>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.

A century later, England remained in control under the rule of Richard II. Burdened with onerous taxation and restrictive land policies, the Welsh people chafed under English domination. Welsh myths and legends foretold a national redeemer, and the Welsh prayed for a man who would rise up against England and restore Welsh independence. From out of these rumblings of discontent, Owain Glyndwr emerged. Despite England’s massive military strength at the beginning of the 15th century, the Welsh, under the charismatic leadership of Glyndwr, drove the English from their land and enjoyed a hard-earned–albeit brief–independence. With the resurgence of Welsh nationalism since the 19th century, Glyndwr’s exploits are once again heralded.

Glyndwr (rhymes with ‘endure’) hardly seemed a likely candidate for the role of freedom fighter. Born probably in 1354 into an upper-class family descended from the princes of Powys on his father’s side, and heir to the lands of Rhys ap Gruffydd on his mother’s, he enjoyed the privileges due one of the most powerful lords in Wales. As befitting an upper-class gentleman, Glyndwr studied law at the Inns of Court in London, became a squire to the Earl of Arundel, and served with distinction in the Scottish campaigns of King Richard II. In 1383, he married Margaret, daughter of Sir David Hanmer, an important justice on the King’s bench. He took up residence in his family’s homes in Sycharth and Glyndyfrdwy.

With a generous income and a fine moated mansion, Glyndwr lived the life of a wealthy nobleman. His home at Sycharth become a cultural centre frequently visited by itinerant bards. Events soon brought this comfortable life to an end, however, and not only disrupted Glyndwr’s family circle but altered the course of Welsh history. In 1399, Henry Bolingbroke deposed Richard II. As King Henry IV, he levied even harsher taxes against the Welsh. This happened at the worst possible time for the Welsh, who were already suffering from recurring outbreaks of the Plague. The new taxes added to the hardships and resentment of the common people and made them ripe for rebellion.

The situation ignited when an influential member of King Henry’s Council–Reginald Grey, Lord of Ruthin–seized a disputed tract of land bordering on Glyndwr’s estates. Glyndwr sought legal redress, but Parliament rebuffed him, calling him a ‘bare-footed Welshman.’

At the same time, the King entrusted Grey to deliver a summons for Glyndwr to join Henry in preparing a military campaign into Scotland. Grey either did not deliver the message or withheld it until it was too late to respond. When Glyndwr failed to answer the King, Henry labelled him a traitor.

On 16th September, 1400, Glyndwr met with a small group of supporters at his home in Glyndyfrdwy, between Corwen and Llangollen.

Corwen and Glyndyfrdwy lie within a few miles of each other on the A5. Corwen brims with Glyndwr lore, epitomized by the Owain Glyndwr Hotel and a statue that greeted us in the town centre. A gentleman working at the hotel perked up when we mentioned Owain Glyndwr, and he brought out a stack of books and maps and showed us the way to Glyndyfrdwy. About a mile and a half from Glyndyfrdwy, a mound marks the site of Glyndwr’s home.

The group that journeyed here in 1400 included Glyndwr’s eldest son Gruffydd and his brother-in-law Philip Hanmer. They declared Owain Prince of Wales. Four days later, Glyndwr and his supporters attacked and burned the town of Ruthin, crowded for a fair. Then they pillaged Denbeigh, Ruddlan, Flint, Hawarden, and Oswestry before retreating in the face of Royal forces. The English declared Glyndwr an outlaw and gave his manor and lands to John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset, though the Earl wasn’t able to take possession since Glyndwr still controlled North Wales.

The news of the uprising travelled fast. Welsh students at Oxford and Cambridge reportedly dropped their books and headed home to join the fight. Anti-English sentiment grew so strong that Welsh labourers in Shropshire and Herefordshire left their jobs to support the cause. Parliament didn’t take these events lightly, immediately passing even harsher anti-Welsh laws. Henry then marched a large army across North Wales, burning and looting without mercy. Confronted with strong English opposition, Glyndwr and seven supporters headed for the safety of the mountains and bided their time.

Glyndwr won his first great victory against the English in the summer of 1401. Camped with fewer than 500 men at the bottom of the Hyddgen valley, he found himself surrounded by 1500 enemy troops. With no option other than to fight, he amazingly defeated the English, though about 200 of his followers died as well.

This success inspired legions of new supporters, many from the higher ranks of Welsh society. Glyndwr received further support from England’s enemies: Scotland, Ireland, and France. In the meantime, the English continued their offensive, fanning the flames of Welsh ire by attacking and defiling the Cistercian monastery of Strata Florida.

A great comet appeared in 1402, and the Welsh believed it was a sign that the ancient legends would come to pass, portending a sweeping victory for Welsh independence. And in fact the tide of battle swung dramatically in Glyndwr’s favour. First, the Welsh captured Grey in the north and held him for ransom, eventually bringing in 10,000 marks for the rebels’ coffers. Then on 22nd June, Glyndwr won his greatest victory. Sir Edmund Mortimer led an army of 2,000 Englishmen from Ludlow along the marshy floor of the Lugg Valley. He encountered the Welsh forces assembled on a hillside above the Church of St. Mary at Bryn Glas near Pilleth. The English cavalrymen carried Welsh longbows, and the foot soldiers wielded spears, axes, metal clubs, swords, and sharpened stakes. The Welsh, though not as well-equipped, had a similar array of weapons.

Rhys Gethin (the Fierce) from Cwm Llannerch in Conwy led the Welsh forces. Glyndwr himself may have been present at the battle. Mortimer, underestimating his enemy, drove his forces uphill toward Rhys. The highly mobile Welsh army charged downhill, engaging the English in hand-to-hand combat. At the end of the day, Rhys’ troops had killed nearly 1,100 of the English and captured Mortimer and several of his knights and squires.

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