerie folk were baddies, really, but they could be troublesome. No matter what task Eirlys had set for herself, they did their best to keep her from it. It was sure and certain, though, that wherever she went, she never went alone. In the Frisian isles where she was born, the gnomes had been her childhood companions. Here, in her mother’s homeland, she had encountered several new faerie tribes. The pixies, who were mischievous and fun-loving, were her favorites.”

In THE WELL OF TEARS, the whimsical young daughter of the heroine does not inherit her mother’s magical heritage – instead, she shares her father’s affinity to the fey. Eirlys has blood ties to the faerie folk, a gift from her grandmother who was a tangie (a water sprite). As a result, Eirlys can see and hear things that others cannot. Celtic mythology is rife with faerie folklore. The article below is a reblog of a piece I wrote for Fairyroom.com last year. Be sure to read (or scroll) all the way to the end for this week’s trivia challenge!

THE FAERIE FOLK OF CORNWALL

By Roberta Trahan

Perhaps one of the most romanticized of all the Celtic homelands is Cornwall – birthplace of such legends as Arthur, Tristan & Isolde, and Jack the Giant Killer. A natural peninsula located at the southwestern tip of the United Kingdom, Cornwall is an ancient region that predates the Neolithic era. A distinct Celtic nation with its own language and unique history, the proud people of Cornwall still work to maintain their separate identity and culture, while acknowledging their sisterhood with Great Britain.

Cornwall also has a mythology that is all its own. Cornish folklore centers largely on giants and little people, which historians have theorized may have originated as a folk-memory of an ancient Bronze Age race that was conquered by the larger, taller Celts (who might well have been perceived and demonized as giants). But by far the most whimsical characters to evolve throughout the centuries are the small folk (known collectively in Cornwall as faeries):

The Piskies – Often known in Germanic cultures as ‘pixies’, these small sprites lived in secret, isolated places and were considered by and large to be benevolent spirits. Largely thought of as good natured and fun-loving, they were also reputed to have a mischievous side. Though especially kind to the old or infirm, piskies were known to lead able-bodies travelers astray (known as being “piskie led”) for sport. They are described in folklore and old literature as having the appearance of old men, being very small statured (a few inches tall) and dressed in clothes made of the fabrics of the earth such as moss, grasses, and lichen.

The Browneys – Similar to piskies, Browneys were household sprites living closely alongside mortals but rarely seen or heard. They were known to be kindly and helpful, taking every opportunity to benefit their adopted family. Perhaps the closest thing to what is more widely thought of as a traditional fairy, Browneys are often described as gentle, harmless, and always beautiful. They would visit the homes of the poor or sick, tending their gardens or leaving wild flowers.

The Spriggans – The more ill-tempered cousin of the piskie or browney, Spriggans were especially spiteful to those who offended them. Reputed to be the security force of the faerie society, they stood ready to measure out justice to those who would harm their otherworldly brethren. Some of the punishments believed to have been doled out by the Spriggans were storms sent to blight crops, and the leaving of changelings in place of stolen mortal children. They were most often found in old castle ruins and barrows, guarding buried treasure. Spriggans are described in literature as grotesque, with wizened features and crooked skinny bodies. Though small, they were purported to have the defensive ability to expand themselves to gigantic proportions.

The Knockers – These little folk were the unseen underground inhabitants of the tin mines. Many were reputed to have been discovered by miners who heard their singing and the knocking of their magical pickaxes. Usually Knockers were considered helpful, working ahead of the miners and leading them to rich ore veins. But they could be mean when disrespected or treated unfairly. The wise miner would leave a share of his daily meal (usually a piece of his pasty), or else suffer a string of inexplicable misfortunes.

Knockers are described as dwarf-like, with large heads and the faces of old men. Their name comes from the knocking sound on mine walls that occurs just before a cave-in, believed to be a benevolent warning from the fey.

As is true of most Celtic cultures, history and legend were largely passed on through the bardic oral tradition. The earliest and most well-known written documentation of Cornish mythology can be found in several mid to late 19^th century folklore compilations that can still found in print today. The following were resources for this article: Popular Romances of the West of England (1865) by the renowned scientist and folklorist Robert Hunt, Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall (3 vols. 1870, 1873, 1880) by William Bottrell, and Folklore and Legends of Cornwall by Margaret Anne Courtney.

