Posted on 18/11/2021 by Thom
The tragedy of Gelert, the faithful hound of the Welsh Prince Llewelyn is a legend that has been told for generations.
In the 13th century Llewelyn, the Prince of North Wales, had a palace at the site of modern-day Beddgelert. One day he and his wife Siwan went hunting without Gelert, ‘The Faithful Hound’, who was unaccountably absent, for Llewelyn had left his infant son in the care of his loyal canine, as he set out for a full day’s hunt.
Whilst the master was away, a wolf entered the castle and made its way to the baby’s crib. The two animals fought savagely, with Gelert protecting his master’s young son. The crib was overturned in the struggle before Gelert eventually vanquished the wolf, discarding it’s body from plain sight.
Upon Llewelyn’s return he found Gelert, stained and smeared with blood, but joyfully springing to meet his master. The prince alarmed at Gelert’s appearance hurried to find his son, but saw the infant’s cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood.
The frantic Prince plunged his sword into the hound’s side, thinking that Gelert had attacked and killed his heir. The dog let out a dying yell which was answered by the child’s cry.
Alarmed by what he has done, Llewelyn quickly searched and discovered his baby boy unharmed, and nearby lay the body of the mighty wolf which Gelert had slain.
The Prince was filled with remorse for the act of killing his faithful hound, so much so, that it was said he never smiled again. He buried Gelert and today you can visit the site of Gelert’s grave. The name of the village ‘Beddgelert’ literally translates to ‘Gelert’s Grave’.