The folk story behind the beautiful Sgwd Gwladys ('Lady Waterfall') of the Brecon Beacons.
Sgwd Gwladys
Sgwd Gwladys, or Lady Waterfalls translated, is possibly the most iconic waterfall in the Brecon Beacons' Waterfall County, South Wales. It's part of a waterfall trail that takes you through a stunning gorge of cascading waters and ancient woodlands. Think Rivendell in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and will give you the vibe of the place. Apart from it's absolute beauty, I think why Sgwd Gwladys is possibly the most popular is because of it's feeling of isolation. It's a slight diversion off the waterfall trail, and upon approaching, it does feel like you have stumbled into an oasis in the heart of an enchanted woodland. I guess it's also that classic view of waterfalls, ticking the box of water tumbling off a high ledge and straight into a plunge pool, completely surround by trees.
The waterfall is part of the Afon (River) Pyrddin, which plummets 20ft over a sandstone ledge, flowing into the Afon Nedd further downstream, where you will find the other waterfalls/cascades of the trail.
Princess of Brycheiniog
Whilst being anglicisied to 'Lady', Gwladys (or Gwladus) is actually a welsh female name. She was one of the daughters of King Brychan, a 5th century King of Brycheiniog. I will pause here to just acknowledge that last year the Brecon Beacons National Park reverted it's official name back to it's welsh name, Bannau Brycheiniog, and you will now see the connection with King Brychan. He changed the name upon inheriting the area (then known as Garthmadrun) when his father died.
Now his daughter's, Gwladys, life has been assimilated into legend it would seem into both Welsh and Irish traditions (King Brychan was actually Irish). As generally accepted historical accounts go, she married Gwynllyw, with her father's blessing, and had many children, including Cadoc "the Wise". So there you go...end of story!! However, the attributed 'myth' based story of her life tells a very different tale.
Forbidden Love
The story goes that the King was not at all happy about his daughter proposing to be wed to Gwynllyw. He was said to be the King of a neighbouring realm, a 'rough pagan warrior' type, and King Brychan did not think he would be a suitable candidate. After many attempts in requesting the marriage of his daughter, King Gwynllyw, along with 300 of his men, abducted Gwladys. Now, as this is welsh legend, you will not be surprised by who's head pops up next in the story. Well, King Arthur of course, and this is what makes this story the likely myth of the two. King Brychan pursued the abductors until they were stopped by King Arthur. Initially, it is said King Arthur was astounded by Gwladys' beauty and wanted her for himself. However, he was eventually persuaded by his own men to fight for the cause of King Gwynllyw. A battle commenced and King Brychan is said to have eventually given in. As with all legends, the stories always differ every time they are told. But some stories suggest she went to live in the woods as a hermit with her husband. Others suggest that they reigned successfully, being the ying to his yang as he was known to have quite the temper that she successfully managed to dampen, and only in her later years did she become a hermit alone.
A Tragic Story
So, what does this have to do with Sgwd Gwladys? Well...there is a story that links Gwladys to these falls, which derives from the many variations to her life I've mentioned above. This one is possibly the most tragic, but it's a creation story for the waterfalls and its river. It was said when King Brychan refused the marriage with Gwynllyw that Gwladys fell into a state of deep depression. (I should just state here that the legend actually says it was Einion that was her beau, but he was actually in fact her son in the stories mentioned above). So deep was her sorrow that her spirit turned into the waterfall, constantly flowing (her tears) into the plunge pool today. Upon hearing this tradegy, Gwnllyw/Einion plunged himself into the plunge pool, and he himself become a waterfall, Sgwd Einion Gam (see the confusion with names here!). Now their spirits flow as one once again.
Gwladys in your home
I hope that was interesting to read. This stuff is right up my street, finding out all these folklores and not being really sure what's history and what's legend. Always great to have a bit of mystery to a place I feel. Anyway, as you might be aware, I do have a print of Sgwd Gwladys available to buy. Remember my prints come framed or unframed, and I can deliver these worldwide (delivery charges will apply for overseas shipping).
If you still want a bit of the magic, but can't quite stretch to a print, and want to do some good, I also do a pack of greeting cards with 6 photos of the various waterfalls in Waterfall country, including Sgwd Gwladys.
£2 of every purchase goes to the Brecon Mountain Rescue who do some amazing work keeping us safe across mid-Wales, and also get involved with other activities such as missing persons. They are completely voluntary, costing on average £400 for every call out. So well worth supporting.
Visit www.breconmt.co.uk to see more of their work. (Picture courtesy of Brecon Mountain Rescue Team).
Finally, Sgwd Gwladys is also the cover image of my first Bannau Brychieniog Calendar, which is currently available to pre-order. 12 of my own images from around the beautiful South Welsh mountains to take you through 2025.
What a great story. Love this kind of stuff. Tricky to follow with all of those names though :). Thanks for sharing.