Leil

{{Short description|Pseudo-historical king of the Britons}}

{{Distinguish|Leir of Britain}}{{Infobox royalty

| name = Leil

| image = Leil (MS Roll 1066).jpg

| caption = Leil from the Genealogical Chronicle of the Kings of England to Edward IV (c. 1461)

| succession = King of Britain

| predecessor = Brutus Greenshield

| successor = Rud Hud Hudibras

| issue = Rud Hud Hudibras

| father = Brutus Greenshield

}}

Leil was a legendary king of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He was the son of King Brutus Greenshield and came to power in 989BC.[http://www.monarchie-noblesse.net/angleterre/bretons/bretons.htm Monarchie Nobelesse website, Bretons]

Leil was a peaceful and just king and took advantage of the prosperity afforded him by his ancestors. He founded Carlisle, Cumbria (Caerleil: Fort of Leil) in the north as a tribute to this prosperity.Marjorie Chibnall (ed), Anglo-Norman Studies: Proceedings of the Battle Conference, Volume: 13, Boydell Press, Woodbridge, 1983, p.109. He reigned for twenty-five years until he grew old and feeble. His inactivity sparked a civil war, during which he died. He was succeeded by his son Rud Hud Hudibras.

Geoffrey asserts that Leil reigned at the time when Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem and Silvus Epitus was king of Alba Longa.