Why the Red Dragon Is the Emblem of Wales W. Jenkyn Thomas After
the Treachery of the Long Knives, King Vortigern called together
his twelve wise men and asked them what he should do. They said
to him, "Retire to the remote boundaries of your kingdom, and
there build and fortify a city to defend yourself. The Saxon
people you have received are treacherous, and they are seeking
to subdue you by guile. Even during your life they will, if they
can, seize upon all the countries which are subject to your
power. How much more will they attempt it after your death?" The
king was pleased with this advice, and departing with his wise
men traveled through many parts of his territories in search of
a convenient place for building a citadel. Far and wide they
traveled, but nowhere could they find a suitable place until
they came to the mountains of Eryri, in Gwynedd. On the summit
of one of these, which was then called Dinas Ffaraon, they
discovered a fine place to build a fortress. The wise men said
to the king, "Build