Gelert

Gelert is a hamlet in Snowdon Township in Haliburton County named after the town of Beddgelert in Snowdonia in the north of Wales. Beddgelert (grave of Gelert) is best known for its association with the legend of Gelert, the faithful wolfhound of Prince Llywelyn, the last prince of an independent Wales.

The Legend of Gelert: In the 13th century, Llywelyn, prince of North Wales, had a faithful wolfhound named Gelert that went everywhere with him. One day he went hunting without Gelert, leaving him to guard over his infant son. On Llywelyn's return, the dog ran out to greet his master, but Llwelyn saw that Gelert was stained and smeared with blood. The prince was alarmed and ran into his hunting lodge to look for his son. He found the infant's cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the dog's side thinking that Gelert had killed his son. The dog's dying cry was answered by a baby's cry. Llywelyn searched the lodge and found his boy unharmed but nearby lay the body of a large wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince, filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert under a cairn of stones. That spot and the town that grew around it is called Beddgelert. – the grave of Gelert. The bronze sculpture, "Gelert " stands at the watch on a hillside in Glebe Park.

The Making of Gelert: The following videos were made by Highlands Media Arts recording the creation and installation of Gelert. Click to watch the video.