History+and+Myths

Corgi Lore and History In this segment of my project, I will be showing the many different, rather fanciful, mythology of Corgis. The stores variy from each person you would talk to. I will also present what experts have pieced together to be the history and origin of the Corgi!

Mythology and Lore There are many myths about how Corgis were discovered and what they were and did. Strangely, very many of theses myths involve Fairies. The Fairies usually end up riding the Corgis as steeds, sometimes into war. Below are a few stories and poems about the Fairies and Corgis interacting.

**// The Corgi Fairytale //** **// Long, long ago in days of yore, //****// It might've been sooner, if not before, //****// Along a mountain track there came, //****// A gallant Corgi of quite some fame. //****// And there beside the track he spied //****// A maiden fair, who to him cried, //****// Oh kindly Corgi, hear my plea; //****// I've fallen off my horse you see. //****// And so before you further roam //****// Would you, please sir, take me home? //****// So said the Corgi, I do confess; //****// How could I leave you in distress? //****// So climb upon my back fair maid //****// I'll take you home, as you have bade. //****// And so the Corgi started forth; //****// My home's a castle to the north. //****// They journeyed there, and at her door //****// She cried, I should have said before, //****// I'm a fairy princess sir, you see, //****// And for your kindness to me, //****// I'll leave upon your back //****// All traces of the fairy tack. //****// And till this day you still can find //****// The fairy's saddle to remind, //****// How the Corgi helped the princess fair, //****// And just as well for You he will care. //**

**//How Corgis Became Mortal//** **// Queen Mab Clapped her hands."I am bored,"she cried."Let us take our steeds and go for a ride."Instantly before the Fairy Queen appeared a small red-white dog wearing a gold collar and bell.On his back was a tiny saddle made of the finest leather and chased silver.Similar dogs appeared to the other members of the Fairy court.They each mounted their enchanted dogs,and lead by Queen Mab and her huntsman Dark Edric,they rode out of the hollow hills.By light of the moon,they flew through the forests of Wales. //**
 * // Suddenly,one of the fairies gave a cry.His steed had brushed against a trap set by poachers.Made of iron,its touch was deadly to fairy folk,and both the courtier and his little dog was laid low by its power.The other fairies gathered round,yet keeping their distance lest they too be struck down by the cold bite of iron."What shall we do?"said Queen Mab."We cannot leave them here to die." //**


 * // A small,hesitant voice broke the silence that followed her question.A human boy peered from behind a tree,his frightened sister at his side."if you please,your Majesty,I can move the trap away so that it won't be touching them anymore,"he said."And my sister knows herbs.She may be able to ease their pain." //**


 * // "What are you doing out at this time of night,boy."the Queen demanded."do you not know the night holds many dangers for mortals?" //**


 * // "My father is a sheperd,"the boy replied."Our best ewe is lost and without her we shall surely starve." //**


 * // "Heal my friends,"the Queen said,"and I shall repay you many times over." //**


 * // The boy and his sister tugged at the heavy trap until it was far enough away to do no harm.Then the girl gathered white oak bark and blackberry leaves.Wetting them in the stream,she made a soothing compress.With their rapid healing powers,the Fairy and his dog steed were soon well again. //**


 * // "I promised you a reward,boy."Queen Mab said.Twice she rang the golden bell that hung around her dog's neck.Two red-and-white puppies appeared.They were low-set,strong and sturdy with dark eyes that gleamed with intelligence."These are fairy dogs,"Queen Mab said."They are swift and clever and you shall never lose your livestock again."Then she clapped her hands and the entire fairy court disappeared,leaving behind only the two pups. //**


 * // The sheperd's family prospered,and the fairy dogs gave birth to puppies.The Corgis as they became known-from the Welsh words Cor meaning "dwarf"and Gi meaning "dog"-were highly prized through out the land for their herding ability.As a mark of their Fairy Steed origin,they all bore saddle or harness marks behind their shoulders.And on Midsummer's Eve,the fairies returned to ride the Corgis so they would never forget where they came from. //**

History and Origin Little is known about the origin of Corgis or there relatives, but there are many facts that most experts tend to agree on. First, it is almost definite that the Cardigans were the first breed of Corgi, meaning they are a older breed than the Pembroke Corgi. They appeared somewhere around 1200 B.C. The Cardigans most probably originated in the British Isles in Wales, hence the name **Welsh** Cardigan Corgis, or Welsh Pembroke Corgis. Cardigans are named for the town, now county, of Cardiganshire, Wales. The Pembroke Corgi has a slightly more complicated origin. The Pembroke, named for Pembrokeshire, originated in the 9th or 10th century when Flemish, now commonly known as Scandinavians, raiders brought over a a breed of dog called a Swedish Vallhund, these dogs bred with the native dogs or Wales, mostly Cardigans, and the Pembroke Corgis were created. The Cardigans are a herding breed and did many things on the Welsh farms. At first, they were mainly used as vermin hunters. They caught pestilent rats that would bring sicknesses to the crops and other animals. Also, they were used to herd cattle. This can seem strange to most people, but the low to the ground Cardigans nip at the heels of the cows, and their short stature does not make them easy targets for kicking cows. They also herded sheep and possibly a few other farm animals. The Pembroke Corgi also took on these jobs.

The Royal Corgis The Corgis also had their spot of fame when it comes to the throne of England. Her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is a well known Pembroke Corgi fan. She was given her first Corgi, Rozavel Golden Eagle, in 1933 by her father, King George VI as a playmate for her and her sister, Mary. She immediately fell in love with the breed and over her lifetime has had a whole collection of them. She currently has 5 Corgis and 4 Dorgis, which are Corgi/ Dachsund mixes. The Corgis are named Emma, Linnet, Monty, Holly, and Willow. The Dorgis' names are Cider, Berry, Candy, and Vulcan. These dogs have a reputation for being extremely troublesome and misbehaved. She takes some of them on trips abroad, some as far as Asia. She has had dozens over the years and the Queen can't get enough of them.

media type="youtube" key="w02um5L3VAQ" width="425" height="350"

Home