The Faithful Hound: Gelert

Laika, the first dog in space.

We love dogs. Throughout history, dog and man have always been side by side. From the ancient Egyptian  god Anubis to Russia's race to space, dogs have shared out history. The Welsh also have their tales of courageous hounds, but like so many stories involving man's best friend, tissues are required.

Now grab some popcorn, tissues and a blanket, it's time for a story.

In the mountains of Gwynedd, North-West Wales, lived Prince Llewelyn The Great and his faithful wolf-hound, Gelert. Together they hunted, no game too big or too strong for Llewelyn's favourite hound. The hound was often described having bravery that knew no bounds.

The Prince also had a son who he cherished dearly as he was the last token from his wife, who had perished during childbirth. He promised to care for their child and never let anything happen to him. He entrusted his safety to Gelert, knowing the hound would never harm his heir.

One day, Prince Llewelyn and his men were out hunting with their many hounds, when the Prince realised that his loyal Gelert was no where to be seen. They continued the hunt and returned late at night. Llewelyn worried for his dog as the forest was plagued with wolves and bears, but was eager to retire with his son after a tiring day.

Although, what met the Prince's gaze left him rooted to the spot. Upon entering the nursery, the furniture had been tossed, tapestries ripped from their curtains and the cradle upturned and empty, smothered in blood. A wet muzzle nudged into the Prince's hand. He looked down and saw his ever so faithful hound, exhausted, slowly wagging his tail, happy to see his master's return. However, his face and paws were soaked in blood.

The Prince, in horror and disbelief, cried out and plunged his sword into hound's side, thinking that his dog had murdered his son. Gelert howled as he slumped to the ground, awakening the baby who lay hidden beneath blankets. Llewelyn searched for his son and found the babe unharmed. Upon finding him, he saw a body of a wolf that had been slain by Gelert beneath the cradle.

Piecing together what had happened, Llewelyn knelt by his dying hound, filled with remorse, stroked Gelert until he died in his master's arms. The Prince buried Gelert outside his castle, with huge celebration, but he could not join as the cries of his hound plagued him, and he vowed never to smile again.

There are many debates on whether the tale is true or fiction. But the gravestone of Gelert, engraved with the name, Beddgelert, can been found today in the village of the same name up in the mountains of North Wales.

“In the whole history of the world there is but one thing that money can not buy... to wit the wag of a dog's tail...”- Josh Billings

External Links

http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/playstory760-the-story-of-gelert.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/posts/The-legend-of-Gelert