There is an interesting tradition cherished by the Syrian Christians that they possessed their own king at Valeyadattu or Villarvattom near Udayamperur in Kerala. Tradition records that the first king was named Baliartes or Beliarte, which may be a corruption of the Malayalam Valeyadattu. The kingdom of Villarvattom comes into prominence twice in the course of Nasrani history. While the first is a part of our folklore the second instance has been documented with some concrete evidence. ...