Gellert the faithful hunting hound of Llywelyn Prince of North Wales

During the 13th century, Beth Gellert was the faithful hunting hound of the Prince Llywelyn of North Wales. The noble Prince had a palace and from here; he liked to pursue his passion for hunting. He would go into the valleys and woodlands with his entourage and a pack of hounds, but none were more to his liking then Gellert – the hound he had developed a special bond with.

Llywelyn, Prince of North Wales had all going well for him. He had married and his wife had born him a fine son. His world was complete and his noble birth gave him a fine advantage in life.

One fine day he came out of his palace to go hunting, but could not find Gellert – his faithful hunting hound. He searched for a while but in the end, the prince elected to squander no more time and went off for the hunt with his followers and other hounds.

Upon his return – later during the day; Llywelyn returned to his palace and saw his hound Gellert waiting for him excitedly in the ground. The noble Prince noticed Gellert’s snout was covered in blood as the mutt jumped about excitedly wagging its tail and anxious for affection from the master.

It was at this moment when Llywelyn’s attention was brought to a fact that his infant son’s crib was empty – void of his baby son and Gellert’s snout covered in blood. Stricken by remorse for his lost son and blind rage for being betrayed by his prized hound; Llywelyn unsheathed his sword and felled Gellert – blind rage gripping him for the loss of his treasured son.

Dead wolf by son of Llywelyn - slain by Beth Gellert

As the stricken hound lay dead before him; Llywelyn heard the wailing of a baby some way off and as everyone ran towards the scene of the crying; they found the baby son of Llywelyn lying in the grass alive and well. Close by was the body of a wolf – a wild predator that Gellert the faithful hunting hound had killed, protecting his master’s son and heir.

Llywelyn was grateful for the life of his son, but was said to be so filled with remorse, that he never again smiled. The hound was buried and a stone memorial is placed by, which is called Beddgelert.