King Arthur

Brent Knoll

Mount of Frogs

the Tales of Arthur and Yder

A chronicler of the 13th century tells how King Arthur was holding court at Caerleon one Christmas (or should that be Midwinter?). He knighted a bold young man called Ider, who was the son of King Nuth. Gwyn ap Nudd was the lord of the underworld, and he lived in Glastonbury Tor, and had an encounter with St Collen.

As a new knight, Ider had to pass a test. He was told when at Glastonbury that three giants, 'notorious for their wickedness', lived on Brent Knoll, then known as the Mount of Frogs (Mons Ranarum). King Arthur intended to march against them, and Ider would be required to join him. Young and enthusiastic, Ider galloped ahead and slew all three giants singlehandedly. But unfortunately he was wounded himself, and by the time Arthur arrived Ider lay unconscious and dying. The King returned to Glastonbury blaming himself. He gave the lands around the hill to the abbey and asked the monks to pray for Ider's soul.

Brent also appears in the Arthurian stories: Yder, son of Nudd, is wounded by Kay. Once healed he rescues Queen Guenevere from a bear. She tells him that she would have preferred him to Arthur as a lover. Arthur attempts to kill Yder in a jealous rage. Arthur decorates Yder and sends him to fight giants on the Mount of Frogs (Brent Knoll). Yder conquers the giants but, alas, is killed in the effort. Arthur feels responsible and grants rich territory to the monks of Glastonbury and establishes 24 monks at Glastonbury as penance and in Yder's memory.

i have also heard it said that Yder survived the battle with the giants
as he is pictured on the Modena Archvolt (as Isdernus)
as an ally and follower of Arthur (or possibly Gwenevere as Winlogee)