The Legend of Kêr-Is

In his third series for The Essay, composer Erland Cooper turns his attention once again to the mythical world. This time, he embarks on five imaginary journeys to cities. Accompanying him are writers, academics and storytellers who know all about these legendary locations. Each episode is scored by Erland's own music.

In this episode of Cities of the Imagination, we travel to the rugged coast of Brittany in search of Kêr-Is, a mythical city of extravagant wealth swallowed by the Atlantic.

Local historian Wendy Mewes joins us to recount the dramatic fall of the city. We explore the legend of King Gradlon and his daughter Dahut, whose indulgence and "licentious behaviour" reportedly drew the wrath of God and led to the disappearance of the city beneath the ocean. We uncover how later revisions of the Breton myth transformed Dahut from a symbol of female freedom into a cautionary figure for the Christian church.

Producer: Victoria Ferran
Exec producer: Susan Marling
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 3