In addition to its mystic places and magical history, Cornwall is a popular travel destination and home to such modern day attractions as the Eden Project (a global conservation and educational effort) and the Daphne Du Maurier arts festival. To learn more about Cornwall, go to http://www.visitcornwall.com/

Dream Stewards Trivia Challenge:  The Dream Stewards saga is set in the mystical land of Cymru – which is a Welsh word meaning — ?.

(Hint: You can Google this one. There are 2 correct answers.)

Post your answer in the comments section below to enter. If you also like and/or share this post and mention where in your comment, you’ll get an extra entry – but the extra entry only counts if you also answer the question correctly :). One lucky winner will be chosen at random from all the correct entries received by midnight on Monday, May 26th. The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card!!

The World of the Dream Stewards: Creature Feature #2 – The Devilkin

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Celtic mythology, Devilkin, epic fantasy, Fantasy, Hywel Dda, magical creatures, Medieval Fantasy, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Well of Tears, Trivia Challenge

On the edge of the veil between mortal ways and magic, evil was hard at work.  Dark, twisted goblin creatures called the devilkin were weaving a spell—a thicket of thistle as tall as a house and so thick she couldn’t see light through it.

In the first book of the series, THE WELL OF TEARS, the high sorceress Alwen confronts and ultimately defeats a cursed wall of thorns spun by a dangerous being known as the devilkin. In the world of the Dream Stewards, the devilkin are the hands and eyes of evil magic – spawned by the incantation of a dark mage to do his or her bidding.

In folklore, the devilkin is a small, lesser demon commonly referred to as the imp and often considered a familiar of witches and wizards. I first came upon the word in Brewer’s Phrase & Fable, but references to “devilkin” also appear in Celtic and Germanic literature as early as the 17th century.

The devilkin in THE WELL OF TEARS are small, gnarled beasties with long tiny claw-like hands and glowing red eyes. They are summoned in the name of black magic to weave a thorny hedge surrounding the sanctuary known as Fane Gramarye. The hedge itself is a living thing with vines that ensnare anyone who ventures too close. The thorns are cursed with a poison venom that causes a sickness with no known cure.

This particular creature was inspired by a childhood fear of mine – the monsters living under my bed and in my closet. In my imagination, the monsters were tiny goblins just waiting to snatch hold of my toes! They don’t make an appearance in the sequel, THE KEYS TO THE REALMS, but they are sure to return to wreak havoc in a future novel.

And now for this week’s Trivia Challenge: In the world of the Dream Stewards, the mystical temple known as Fane Gramarye is protected by an enchanted forest. What is the name of this fictional forest?

(Hint: if you haven’t read the books yet, the answer can easily be found by clicking through to the blog archives and scrolling through The Dream Stewards category)

Post your answer in the comments section below to enter. If you also like and/or share this post and mention where in your comment, you’ll get an extra entry – but the extra entry only counts if you also answer the question correctly :). One lucky winner will be chosen at random from all the correct entries received by midnight on Sunday, May 11th. The prize is a $10 Amazon gift card!!

The World of the Dream Stewards: Creature Feature #1- The Demon Mount

Tags

Bully Whippet syndrome, Celtic mythology, Fantasy Series, Hywel Dda, magical creatures, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Hellion Horde, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears, Welsh Lore, Wendy the Bully Whippet

A single monstrous barrel-chested creature with a bulbous head burst through the trees, gnashing a grotesquely protruding jaw of jagged teeth the length of Hywel’s forearm. The creature had staggering height and breadth – at least three times the size of his horse – taller and broader and hairier – and oddly boar-like with its hulking shoulders and thick neck. Its roar rattled his bones.

In the mystical White Woods that surround the ancient home of the Stewards, all manner of magical creatures exist – some more demonic than others. In THE KEYS TO THE REALMS, Hywel encounters the Hellion Horde and the horrific beasts they ride. These beasts have no known name, but they are as fearsome and deadly as the Hellion warriors themselves.

These frightening creatures first appear in THE WELL OF TEARS, and are inspired at least in appearance by a real animal. This animal, however, has an entirely different nature and is actually quite remarkable.

Meet Wendy, the Bully Whippet – a much-loved pet who suffers from a genetic disorder manifested by a mutation which causes double-muscling. Her general health is not affected by this anomaly, only her physique. Although her extraordinary looks invoked the image of a monster in my mind, her real-life story warms my heart. Who wouldn’t want this lovely girl as their canine companion?

