The Golden Dragon – Glyndŵr’s Battle Flag.

Llysgenhadaeth@ntlworld.com

photos: Sian Ifan(C) Visions Glyndŵr.

Baner Glyndŵr flies atop Twt Hill again.

The castle built in Caernarfon by Edward I following the 1282 - 83 conquest of Wales was not only part of the military means of keeping Wales in subjection but was also deliberately built in an ''imperial'' style to imitate the ''walls of Constantinople'' and thus would serve as a permanent memorial to Edward I’s conquest of Wales. 118 years after this conquest, Owain Glyndŵr and followers assembled atop Twt Hill where Owain commanded his standard bearer, Elis ap Rhisiart, to raise 'Baner y Ddraig Aur', the Golden Dragon standard that had previously symbolically been represented in ''heraldic poetry'' in reference to the founder prince of Gwynedd Owain ap Gruffydd Cynan aka Owain Gwynedd.

Baner y Ddraig Aur. (Why not try and make one?)


This Golden Dragon is also traditionally associated with ''Meibion Darogan''. It is obvious that by appearing at and above the walls of Caernarfon Castle with this Golden Dragon banner, Owain Glyndŵr was making a big statement, he wanted to leave the English in absolute no doubt that he was ''challenging English rule of Wales'' In effect, he was throwing down the gauntlet - ''declaring war upon English rule in Cymru''. There have been two occasions in Caernarfon when the Welsh have been called upon to commemorate and celebrate their own conquest with two investitures of English pretenders as Princes of Wales; would it not be far better that they commemorate and celebrate an event that challenged that conquest - as was done on 2 Tachwedd 1401 by Prince Owain Glyndŵr?

Unveiling Plaque on Twt Hill thanks to work of Richard Evans and other local Pobl Glyndŵr. Is there a Glyndŵr site worthy of similar in your area? if so contact Embassy Glyndŵr for advice and assistence.

Thus, to commemorate and celebrate this significant Glyndŵr event in Cymric history, a Gŵyl y Ddraig Aur was held in Caernarfon during the first week of Tachwedd 2004 with an exhibition being held throughout the week at the town library and later in the week, a pageant was held on Twt Hill where a plaque was unveiled (soon after vandalized and destroyed) to record events of 2 Tachwedd 1401.

Pobl Glyndwr assemble on Twt Hill.

Following this, a colourful procession took place from Twthill into the town and a short ceremony was held at Cofeb 1282 where candles were lit in memory of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The march then proceeded to the castle gates and entry was gained into the castle, by kind permission of CADW, to allow the marchers to proceed to Eleanor’s gate from which Baner Glyndŵr and Baner y Ddraig Aur were waved to the crowd below.

Milwyr Glyndŵr at Gates of Caenarfon Castle. Please note that we are still attempting to establish our own 'Teyrnas Glyndŵr' medieval re - enactment society, if interested please contact us at the Embassy. We will be placing a posting on this initiative in the near future along with the proposal that a 'Lluest Teyrnas Glyndŵr' be held in Machynlleth annually in June at Traod y Rhod - Midsummer.

Later that evening, an entertaining ‘Noswaith Gwladgarol’ was held at the Twt Hill Vaults with contributions from a number of patriotic Cymric bards and musicians. Yes, Gŵyl Glyndŵr Caernarfon was a wonderful event; a great shame it has not continued annually. Why not?

For those of us you who are interested in the esoteric, it is interesting to note that Owain Glyndŵr appeared at the walls of Castell Harlech on 31 Hydref 1401 ‘Nos Galan Gaeaf’, the eve of Samhain - an ancient two day Celtic Fire Festival to bring in the Celtic New Year. He then reappeared at Twt Hill on 2 Tachwedd 1401 with his new battle flag – Y Ddraig Aur. HHHhhhmmm!!! Whatever, we at the Llysgenhadaeth will take the opportunity via this posting to wish you a happy Celtic New Year. Cyfarchion Blwyddyn Newydd Celtaidd i chi gyd!

Siân.