Tecwyn The Last of the Welsh Dragons - 1976 (Preloved)

The story of Tecwyn introduced generations of readers to a gentler, more endearing vision of the creature that sits proudly on our Welsh national flag.

Set against the backdrop of the Welsh countryside, Mary Dawson's tale follows the unexpected discovery of a small dragon who hatches from an ancient egg. Unlike the terrifying, fire-breathing beasts of medieval high fantasy, Tecwyn is a gentle, vulnerable creature who relies on the warmth of coal and human kindness to survive.

This story arrived at a pivotal moment in modern Welsh social history. Beyond its charm as a children’s story, Mary Dawson’s narrative holds a striking metaphor for the industrial heartlands of Wales. At the core of the story sits a crucial plot point: Tecwyn does not breathe fire to survive; he must consume coal. In this framework, the dragon becomes a living, corporeal manifestation of the Welsh mining communities themselves, powered by the very earth beneath their feet.

• Gelert Press, Charter Press, Clwyd, 1976 - rare 2nd edition printed in North Wales
• Written by Mary Dawson, illustrated by Rosemary Thomas
• English language
• Paperback, 72 pages
• Measures 21 x 0.6 x 15 cm

Condition: fair:  age related marks to front cover; a rip and a water mark. First few pages have come loose from binding