Ylises

Ylises is a fictional continent appearing in the fantasy novel "The Winter King" by Bernard Cornwell. This vast landmass serves as the primary setting for the novel's events, detailing the life and struggles of the protagonist, Derfel Cadarn. Ylises is depicted as a realm with a complex political landscape, divided into various kingdoms and territories, each with its own traditions and allegiances. The geography of Ylises is varied, featuring dense forests, rolling hills, and significant bodies of water, all of which play a role in the narrative and the strategic movements of armies. The culture of Ylises is a blend of native Celtic and invading Saxon influences, a common theme in Cornwell's Arthurian saga, which explores the clash and eventual merging of these disparate peoples. The novel uses Ylises as a backdrop to explore themes of war, loyalty, religion, and the fading of old ways in the face of new beliefs and conquerors. The continent's history, as presented in the book, is marked by conflict and change, reflecting the turbulent period of post-Roman Britain that inspired the story.