10-12-2017, 12:21 AM
1
The grave of Gelert
Not sure if this should be in Pets or General?It is a sad tale, about how we shouldn't always jump to conclusions, which could be so tragically wrong.
Deep in Snowdonia National Park, there is a small village called Beddgelert - some of our Welsh members may know this place.
It is said this village was named after a faithful hound, Gelert who belonged to the 13th century, called Llywelyn.
The legend goes like this:
Many years ago, Prince Llywelyn went out hunting.
On this occasion, he left his loyal dog Gelert at home, looking after his infant son, asleep in his cradle.
Some hours later, and no doubt much to the concern of 13th century Social Services, he returned.
Upon going into his child's nursery, he was shocked to see the child's upturned cradle, with no sign of the boy. Seconds later, he saw Glert, his mouth dripping blood.
Enraged at what he saw, the Prince drew his sword and killed the dog on the spot. The legend has it that as the dying dog fell to the floor, Prince Llywelyn heard the plaintiff cries of a child. He turned to see his son, unharmed and safe, next to the bloodied body of a slain wolf, which Gelert had killed to protect the boy.
It is said that Llywelyn never smiled again, and buried his dog close by in the stunning valley, next to a tranquil stream. And there is lies now, in the village named after the dog. Beddgelert, grave of Gelert. His grave is marked with a huge boulder.
This sad story goes back many centuries.
However, some killjoys dispute this old tale and say that the gravestone of Gelert is a lot more recent.
They say that the large boulder that marks the spot is a little more recent, and was put there one dark night in the 19th century by the Landlord of the Goat Inn as a way to boost the tourist trade.
The Goat Inn still stands there today, serving fine beers, but there again, so does the grave of Gelert.
The truth? You decide . . . . .
10-12-2017, 12:40 AM
6
Re: The grave of Gelert
well id not heard about the 19th century story , ,I believed it to be the true grave. , but even if its not , its good that Gelert is remembered , I was told this story as a part of a history lesson by my welsh teacher when i was about 10, and its always stuck in my mind as a sad story , and one of the reasons we visited the spot , it had railings round if i remember right , think i might look for the photo tomorrow .
10-12-2017, 12:48 AM
8
Re: The grave of Gelert
Originally Posted by Judd
->
A bit of a myth Mups according to Wikipedia but what's the harm? It's a good story. Several other stories are based on the myth as is part of the Lady and the Tramp Disney movie.
Who is to say it is a myth, Judd? How do Wiki know?
The only one to really know is long dead.
|
|
