Northern Lights Inspired Dog Names

Let's go all the way back to the 1200s. Hunting was still a common pass time for members of 13th-Century France's aristocracy; everyone from the Nobles to the Knights would go hunting regularly. Guinefort's master loved hunting with the dog. For years, the two would ride out and capture all sorts of wild game together. Things briefly slowed down for a time when Guinefort's master fathered a child. Before long, Guinefort and his master were back at it again - leaving the baby behind in the safety of the Knight's castle. Or we should say, the apparent safety of the Knight's castle. 

One day, the Knight decided to go hunting alone. Rather than bring Guinefort with him, the Knight tasked his dog with guarding his infantile son. Guinefort dutifully defended his master's son, watching over the baby like a sentry. Before long, a viper slithered into the baby's room and tried to eat him! Thankfully, Guinefort intervened and struck the snake down. Guinefort ended making quite a scene, accidentally trashing the baby's room during the heat of his battle with the viper. When the Knight returned home and laid eyes on the aftermath, he assumed the worst - that Guinefort had gone feral and killed his son. 

Enraged, the Knight struck Guinefort down. Not long afterward, his son began to cry. The Knight scoured his son's room and found the baby hidden underneath his crib; Guinefort had placed the baby there to protect him from the viper. Heartbroken, the Knight buried Guinefort in Lyons and told all who would listen of the dog's heroism. Since then, Guinefort is believed to watch over all of Lyons' babies and children. 

Philip Pullman partially wrote Northern Lights to inspire readers to think before they act and question what they believe carefully and thoughtfully. Had the Knight done as much, Guinefort probably wouldn't have been killed on accident. But then again, Guinefort may not have been deemed a Patron Saint had he not suffered such great injustice.