King Lud

Lud (Welsh: Lludd map Beli Mawr) was, according to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain and related medieval texts, a legendary king of Britain who ruled in pre-Roman times. He is credited with founding the city of London and was said to have been buried at Ludgate. Lud was the eldest son of King Heli, as presented by Geoffrey, and succeeded his father on the throne. After his death, the crown passed to his brother Cassibelanus (Welsh: Caswallawn).

Lud is often linked to the Welsh mythological figure Lludd Llaw Eraint, whose earlier form was Nudd Llaw Eraint. This figure is considered cognate with the Irish Nuada Airgetlám, a king of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and also associated with the Brittonic deity Nodens. Despite these connections, Lud is treated as a separate figure in later Welsh tradition.

During his reign, Lud was known for strengthening cities and rebuilding Trinovantum, the earlier name for London, which he especially favored. Geoffrey of Monmouth suggested that the name "London" derived from "Caer Lud," meaning "Lud's Fortress." When Lud died, he was buried at Ludgate. His sons, Androgeus and Tenvantius, were too young to rule, so the kingship passed to his brother Cassibelanus.

In the Welsh adaptations of Geoffrey’s narrative, commonly known as Brut y Brenhinedd, Lud appears under the name Lludd fab Beli, further establishing his connection to the mythological Lludd Llaw Eraint. An independent Welsh tale titled Cyfranc Lludd a Llefelys (The Tale of Lludd and Llefelys) is included in some versions of the Brut and also survives as part of the Mabinogion collection. In this story, Lludd has another brother named Llefelys, who becomes king of France. While Lludd rules Britain, the land is struck by three terrible plagues, which he is able to resolve through his brother’s guidance.

Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed that Lud's name was the origin of Ludgate, which is called Porth Llydd in the Welsh versions. He also associated Lud with the name of London itself. In reality, the name "Ludgate" derives from the Old English term "hlid-geat," a compound meaning "postern" or "swing gate."

In the sixteenth century, statues of King Lud and his two sons were placed on Ludgate. These statues are now located in the vestry porch of St Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet Street, though they are in poor condition. A pub once stood at Ludgate Circus named "King Lud," which has since become a branch of the restaurant chain Leon. Medallions of King Lud remain visible on the building’s roofline and above its doorways.