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The river Thames was called, in ancient times, the Tain — according to E.O.Gordon, Prehistoric London, p.10.
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The White Mound, or White Hill, is the ancient name for a great burial mound in prehistoric London. It is traditionally thought to have been where the Tower of London stands now, or possibly St Paul’s. There is a powerful story from the Mabinogion that the severed head of the great Welsh hero-god Bran was buried there. See ‘Branwen Daughter of Llyr’ in Jeffrey Gantz, The Mabinogion. ‘Bran commanded them to cut off his head when he was severely wounded in the battle with Ireland. “Take my head,” he said, “and carry it to the White Hill in London.” There it was to remain as a source of prophecy and protection for the ages to come.’ I have described the burial mo
