Owain Glyndwr
In the seventh century the Druid Merlin (Myrddyn) predicted that a great son would deliver his people from Saxon oppression and he would help regain the land of the druids. Merlin's words have inspired generations of leaders to rise against invasion and keep hope alive.
One such leader was Owain Glyndwr.
Prince Llewellyn's death and the building of Edward's castles
In 1282 after Prince Llewellyn was ambushed and murdered by his brothers men, and Dafydd (the brother) was executed by Edward 1st, Gwynedd' s royal male line ended. The land was broken into English governed counties and stone castles were built, making the English presence feel stronger. But Edward had not counted on the expert guerrilla warfare tactics of the Welsh and when one of these passionate Welshmen also had the benefits of English military training, a mighty enemy was created.
Credits: The beautiful statue of Owain Glyndwr featured in this editorial was created by Athena Darnell of Pendragon Art based near Corwen in Denbighshire. tel:01690 760164 http://www.pendragonart.co.uk http://www.pendragonsignart.co.uk
Owain's Passion leads to Welsh uprising
Owain ap Gruffydd, (aka Owain Glyndwr) Lord of Glyndyfrdwy was educated and trained in warfare in England. However, he retained his understanding of the terrain in terms of warfare in Wales and he also retained his desire to do his best for Wales in the face of oppressive rule. He became the greatest leader to inspire the Welsh to rise up against racial laws laid down against the Welsh in the 14th Century by the English Crown. The laws stated that the Welsh could not own their own lands and that they could not speak in their own language in public. Understandably these laws made the Welsh very angry and frustrated giving Glyndwr�s cause more strength and meaning. The Welsh simply wanted to be left to live as Welshmen so the people of Wales followed Glyndwr�s lead because of his passion and vigour in uniting and freeing Wales.
Glyndwr is crowned at a secter meeting at Corwen
On the 16th September 1400 at a secret meeting in the Dee Valley near Corwen Owain Glyndwr accepted the title Prince of Wales, being directly descended from the Princes of Powys and a descendant of Prince Llewelyn. Owain Glyndwr is believed by many to have been, the last true Prince of Wales. Led by Owain Glyndwr, Wales' struggle for independence became so strong that it shook the English throne. Owain had been educated and militarily trained by the English. With these skills, together with the Welsh love of Guerilla warfare, he became Wales' greatest military leader of all time.
Harlech Castle HQ
It took five years of bitter fighting before Glyndwr and his armies regained control of their lands. He captured the English military leader, Edmund Mortimer, who was of the English Royal line, and Glyndwr had Edmund marry his daughter and defect to the side of the Welsh. Glyndwr gained the support of the Scottish and the French and in 1406 aligned to the anti-pope in Avignon who was recognised by france and Scotland. Harlech castle became Owains headquarters with a parliament in Macynlleth. He had a royal seal, an able chancellor, a government and two parliaments and he was responsible for the endowment of two Universities in Wales.
Harsh Winter ends Owain's successes
After a number of crushing defeats and the harshest winter ever recorded in 1408 the Welsh fortunes had turned.The English seized harlech in1409 and Edmund Mortimer was killed. Glyndwr was able to escape but his family were captured and taken to the Tower of London. Glyndwr and his men sought refuge in the mountains of Snowdonia. Apart from minor skirmishes after 1413 the references to Glyndwr end. It isn't known exactly what happened to him after that. Co incidentally in that same year Glyndwr's opponent, Henry IV died leaving his son to succeed him.
Owain's Twdr followers create a new dynasty
There were four brothers of the Twdr family who had fought and died beside Owain and had helped to storm Conwy castle. Only one of the brothers survived Maredudd. The new king Henry V seized the opportunity to increase the intelligence of his armies and Mareddudd was recruited into the army to make war on France. (His name was anglicised to Tudor) Marudded Tudor's son Owain became page to Henry V and travelled with him. As a reward for Owain Tudor's gallantry on the field he is promoted to squire to the king. Henry V died of influenza in France. His young son- Henry VI was taken into care by the Regent to protect him and prepare him for his duties and the boy's mother Katherine is left with little by way of duties.
Owain Tudor's grandson becomes the first Tudor King
Katherine fell in love with Owain Tudor. They were secretly married and had five children. One of their children, Edmund, married lady Margaret Beaufort- the great great granddaughter of Edward the 3rd and they had a child, Henry, born on the 28th January 1457. 28 years later, Henry Tudor is victorious at the Battle of Bosworth against King Richard and claimed the throne of England
Owain Glyndwr's influences led to Welsh blood running through the Tudor Dynasty and the emergence of powerful guardians of language & literature of Wales
In time the penal laws of Glyndwr' s era were allowed to fall into oblivion and a new Welsh gentry class arose to rule the country. These men rose to positions of wealth & power and were jealous guardians of the language and literature of Wales. Glyndwr did more to unite the divisions of Wales than even the Llewelyns and his efforts gave Wales new standing on the Continent having made an ally of France. More significantly it could be said that his influences also led to Welsh blood being running through the future Tudor dynasty of the throne of England. Glyndwr was never defeated in the field. He just faded away, with no references to when or how he died. The Bards from that time and since have related that, as the legend has it, he will re-appear someday to help create an independent Wales
