Beddgelert
Have you ever heard of the saying 'a dog is a man's best friend?' A dog can also be a woman's best friend. Most dogs are very loyal and will protect their owner with everything they have. A story from a very long time ago might help you understand what this means.
One morning, Prince Llywelyn of Wales went out hunting with his men. He loved hunting and fishing. The Prince had a baby son called Dafydd. He also had a very faithful dog called Gelert. This was no ordinary dog. It was a beautiful Irish wolfhound known for its loyalty, patience and devotion. Llewelyn trusted Gelert to guard over his son.
But another animal was also watching from the fields. He saw the Prince and his men ride out. He licked his lips. He was a patient hunter. He quietly crept through the grass. He waited again. His time would come. He could see that the lodge door had been left slightly open. He nudged it with his nose.
The wolf sniffed the air. The smells from the kitchen nearly distracted him. But the route to the kitchen was risky. There were adults around. He could see an easier way to get food for his cubs. Dafydd was fast asleep. He crept forward.
Dafydd turned in his sleep. The slight movement alerted Gelert. He snarled at the mighty wolf. Both animals gazed at each other. The wolf edged closer to Dafydd. This was the sign for Gelert to pounce. They fought fiercely. The wolf's tail flicked the cradle. There would be only one winner.
Prince Llewelyn and his men returned home. They looked forward to a great feast. But when Llewelyn crossed the yard he could see a trail of blood. He panicked. 'What has happened?', he quizzed his men. Across the doorway, he could see a blood-soaked Gelert.
Llewelyn looked inside Dafydd's room. The cradle had been overturned and his son was missing. 'How could you do this? You have killed my son!' he barked at Gelert. In his anger, the prince plunged his sword into the dog's side.
Moments later Llewelyn heard a faint cry. In the corner of the room, Dafydd peeked out from the blankets. Gelert must have carefully dragged him there to hide in case there was another wolf attack. Beside the cradle lay the body of the dead wolf. Llewelyn screamed in delight. His heir was safe. But then he turned to see his broken, best friend.
Llewelyn was overjoyed that Dafydd was safe. But he was very upset at what he had done. How could he have doubted his loyal friend? So that people would remember Gelert, Llewelyn put up a stone by the river Glaslyn. Gelert's grave can still be seen today. The village of Beddgelert means 'Gelert's Grave'.
When you read legends you cannot believe everything. Why not try to find out how much of the legend is true? For example, can you find different accounts of whether Llewelyn's home in the hills of Snowdonia was a palace, tent or hunting lodge? Is the name of the village Beddgelert really named after Gelert?
Key Questions
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Question 3
Beddgelert
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