This is the first in a series of trivia articles based on my Dream Stewards series. Check back next week for Creature Feature #2, and a new trivia contest!

Have you answered this week’s question yet? Click here to take the challenge. You could win an Amazon gift card!

THE KEYS TO THE REALMS Launch Celebration Continues ~ Winners & New Giveaways Announced!!

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Celtic mythology, Fantasy, GoodReads Giveaway, Hywel Dda, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears, Wales

Every author looks forward to the newest book launch as if it was the first. So much excitement, anticipation, and fear – the adrenaline rush is ecstatic, and exhausting!! It’s been an amazing week for me.

Roberta Trahan Official Facebook Page

First I want to thank everyone who showed up to my virtual book release party on FaceBook – so many wonderful, talented authors and so many fabulous, dedicated fantasy readers, all in one place for an entire evening. Great conversation and giveaways galore! If you were there and entered the contests, be sure to check my FB page for the list of winners (you can click the image above to go there now if you want).

Also, congratulations to the five lucky winners of my author sponsored book giveaway on GoodReads – Ruth, Jorge, Bob, Nicole, and Evan! Your signed copies of THE KEYS TO THE REALMS will be on the way soon.

Didn’t win but wish you had? Didn’t get a chance to enter? Great news! My publisher, 47North, is hosting a new GoodReads Giveaway starting TODAY!! Twenty (20) copies of THE KEYS TO THE REALMS are up for grabs, so ENTER NOW! The giveaway ends on May 28th. Click the image below to be taken to the giveaway page (and don’t forget to tell your friends!)

 

AND THAT”S NOT ALL!!! To commemorate the birth of my new book, I’m giving away a $10 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky blog visitor. All you have to do to enter is find the answer the following question and post it in the comments section of this post:

The Dream Stewards series centers on a prophecy that foretells the rise to power of a legendary leader, who was also an actual 10th century ruler.  What is the name of the king of the prophecy?

(hint: if you haven’t read the books, the answer can be found in the blog archives)

One winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries posted by midnight on Sunday, May 4th. Good luck!

New Release Date Announced: THE KEYS TO THE REALMS (The Dream Stewards Book Two)

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Celtic mythology, Hywel Dda, Quasi-historical Epic Fantasy, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms

I am excited to announce that the release date for Book Two of The Dream Stewards: The Keys to the Realms has been move up to April 22, 2014 !!

Also new on the Amazon book detail page are some special preview features. Click the cover art and follow the link to see the front and back views of the gorgeous cover art by Mark Winters and read an excerpt from the book. You can also pre-order your copy (in both ebook and print format):

 

…this quasihistorical fantasy should appeal to fans of Celtic Mythology and Arthurian tales.” (Library Journal)

 

The History Behind the Fantasy ~ Hywel dda, the Ara Pacis, and a FB Party!

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A Novel of Cleopatra's Daughter, Ara Pacis, Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, historical fantasy, historical fiction, Hywel Dda, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Keys to the Realms, The Well of Tears

Hywel ap Cadell, the legendary king at the root of the mythology in The Dream Stewards series, was an intelligent, learned leader who modeled his leadership after the successful rulers of reference in his day. A pilgrimage to Rome in the early days of his reign is often credited as the point of inspiration behind Hywel’s greatest legacy – the codification of a written body of law that long survived him.

The reach of the Roman Empire was vast, and has naturally inspired and influenced the writing of many of my fellow history lovers. Author friend Stephanie Dray has invited me to help her celebrate the release of her new historical fantasy. DAUGHTERS OF THE NILE!

Join me and many other historical & fantasy authors for a full day of fun discussions, contests, and prizes!

On January 30th, from 12pm EST to 10pm EST, an impressive roster of historical fiction authors and bloggers are hosting a Facebook party in honor of historical fiction, the 2,023rd anniversary of the Ara Pacis, and the release of Stephanie Dray’s newest book, Daughters of the Nile: A novel of Cleopatra’s Daughter.

Readers can win free books, lunch at the next Historical Novel Society meeting, swag, gift cards, and other prizes from some of the hottest authors of the genre. Please join us, and RSVP!

Exclusive Cover Reveal: THE KEYS TO THE REALMS (via The Qwillery)

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Arthurian Legend, Celtic mythology, Cover Reveal, epic fantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Series, Hywel Dda, Mark Winters, Roberta Trahan, The Dream Stewards, The Qwillery, The Well of Tears

Today our friends at The Qwillery are hosting the EXCLUSIVE Cover Reveal of my upcoming release – THE KEYS TO THE REALMS (Coming May 6, 2014)!!

