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Folklore and Legends of South Wales -The Drowned Well of Gorslas

© Sandra Jones

Gorslas means 'the green marsh', and it was in the hills above Gorslas where the shepherds brought their flocks to graze. But there was no water fit for the animals to drink. The shepherds had to move the flocks away from the hills to find good water. They complained little, as they were mostly contented. They had never given the fairies who lived in the hills any trouble, so they decided to help the shepherds.

The fairies made the shepherds a well with pure and clear water. The placed the well on top of the hills, so the shepherds wouldn't have to leave the grazing area. But their gift of the well was given with one condition. A stone slab placed over the well had to be returned to its position after every use. Or the well would vanish for eternity.

The shepherds agreed to this, given the purest of wells. The flocks and herds of beasts for many years had the best water in all the land, for the shepherds were diligent in replacing the stone slab.

Now as it happened this well appeared during the reign of King Arthur. The king had sent his Knights out in search of the Holy Grail. One of them, Sir Owen, had fought with a pagan knight who guarded a ford near Gorslas. Sir Owen felled his opponent, and as he was severely wounded, sought out food and shelter.

Now Sir Owen gave his horse free rein, knowing the animal would seek out shelter and food. The horse travelled far with his wounded master, and it came upon the stone slab, knowing there was water beneath it.

Sir Owen, wounded as he was, removed the slab and he and the horse drank their fill, and he neglected to replace the slab. He had intended to find a place to rest, but the water revived him, and he decided to go to the crest of the hill and see what lay on the other side, hoping he could see a dwelling he could rest in. But before he had gone very far, his weariness became too great and he laid down to a healing slumber.

Sir Owen was awakened by the neighing of his horse. When he opened his eyes, he thought he must be dreaming, for he and his horse were sitting on a small island in a lake. The lake had somehow appeared while Sir Owen had slept.

When he had wiped the sleep from his eyes, he saw many shepherds running along the lake shore, obviously distressed. Owen swam to the shore and the angry shepherds confronted him, berating him for making their well disappear just as the fairies had foretold.