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The Legend of Gelert
In the 13th Century Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales lived in what is now Beddgelert. One day he went hunting without his faithful hound Gelert who was unaccountably absent. When Llewelyn returned from his hunting Gelert joyfully sprang to meet his master, he was stained and smeared with blood. Llewelyn, alarmed, hastened to meet his son and saw the infants cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the hounds side thinking it had killed his son and heir, the dogs dying yell was answered by a childs cry. Llewelyn searched and discovered the boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had obviously slain in defence of the child. The Prince filled with remorse is said to have never smiled again. He buried Gelert, the spot is called Beddgelert, ‘the grave of Gelert.’
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