Happy Owain Glyndwr Day Deeside….

We have all heard of Owain Glyndwr right? – but did you know its Owain Glyndwr day today? September 16th marks the anniversary of Glyndwr being named the Prince of Wales in 1400, which sparked his stand against the English.

Welsh prince Owain Glyndwr led a successful people’s rebellion against England’s iron-fisted rule in the early 15th century and arguably became the most famous and highly regarded figure in Welsh history.

Since his rise to power, and even swifter decline, Glyndwr has been glorified in myths and legends, even playing a role in Shakespeare’s Henry IV. Glyndwr’s exploits in the course of 12 short years are worthy of legendary praise, but unlike other British epic heroes such as King Arthur and Robin Hood, his accomplishments are historical facts.

Edward I invaded Wales in 1277 and within five years had conquered its fiercely independent people. To ensure his dominance over the region, Edward set out on a hugely ambitious plan to build a ring of impregnable castles from Builth in mid-Wales, to Caer-narvon in the north-west, to Flint in the north-east. These ten castles became the physical embodiment of the power of English rule, designed to intimidate and subjugate the people of Wales.

Read More ? Full article here

Plenty more reading here:

• The Owain Glyndŵr Society
• Two letters of Owain Glyndŵr, from Adam of Usk
• BBC Wales History – Profile of Owain Glyndŵr
• “Glyndŵr flag flies at city castle” – BBC News 12 September 2005
• “Glyndŵr’s burial mystery ‘solved'” – BBC News
• Owain at 100 Welsh Heroes
• Medieval Soldier:Soldier of the Month December 2007
• Cefn Caer
• Owen Glyndwr and the Last Struggle for Welsh Independence

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  © Copyright Jeremy Bolwell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.