Lud son of Heli

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Lud was a legendary king of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He was the eldest son of King Heli and the brother of Cassibelanus. He is derived from the Welsh hero Lludd Llaw Eraint, cognate of Nuada of Irish mythology.

He became king upon his father's death around 73 BCE. During his reign, he became famous for building and repairing towns throughout the kingdom. Most important of these was Trinovantum (modern-day London) where he built massive towers all around the city. He built up the homes of the peasantry into lavish buildings comparable to the greatest homes in the world. He arranged massive feasts for the people and greatly enjoyed the city of Trinovantum. It is because of this that it was renamed Caerlud, 'City of Lud' in Welsh. That named became corrupted into Caerlundein until the Romans called it Londinium which formed the basis for its current name, London.

He had two sons, Androgeus and Tenvantius, neither of whom succeeded him directly. Lud died and was buried in Trinovantum near a gateway named Ludgate (Porthlud in Welsh). He was succeeded by his brother Cassibelanus, who acted as regent for Androgeus.

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