Folk Saint Series: Guinefort, the greyhound saint

I’m continuing my series on folk saints today by recognizing Guinefort, the greyhound saint. 🕯️

For more information on the background and history of folk saints, including those I’ve already shared—Roberto Clemente and Princess Diana—please see the highlight on my main page.

Saint Guinefort was a 13th-century greyhound that has long received veneration as a folk saint.

According to legend, Guinefort the greyhound lived with a knight and his infant son in a region near Lyon, France. One morning, the knight left with his men to go hunting, leaving the care of his child to loyal Guinefort.

Upon returning home, the knight found the cradle overturned and his child missing. He saw that Guinefort’s mouth was covered in blood. Sadly and tragically, assuming Guinefort had killed the child, the knight quickly ended his life.

Immediately after, the knight heard crying from behind the cradle, and realized his baby was untouched. Next to the child was a viper, dead and covered in dog bites.

Upon realizing his terrible mistake, the knight set up a shrine of trees for his beloved, heroic greyhound. Locals visiting the shrine at Guinefort’s Wood venerated the martyred dog when in need (especially to pray for sick children) and eventually declared him a saint.

Unsurprisingly, the veneration of St. Guinefort was denounced and condemned by the Vatican, which actively sought to suppress the practice and fined those who participated. Despite these prohibitions, healing rites and miracles associated with St. Guinefort persisted for centuries.

Adding St. Guinefort to an altar is a lovely way to honor a beloved pet (along with, I suspect, offerings of toys and snacks fit for a noble dog). 🐕

To learn more about me and my Appalachian folk practice, including info on folk witchcraft, mountain magic, and hearthcraft, please visit gritchenwitch.com or join my Patreon at patreon.com/gritchenwitch.

Folk Saint Series: Guinefort, the greyhound saint

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