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Gelert

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Gelert is a legendary dog associated with the village of Beddgelert in Gwynedd, Wales, whose story is a variation of the international faithful hound folklore motif. According to the legend, the 13th-century Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great mistakenly killed his favorite dog after finding it covered in blood. He subsequently discovered his infant child safe beside the body of a slain wolf the dog had defended him from. The tale is heavily commemorated in the local tourism of the village.

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What is the legend of Gelert the dog?

Gelert is the faithful hound of a medieval Welsh legend associated with Prince Llywelyn the Great. According to the story, Llywelyn wrongly killed his dog after finding him covered in blood, only to discover Gelert had actually saved his baby from a wolf.

Where is Gelert supposedly buried?

The legendary resting place of Gelert is in the village of Beddgelert in Snowdonia, Wales. The village's name translates to 'Gelert's Grave,' and tourists can visit a physical memorial stone dedicated to the hound.

Who was the real Prince Llywelyn in the Gelert story?

The tale is tied to Llywelyn the Great, a real Prince of Gwynedd who ruled much of Wales in the 13th century. Though the prince was a historical figure, the wolfhounds' tale is widely considered to be a literary invention adapted from older folklore motifs.

Did a wolf actually attack the baby in the story of Gelert?

In the climax of the legend, Prince Llywelyn discovers his missing baby safe and sound beside the dead body of a massive wolf. This reveals that Gelert's bloody appearance was due to him defending the child, not harming it.

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