Y Ddraig Goch...The Red Dragon of Wales

Still feeling the dragons as Court the Hawk Book Tour and Giveaway continues, so...

Most Myths evolve. They take a story here and a story there. Here a Hero, there another hero...a villain or two...and in time, someone writes their version down. So it is with Y Ddraig Goch, the Red Dragon and symbol of Wales. 

5th century manuscript of Historia Regum Britanniae, Vortigern and the Red Dragon

Recorded in the 9th century's Historia Brittonum, we find the tale of Vortigern the Saxon tyrant, who was determined to build a fortified tower. Men were called to the task and every day they worked from the break of day until the setting of the sun.  Yet, all of their labors were in vain, for each night, something--or someone--completely destroyed the structure. Frustrated beyond measure, Vortigern turned to his wise men for a solution to this vexing problem.

Of Dragon Myths and Jörmungandr--The mighty Dragon of Midgard...

There's just something about dragons that I both love and respect. They are at once both majestic and terrifying creatures (Toothless aside)...And, I've included one that figures quite prominently in Court of the Hawk. This being the case, I thought what better way to kick off our Book Tour, then share the Norse legend concerning Jörmungandr. Have you heard of him?

Lokis Gezücht. Loki's brood; Hel, Fenrir and Jörmungandr circa 1905

At the very dawn of time, according to this fascinating myth, Loki fathered three children during his liaison with Angrboða the giantess. Hel, Fenrir and last but cerainly not least, Jörmungandr, also known as the Mighty Serpent of Midgard. Shortly after his birth, an enraged Odin imprisoned him in the oceans surrounding Midgard where he lay eternally hidden from the mortal world. They say the dragon grew large enough to encircle the earth and grasp his tail with his teeth.