Wales

Relief and Wales folklore

 Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and is part of the
island of Great Britain and offshore islands
 A location
map of the
principal
relief regions
in Wales,
redrawn.
 Snowdonia in the northwest has the highest Relief
mountains with Snowdon being the highest peak.
To the south of the main range lie the Most of Wales is
Arenig Group, Cadair Idris and the Berwyn mountainous
Mountains.
 Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft)
above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. It is
located in Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd. It is the busiest mountain in the United
Kingdom and the third most visited attraction in Wales. It is designated as a national nature
reserve for its rare flora and fauna.
The rocks that form Snowdon were produced by volcanoes in the Ordovician period, and
the massif has been extensively sculpted by glaciation, forming the pyramidal peak of
Snowdon.
Snowdon
 In Welsh folklore, the summit of Snowdon is said to be the tomb of Rhitta Gawr, a
giant.This is claimed to be the reason for the Welsh name Yr Wyddfa, literally meaning
"the tumulus".
The English call it Snowdon, because it’s capped with
snow for much of the year. But the Welsh call it Yr Wyddfa.
Because, well, read on…
Rhitta Gawr was the strongest and most violent of all the
giants of ancient times. In those days there were many kings
ruling different parts of this island, all fighting for supremacy
against each other, and defending their lands from the raids of
the giants who attacked from their mountain caves.
Rhitta wanted more than to steal the occasional sheep or
cow. He was stronger, braver, and definitely bigger than any
of them – despite their crowns and fancy royal cloaks – and
wanted to rule.
More kings came from foreign lands, determined to beat
this giant-king, but each one was pummelled aside – defeated
and beardless… or dead and beardless.
Rhitta’s beard-coat was now thick and heavy with the
evidence of his violence and power. A hundred beards and
more, woven together and stained red from countless battles.
But there was one missing.
Because there was one king left in Prydain… Arthur
 A messenger was sent to the court of king Arthur – commanding him to shave off his beard and send it to
Rhitta to complete his cloak, without delay. A refusal would mean that Rhitta would be obliged to rip it off
himself.
Arthur was enraged at Rhitta’s arrogance, and immediately set out with his men to Rhitta’s fortress, high
in the mountains of Gwynedd.
King and Giant met at dawn on the highest peak of the highest mountain, a chill winter wind swirling
about them. But the battle was red-hot. Fierce and vicious – swords were shattered, armour buckled, shields
torn. Fists, feet, teeth, bones.
 Both were wounded, eyes darkened with sweat and blood, when Arthur found one last ounce of strength
and determination, raised his mighty sword Caledfwlch, and brought it down hard and deep into Rhitta’s
skull. The reign of fear and violence was over.
Arthur and his men piled rocks onto the fallen giant – cloak and all – and as the snow began to settle on
the bare mountain, silently started on their journey home.
The place was named Gwyddfa Rhitta, “Rhitta’s Tomb”, which over time became Yr Wyddfa. An ancient
name, hiding an ancient and violent secret.