Click the link to view the full cover design (front and back) by up and coming fantasy artist Mark Winters – and enter the giveaway for a Reader Comfort Kit including a signed copy of the first book in The Dream Stewards series, THE WELL OF TEARS .

EXCLUSIVE!! The Qwillery Cover Reveal: THE KEYS TO THE REALMS

Celebrating with Spirits – Medieval Ales & Wines

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47North, aleberry, Alwen, Arthurian Legend, celtic traditions, Dream Stewards, Fantasy, historical fiction, holiday traditions., Hywel Dda, Lambs Wool, lambswool, Lily of the Nile, medieval beverages, medieval drink, mulled wine, pagan traditions, paganism, recipe, ritual, ritual ales, ritual wines, Roberta Trahan, Song of the Nile, spiced ale, Stephanie Dray, The Well of Tears, Wales, Wassail, Wassailing, Writing

It wasn’t until the book was in print that I realized that my heroine is a bit of a lush. Alwen, the noble and determined sorceress at the center of THE WELL OF TEARS, has a tendency to turn to a particular medicinal concoction in times of great stress. And sorrow. And celebration. And worship. And when entertaining. And, well, pretty much every time anything at all happens in her world.

THE WELL OF TEARS is set in early 10th century Wales, and centers on the rise to power of a medieval king whose legacy has persisted to modern day.  As was true of  the ancient agrarian based religions of the time, food and drink are essential elements in both social tradition and spiritual practice in my novel.

Historically speaking, the ritual consumption of ales and wines at all sorts of occasions is well documented. This is especially true in observing important seasonal events. Mulled wines and spiced ales have been on the holiday menu for centuries. References to celebratory spirits such as pimen and hippocras date to the early days of the Roman Empire, often also attributed with medicinal and aphrodisiacal properties.

Although pagan traditions in Britain began to disappear or become absorbed into Christian practice after the 3^rd century, recipes for ritual beverages continued to appear in descriptions of ancient rites through the Dark Ages and beyond. Spirits have also long been noted as recommended treatment for everyday ailments from the common cold to gout and depression. A nip now and then has been a part of the human experience since the beginning of recorded history.

Early mentions of aleberry (ale + bree [broth]) in my research, a domestic remedy for cold or flu, were so intriguing to me that I made the brew the favorite guilty pleasure of my heroine.

Including this drink in a story taking place in the early 10^th century seemed appropriate, but a true and historically accurate recipe for the drink has never been discovered. Known to have been made by boiling ale with nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar and bread sops, strained and then drunk hot, aleberry is not unlike other beverages referred to in Medieval texts. So, to be as authentic as I could, I decided to ’borrow’ a recipe from a similar beverage that still is used today.

Lamb’s Wool is ale mulled with spices and sugar mixed with the pulp of roasted apples. The fruity pulp creates a lumpy froth that is said to resemble the wool of a lamb. A traditional beverage still today enjoyed on Halloween, Christmas Eve and Twelfth Night, Lamb’s Wool was first a pagan ritual beverage used for ‘apple howling’ or wassailing.

In the ceremonial blessing of the orchard, which occurred during the winter solstice, the drink was poured on the ground and on the trunks of trees to awaken the first stirrings of life in the land and chase away evils spirits. Thus, the next season’s bountiful harvest was ensured. The ritual pouring took place amidst the chant of ‘waes hael’, (OE., ‘be well’ or ‘good health‘)–today recognized as wassail.

Below is a contemporary, Americanized version of a more traditional Old English recipe that is quick and easy to make. If you’d like to try your hand at the more authentic old-world brew, click here:  http://recipewise.co.uk/lambswool

Lamb’s Wool (Wassail)

Ingredients: 

• 3 apples, peeled, cored & finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 (12 ounce) bottles dark beer
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a casserole dish, bake apples and butter for 30 minutes, or until the apples are soft. Then, in a large saucepan, combine the roasted apples, beer, brown sugar and spices. Heat until hot, and serve (unstrained) in large mugs.

