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| Storys and Legends of Wales, wow, so many !,There must be a story or legend behind almost every rock, mountain, river and stream in Wales. Firstly let me say that many storys and legends usually have some basis of truth, Where legend runs alongside truth I will try and point out, but the choice to believe truth or fiction I will leave to you. I make no excuse for starting this section by first telling of how Wales got its flag, The Red Dragon, Fact or fiction ?, who knows. |
| During the fifth century, the Celtic King Vortigern was being threatened by the Anglo Saxons, and so decided to build a stronghold in Snowdonia. He chose to build the fort on a hilltop near Beddgelert (see next story). The stone masons started building, but the next morning they found that the previous days work had fallen down. The same thing happened the following morning, and all the mornings after, Vortigern was in a rage at not getting his tower up when it was so badly needed, and consulted his magicians and sorcerors, who told the King that he would only have success in building the fort if he sprinkled the foundations with the blood of a boy born without a father. His soldiers searched the whole of the country until they found a boy, known as Myrddyn. He was brought before the King and made ready for sacrifice. Myrddyn was, in fact, Merlin the magician who possesed the gift of vision. He told the King that the foundations of his fort where being undermined by a lake that lay underneath them, and that he would only succeed when it was drained. Vortigern had his labourers dig deep beneath the foundations, and just as Myrddyn had said,found the lake, which he promptly drained. As the water was drained it uncovered two large eggs, which then hatched and out came two Dragons, one white, the other red. The dragons started to fight a long and bloody battle. The battle raged for many days, until the white dragon was finally chased from the mountain. Myrddyn explained to Vortigern that the white Dragon represented the Saxons, and the red Dragon represented the Welsh, and symbolised that the Welsh would one day drive out the invaders and take back their lands. So this is how the red Drago became a symbol of Wales and found its way onto the Welsh flag. For further info watch the flash movie behind the Beddgelert jpg. |
| The Red Dragon and Dinas Emrys |
| Truth or fiction; Excavations have shown that there was once indeed a pool of some form, and there is in fact the remains of a hill fort in use up to the Roman occupation. Both Norman and native Welsh castle builders built their castles over the remains of earlier fortifications, such seems to be the case with this one. Directions; The fort lies in the valley of Nant Gwyant off the A498. But beware, the ramparts are fragile and exploration is only recommended for the sure footed. |
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| For further information on the facts click on the picture |
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| Beddgelert(Gelerts Grave) |
| This story is taken directly from the gravestone; In the 13th century Llywelyn prince of North Wales, who had a palace in the area went hunting without taking Gelert "The Faithful Hound", who was unaccountably absent. On Llywelyn`s return the truant, stained and smeared with blood joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince, alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infants cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood. The frantic father plunged his sword into the hounds side, thinking it had killed his heir. The dogs dying yell was answered by a childs cry. Llywelyn searched and discovered his boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert here. Truth; The truth is that this story was made up by local traders long ago in an attempt to lure Snowdon`s visitors to their village. It seems the place name actually refers to Gelert, a sixth century saint from the area. But who of you out there, can visit the grave without sighing "Poor Gelert", whether they believe the dog lies beneath the stones or not. Click the picture for video |
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| Obviously there are many more storys to tell, and this section will be added to as time progresses. |
| Misc |
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