Seldan Cuth

On the border of England and Wales, directly North of Chepstow by 30 miles, lay the Estate of Selcouth, or so local legends say. A grand manor presided over by its lord, whose name has now been lost to antiquity, and his three daughters. But, like Avalon, and Atlantis before it, Selcouth faded into the mists, and its disappearance has been shrouded in mystery and speculation ever since...

Long, long ago, when Britain was still a land of warring tribes, and Wales was called Cymru, Selcouth land was known as Seldan Cuth. The Silures, a powerful and warlike tribe, built their hillforts across Seldan Cuth, and there they worshipped their gods and made sacrifices to them. They felt the strange currents of the land, which sat on several converging lines of power, and discovered many of its mysteries, guarding them fiercely from the Roman invaders. Eventually the Silures were subdued by Rome. Seldan Cuth changed hands many times, but its secrets were honored and protected by the local Welsh countryfolk. In 1066, William the Bastard conquered Harold the Saxon, and England fell into Norman hands. By 1100, Wales too had come under William’s strong control, and his Earls were settled all along the borderlands. The lords of Seldan Cuth were established, and the name transformed to Selcouth on the Norman English tongue. Though, in the eyes of the local people, the Normans were ignorant brutes, there were a small few among them who could recognize old ways and old powers. Such were the lords of Selcouth. The first Earl built his manor house of strange stones that held a green hue not seen in any quarries for hundreds of miles. It took many years to bring the unusual rocks to this remote place, but finally a grand house was built. Legend has it that any who lay their hand upon the stone could feel a strange tingle, as if something living inhabited the very rock itself. Legend also says that the lords of Selcouth were skilled in mystic arts and upon being granted their land, kept to themselves, caring for their peasants, and letting the wilds that surrounded their estate grow into a thick barrier that deterred any who would come to call.

This is all legend of course, and search as you may, from Chepstow to Abergavenny, you shall find no trace of Selcouth or its grand manor house. Just beware the mists.