the story of Ys

One of Brittany’s most famous legends tells the story of a city called Ys, said to have once stood in the bay of Douarnenez. It was built when King Gradlon and his two wise counsellors, Guénolé and Corentin, ruled over the kingdom of Cornouaille.

King Gradlon’s daughter, Dahut, had become very wild and she asked her father to build her a city where she could live free from restraints. King Gradlon loved his daughter dearly and, ignoring Corentin’s advice, founded Ys. It was beside the ocean, and to protect it from the waves he surrounded it by a high wall. In the wall was a single door made from bronze, and King Gradlon wore the key about his neck.

Many sailors came to live in Ys and every night Dahut took a new lover. One day a stranger arrived, dressed in red. Dahut chose him to pass the night with her and the stranger persuaded her to steal King Gradlon’s key. As soon as he held it in his hand, the city was submerged beneath a mighty wave.

King Gradlon and Guénolé managed to escape, and Gradlon took his daughter up on the back of his magical horse, Morvarc’h (sea-horse).

They reached the shore, but before they could ride free of the waves, the horse stopped and would not go on.

“Throw off your daughter!” cried Guénolé to the King. King Gradlon refused, and the waves began to rise higher and higher.

“Throw off your daughter!” cried Guénolé again. This time King Gradlon cast Dahut off into the water, and he and Guénolé escaped onto the land. They founded the city of Quimper and continued to rule for many years.