With its babbling brooks, flowing rivers, picturesque bridges, wooded hillsides and mountains on the horizon, the small village of Beddgelert is renowned as one of Wales’ most beautiful locations.
But it’s not just the glorious green scenery that has seen this hamlet named among the most beautiful places to visit in the UK.
But while its beauty draws in thousands of visitors every year, so does its legend.
The folk-tale of Prince Llewelyn and his faithful Irish Wolfhound, Gelert, is known nationwide and has drawn millions to this north Walian village for centuries. Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, also known as Llewelyn the Great – one of only two Welsh rulers bestowed with this title – was a medieval prince who ruled over Gwynedd in 1200 and dominated Wales for over 40 years.
Legend tells us that Llewelyn was an avid hunter and owned several hounds, his favourite being Gelert, a dog supposedly gifted to him by English King John.
(Image: Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
(Image: Eryri National Park Authority planning documents)
One day, this Prince and his Princess – King John’s daughter, Joan – went out hunting, leaving their young baby in the care of his prized hound, Gelert. Upon their return, they found the nursery in disarray, their baby missing, and Gelert with blood on his muzzle – so goes the tale.
Seeing the blood-stained cot and floor, Llewelyn assumed the worst. In a fit of rage, he believed his loyal dog had killed his child and fatally stabbed Gelert.
As Gelert let out a final yelp, the baby’s cry was heard. Llewelyn found his heir safe and unharmed, next to a slain wolf that Gelert had bravely fought off.
(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
Overwhelmed with guilt and sorrow, Llywelyn carried his faithful hound outside the castle walls and performed a grand ceremony, burying Gelert by the river for all to see. He remained heartbroken for the rest of his life and is said to have never smiled again.
Gelert’s Grave – or Beddgelert in Welsh – is located south of the village along the River Glaslyn, marking the brave dog’s final resting place. His heroic story is inscribed on his tombstone.
… regrettably, this narrative remains a figment of folk-lore. The renowned grave was constructed in the late 18th century by David Pritchard, landlord of The Goat Hotel, who erected the tombstone and burial place to draw visitors to the picturesque village – and it’s proven to be quite effective.
Beddgelert continues to attract thousands of tourists annually who come to view the supposed resting place and other homages to one of Wales’ most enduring legends – at Beudy Buarth Gwyn, a nearby farmhouse, a bronze statue of the loyal dog stands sentinel at the door, as he might have on that ill-fated day. It’s even rumoured to have captured the attention of royalty; Queen Victoria, intrigued by the heart-rending story, is said to have paid her respects at the tombstone during her stay at the Goat Hotel.
While many cherish the belief that the village took its name from this sorrowful saga, the true origin of its moniker may in fact be more mundane. Some suggest that ‘Beddgelert’ actually honours Celert, an eighth-century Christian missionary and leader who made his home there, with the first known reference to the present name appearing in 1258 as ‘Bekelert’, which might translate as “Celert’s Grave” rather than “Gelert’s Grave”.
Yet, when it comes to legend versus reality, sometimes the allure of the former proves irresistible. For more information on the story, see here.
This post was originally published on here
