The Story of Gelert
In short: Prince Llywelyn misreads what he sees. The detail that reveals his mistake changes between the accounts published in 1862 and 1894.
¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question
Origin and tradition
Beddgelert, Wales · place associated with the legend
In George Borrow’s 1862 book the prince finds a fallen tent. He hears his child cry, lifts the canvas and finds the baby alive. In the Anglesey telling Emerson published in 1894, the prince returns to a house, lifts an overturned cradle and finds the wolf. Gelert protected the child in both accounts. Emerson says an old fisherman told him his version. The legend is associated with Beddgelert, and the sources also give other explanations for the place name.
Dated records and sources
-
1862 · Beddgelert, Wales · place associated with the legend
George Borrow · Wild Wales · Chapter XLVI · Published collection -
1894 · Anglesey, Wales · approximate
P. H. Emerson · Welsh Fairy-Tales · The Story of Gelert · Published collection
Country pages
Fairy Tale Glossary
Origin
Black Horse. The Story of Gelert. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-gelert/