THE FALL OF HARLECH CASTLE - FEB 1409: Its pay back time at the WALES V ENGLAND RUGBY INTERNATIONAL CAERDYDD 14 - 02 - 2009.

Owain Glyndŵr had captured Harlech Castle in 1404 and had made it his Citadel for almost five years until its fall in the winter of 1409. For further info, search the web. During those five years, Owain Glyndŵr was to hold two Parliaments but, following the fall of Aberystwyth Castle in 1408, the English armies focused all their efforts against Harlech Castle. This assault witnessed the use of cannon against which all Castles were to prove weak. The eventual fall of Harlech Castle, in many ways, brought the 'Glyndŵr War' to near conclusion as, from this point in time, the Welsh were not just on the defensive but inreasinly more in retreat, and all to sadly, 'Cenedl Glyndŵr' was to collapse like a house of cards. Nevertheless, the 'armed struggle' continued as a guerrilla war right up to 1416 under Owain Glyndŵr, and up to 1421 under the command of his son. History then records that the 'Gwerin Owain' outlaws continued a struggle up to 1485 until Henry Tudor gathered their ''rebel remnants" into his army bound for Bosworth and the seizing of the English Throne. What we must always remember is, that at this time, Wales had a population of about 500.000 compared to England's population of about 3 Million, so yes, it was a 'David v Goliath' struggle, largely fought by a peasant army against one of Europe's greatest feudal hosts - medieval military machines.

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That took guts - and I know it takes guts for our Wales Rugby players to take to the field against England RU Team this coming St Valentine's Day to play a tough game - and hopefully WIN! - as sadly, the Cymry did not at Harlech in February 1409. You can help inspire our boys towards a great win by turning up at the Millenium Stadium waving'Baneri Glyndŵr' by the 100's (Am I being optimistic?) well at least a dozen or so (Im being real now!) If you haven't got a 'Baner Glyndŵr' you can buy one at Welsh Castle Crafts along with more Glyndŵr souveniers but also note, you can only obtain Glyndŵr patches and caps from myself at Embassy Glyndŵr (see previous posts for details) so, pop along to Welsh Castle Crafts before the game and then drop in at Tafarn Glyndŵr on the Hayes for a visual treat of Glyndŵr Memorabilia. This well named pub has draped the bar in Glyndŵr flags and bunting and has a 'Cleddyf y Genedl' in pride of place over the bar.

Whilst there, also see the marvellous painting (below) depicting the fall of Harlech in 1409 and, don't forget to raise a toast to our great hero.

No, yet again during this important commemmorative period, the Royal Mail did not see fit to provide us with a stamp to mark the 600th anniversary of the fall of Harlech - or to mark the fact that it had been held for five years by the Welsh. Neither have I heard if CADW intend to organise events at the Castle to mark the Seige??? nor, for that matter, if any local patriots are bothered enough to organise a commemoration - or a rally even? if I do hear anything, I will, of course, let you all know. In the meantime, see pics of Tafarn Owain Glyndŵr below, I wonder if Pobl Glyndŵr could be up for a 'Flashmob' of the Hayes this coming Saturday with as many 'Baneri Glyndŵr' flags as possible? Remember, the BBC are based there so, if there was a good turn out it would make a huge impression! Unfortunatly, I cannot make the match but do send in your pics - and especially any of 'Baneri Glyndwr' around Caerdydd on Saturday.

Hwyl am rwan!

Siân.