Afanc (Addanc): Legend Of The River Conwy | Afanc Explained | Celtic Mythology And Folklore

The Evanc, also known as Adanc, was a legendary lake monster from Welsh mythology and folklore. It is described as having the body of a beaver and the head of a crocodile, or looks like a dwarf, frog or demon with sharp claws. This creature is sometimes likened to the Loch Ness Monster. Myths say that the Evanc is a creature born of the earth, and lived in a pool called the Evanc Pool in the River Cynwy. It was a gigantic beast who, when annoyed, was strong enough to break the banks of the pool causing the floods. Many attempts had been made to kill him but it seems that his hide was so tough that no spear, arrow or any man-made weapon could pierce it. It is also said to have magical powers and even the ability to speak Welsh. Hence, people thought the Evanc could only be defeated with magic, specifically the use of the oppositional base elements of fire and air. This creature lives in the lakes of Wales where it preys on anyone foolish enough to fall in, or take a swim in the waters. Its victims are devoured instantly. The Evanc featured prominently in several myths, and these myths greatly vary in how the monster was either trapped or killed. In a bizarre story, the beast caused a huge flood with the thrashings of its tail. The waters killed everyone in the country except for a man called Dwyfan and his wife Dwyffarc, who built an ark to save themselves, the couple then founded the British race. In a more interesting legend, the legend of the River Cynwy, it is said that there was a period in time when the good folk who lived along the Cynwy valley were constantly plagued with terrible floods that both drowned their livestock and ruined their crops. However, the cause of this destruction to people's farms and livelihood was not a natural occurrence, all knew that the floods were caused by the Evanc. One day, the wise men of the valley held a meeting and decided that if force wouldn't work, then the Evanc must somehow be enticed out of his pool and removed to a lake far away beyond the mountains, where he could cause no further trouble. The lake chosen to be the Evanc's new home was the Lake of the Blue Fountain, under the dark imposing shadow of Mount Snowdon. Preparations started straight away, the finest blacksmith in the land forged the strong iron chains that would be required to bind and secure Evanc, and they sent for a man named Hugh Garden and his two-long-horned oxen, the mightiest oxen in Wales, to come aid them in their mission. But there was a problem. How could they coax the Evanc out of its lake? And bind him with chains and then hitch him to the oxen? They got to find out that the Evanc, like several other ugly old monsters, has a weakness for beautiful women and could be tricked into falling asleep in a young maiden's lap. In the entire village, only one maiden, the daughter of a local farmer, was brave enough to volunteer for the quest. The girl approached the Evanc's lake while her father and the rest of the men remained hidden a short distance away. Standing on the shore she called softly to him, the waters began to heave and churn, and through it appeared the huge head of the monster. Although tempted to turn and run the girl bravely stood her ground and, gazing fearlessly into the monster's green black eyes, began to sing a gentle Welsh lullaby. Slowly the massive great body of the Evanc crawled out of the lake towards the girl. So sweet was the song that the Evanc's head slowly sank to the ground in slumber. The girl signaled to her father, and he and the rest of the men emerged from their hiding places and set about binding the Evanc with the forged iron chains. Just when they had finished their task, the Evanc awoke, and with a roar of fury at being tricked, the monster slid back into the lake. In a slightly different version, its enraged thrashings crushed the poor maiden. Fortunately the chains were long and a few of the men had been quick enough to hitch them onto the mighty oxen. The oxen braced their muscles and began to pull. Slowly, the Evanc was dragged out of the water, but it took the strength of Hoogarden's oxen and every available man to pull him onto the bank. They dragged him up the valley, and then headed northwest toward the lake of the Blue Fountain. On the way up a steep mountain field one of the oxen was pulling so hard that it lost an eye, and the tears the oxen shed formed a pool known as the Pool of the Ox's Eye. The mighty oxen struggled on until they reached the lake of the Blue Fountain, close to the summit of Snowdon. There the chains of the Evanc were loosed, and with a roar, the monster leapt straight into the deep blue water that was to become his new home. And thus, encased within the sturdy rock banks of the lake he remains trapped forever. Another intriguing legend narrated how the Evanc was killed by the legendary Sir Percival, the son of Efrog. In the tale, the Evanc of the lake resided in a cave near the palace of the sons of the King of the Torches. The palace was so named because the Evanc slayed the three sons of the king each day, only for them to be resurrected by the maidens of the court. It is not stated why this continued. When Percival asked to ride with the three chieftains, who sought out the Evanc daily, they stated that they would not accept his company because if he was slain they would not be able to bring him back to life. Percival continued to the cave on his own, wishing to kill the creature to increase his fame and honor. On his journey he met a maiden who stated that the Evanc would slay Percival through cunning, as the beast was invisible and killed his victims with poisoned darts. The maiden, was in fact the Queen of Constantinople, and gave Percival an adder stone that would make the creature visible. Percival ventured into the cave and with the aid of the stone, pierced the Evancs before beheading it. When the three chieftains arrived at the cave they marveled, then stated that it was predicted that Percival would kill the Evanc. In yet other versions, which are the most popular versions, the Evanc's death was ascribed to the legendary King Arthur. Indeed, several stories of King Arthur mentioned the ferocious Evanc. King Arthur was said to have fought and dragged the creature from the lake on his horse, Lamerai, where he then managed to kill it. There is even a hoof print in a rock near Lindbarth at which, legend says, was made by his horse when he hauled and killed the beast. Few other legends say that the Evanc still survives and is living in Lake Theron.