—

An earlier version of this article appeared last year on the blog of celebrated historical author Stephanie Dray.  Stephanie’s novels LILY OF THE NILE and SONG OF THE NILE are tales of Cleopatra’s daughter Selene. She has recently completed the third and final installment in the series. You can learn more about Stephanie, Selene and the Roman era at http://www.stephaniedray.com

 

The History Behind the Fantasy in THE WELL OF TEARS: Hywel dda (Hywel the Good)

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47North, Amazon Publishing, Arthur, Arthurian Legend, Cymru, Fantasy, fantasy fiction, historical fiction, History, Hywel Dda, Hywel the Good, mystic origins, Roberta Trahan, The Well of Tears, Wales, Writing

In my debut novel THE WELL OF TEARS (Book One of the Dream Stewards), the story of the ancient sorcerer’s guild known as the Stewardry unfolds around historical milestones that mark the reign of a remarkable (and somewhat savage) ruler in 10th century Wales. Like the legendary Arthur, this later king brought lasting peace and stability to a war -weary land. That may well be where the similarities between the two end, but the more I learned about this less famous man, the more intrigued I became.

The recorded history regarding the era of Hywel the Good is scant, and what survives is conflicting and largely scholarly conjecture – a perfect storm for a fantasy writer. Plenty of historical backdrop, but not so much that the facts would interfere with the re-imagining of the events, the people, their relationships, and their world. THE WELL OF TEARS (Book One of The Dream Stewards) takes place in a magical realm that parallels the human one, and centers on a prophecy that foretells Hywel’s rise to power.

Hywel Dda, as depicted in the Peniarth Manuscripts

Hywel ap Cadell, descended from a long line of warrior kings and ruled in Wales from around 905 AD until his death in 950 AD. To this day, his reign is purported to be the longest period of peace and prosperity in the pre-modern history of Wales. This long and relatively benign rule earned him the epitaph “Hywel the Good”.

Hywel is credited by many historians with stabilizing the political and economic climate of the region by bringing all of the independent kingdoms under his sole control – something that had never been accomplished before, or since . It should be assumed that he accomplished this through no small measure of ruthlessness and brutality. His reign is described as violent, and his tactics include the assassinations of several of the rightful rulers of the lands he desired to possess. Hywel was clearly a skilled warrior as well as a brilliant, and probably vicious, military strategist.

However, he was also adept at political maneuvering and was very good at cultivating alliances that supported his ambitions. It seems that Hywel believed that territorial disputes between clans and power struggles between kings led to the sort of unrest that threatened the unity of all nations and, in turn, made them vulnerable.  His intent appears to have been to create a sovereign nation that was not only economically and socially prosperous, but also secure from the ravages of invasion. And it bears noting that during his years as overlord, the kingdoms under his control were spared the rape and pillage of the Viking conquests – where the neighboring regions were not.

Map of Hywel’s Kingdom (Blue)

When viewed through the lens of time, it seems clear that Hywel was a man in pursuit of a vision. Every significant decision he made appears to have been an intentional move toward consolidating the smaller principalities into one kingdom. An early marriage to the daughter of a rival king that brought the kingdom of Dyfed under his control, alongside the lands he inherited from his father. A series of skirmishes, the  questionable death of his younger brother, and his skillful betrayals of assorted cousins eventually garnered him nearly all of the territory now known as Wales and Cornwall. Add to that his strategic submission to the English monarchs who held power during his life (pure political genius), and you have the portrait of a man who was born to be king.

Perhaps Hywel’s most admirable quality was his life-long dedication to establishing formal rules of governance. In about 928 AD, Hywel made a pilgrimage to Rome, which is where historians believe he found the inspiration for his own legacy – the codification of the first written body of law, which  addressed issues of local governance, property rights and social conduct. A conference held at Ty Gwyn ar Daf, one of Hywel’s residences, circa 945 AD, resulted in the documentation of these laws for posterity. They are still known as “The Laws of Hywel the Good”, and were actively enforced for several centuries after Hywel’s death.

And so we have the makings of a complicated and somewhat romantic hero; certainly a man who would stop at nothing to accomplish his own ends, but also one who did it all in the furtherance of what he believed to be a greater good. At least as Hywel saw it, the end justified the means. The stuff of legend, I say, and a life full of enough intrigue to inspire me to create an entire mythology in his name.

If you’re as intrigued as I am about the history of Wales and Hywel Dda, I invite you to enjoy the fable-ized version I have created in THE WELL OF TEARS and the next books of The Dream Stewards. For you die-hard historians out there,  Wikipedia has a surprisingly accurate and complete overview of his accomplishments. Original sources are scarce and very hard to find, which as far as I am concerned, only adds to the mystique!