(Scone), which became capital of the country until the overthrow of Macbeth (1040–1057).

After Edward I stole it and took it to England, it was placed under the English throne at Westminster Abbey, where every English monarch since Edward has been crowned on it. A new legend grew up, this time among the English, which says that the end of the English monarchy would be marked if the stone was ever taken from the Abbey. In 1951 four Scottish patriots succeeded in removing it, to the delight of Scottish public opinion, which had long felt that the ancient relic should be returned to the country from which it had been plundered. Some months later, after intensive searching, the Lia Fáil was found wrapped in a Scottish flag in Arbroath Abbey, site of the Scottish Declaration of Independence in 1320. A second attempt was made to remove it to Scotland in 1967.

Liagin

[I] The most powerful runner of the Fianna.

Liath

[I] A son of the Nemedian Laigne Lethan-glas who cultivated the lands of Tara, which were first called Druimm Leith after him. The province of Leinster is also said to have been named for him.

Liath Macha

[I] See Grey of Macha.

Lí Ban

[I] Beauty of women. Wife to Labraid, ruler of Magh Mell. She was sister to Fand, Pearl of Beauty. She invited Cúchulainn to Magh Mell, where, if he helped to slay three evil Fomorii warriors, he would be given Fand as his lover. Cúchulainn sent Laeg, his charioteer, with her, and on his report he followed and became the lover of Fand.

Linné

[I] A friend of Oscar’s who was accidentally slain by him while he was in a battle fever.

Lir

[I] The ocean god, cognate with Llyr in Welsh myth. His greatest son was Manannán, who took over the role as god of the seas. Lir married Aobh and had three sons and a daughter, who were changed into swans by his second wife, Aoife, who was Aobh’s sister but jealous of the children. See Llyr.

Lir, Children of

[I] See Aobh and Aoife.

Llacheu

[W] A son of Arthur. He was murdered by Kei.

Llassar Llaesgyfnewid

[W] A god of death who owns a magic cauldron into which warriors who are slain are cast but who come forth alive. His wife, Cymidei Cymeinfoll, gives birth to a fully armed warrior every six weeks.