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.On or about 21 June 1404, after a successful campaign of less than four years, Owain Glyndŵr, our National Hero had brought an end to over 300 years of Anglo - Norman wars of conquest and colonisation and had all but undone the 100 years of English rule foisted upon Wales by Edward I in the years between 1282 - 83.
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Following on an inauspicies beginning of a series of lightening raids against English Boroughs in the North Eastern March during the month of September 1400, the Welsh spent the winter organising in the mountains of Gwynedd and by the new year of 1401, they were ready to launch a major military offensive. This offensive resulted in a victory at the Battle of Hyddgen allowing for them to sweep the enemy before them into the South West. During 1402, the victorious Welsh Armies of National Liberation were attacking the English in Central Wales where, on 22 June 1402, they won another great victory at the 'Battle of Bryn Glas' and by 1403, all of Wales was in open revolt with offensives taking place on a broad front which, again, in July 1403, resulted in another great victory at the 'Battle of Bryn Owen - Stalling Down'. By this period, the Welsh had, to all extent and purposes, isolated and negated English Castle rule in Wales and during the Winter and Spring of 1404, they had launched a North to South border campaign that, finaly, put their English enemy on the defensive and, in the process, Owain Glyndwr had liberated most of Wales.
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On or about 21 June 1404, Owain Glyndŵr and his advisors considered it safe enough to call for a 'free' Welsh Parliament sitting as the first 'Senedd Cenedl Cymru Rydd', at which Owain Glyndŵr "by grace of God" was crowned 'Tywysog Cymru'. This day is, without doubt, the most memorable patriotic and political day in Welsh History and is commemorated in Machynlleth and celebrated throughout Wales and the world by Welsh exiles annually at Midsummer as either, 'Dydd Senedd Glyndŵr' or 'Dydd Coroni Owain Glyndŵr' - depending on where patriots prefer to place emphasis - whether it be on the first Welsh Parliament or, on the crowning ceremony and the reclaiming of a Sovereignty given away by Hywel Dda in recognition of the overlordship of English Kings which, eventually, became asserted with the murder of Llywelyn III, Prince of Gwynedd and 'Pura Walliae' also recognised in the 13th century as 'Tywysog Cymru'.
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Below is photo of a replica of Coron Glyndŵr..
.This replica silver and gold plated crown was presented to the people of Wales by Embassy Glyndŵr at a Civic Ceremony held on 21 June 2007 . It has been housed in the 'Welsh Royal Repository' at the historic medieval Hall House 'Cefn Caer' and will remain there for safe keeping whilst the hall house stands. A covenant signed by Elfyn Rowlands (the owner of Cefn Caer and Custodian of the crown) and by witnesses, instructs the crown's Custodian to bring it to the town of Machynlleth annually on 21 June - Midsummer, so that it can be publically displayed at a Civic Ceremony, to the people of Machynlleth, Wales and the world.
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Coron Glyndŵr below is kept in safe keeping at Cefn Caer - Royal Residence and Repository of the new National Royal Treasures of Wales, where it may be viewed by appointment.
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Cleddyf y Genedl - National Sword of Justice.
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Cleddyf y Genedl was the first of a number of items commissioned by Embassy Glyndŵr to restore the National Royal Treasures of Wales - as the original National Treasures of the Nation had either been plundered as 'spoils of war' (such as was the case with the Crown of the Royal House of Gwynedd and the 'Croes Naid') or, had been otherwise lost over the centuries. All nations seeking Self Determination need their symbols of sovereignty and Cleddyf y Genedl along with 'Coron Glyndŵr and ‘Dagr Glyndŵr’ (housed at the headquarters of Corwen Council) are now established symbols of the sovereignty of Wales.
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Cleddyf y Genedl, the prestigeous sword handgrafted by Master Blacksmith Jason Gardiner of Ystradgynlais and of a similar style as the sword presented to Prince Owain Glyndŵr, by the King of France, on the occasion of Prince Owain's Coronation at Machynlleth in 1404, has finally been permanently homed at Machynlleth Town Council's new Headquarters Y Plas Machynlleth.
This unique sword was sponsored by Castle Welsh Crafts of Caerdydd and presented during a prestigious civic ceremony, to Machynlleth and Bro Ddyfi by Embassy Glyndŵr, as part of celebrations organised by Embassy Glyndŵr in the town on and about 21 June 2004 to celebrate and commemorate the 600th anniversary of, both, the establishment of the Welsh Nation's first National Parliament and the occasion of the crowning of the great Welsh warrior as Prince of Wales in the town.
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Owain Glyndwr's Coat of Arms.
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Baner Glyndwr.
.Ruban Dydd Glyndŵr (Glyndwr Day Ribbon) .
Bought out by Embassy Glyndŵr in the year 2000 and worn annually by Welsh patriots on 16th September 'Dydd Owain Glyndŵr Day. 20,000 Ribbons have been distributed, and enamel ones can be purchased as well. Baneri Glyndwr and cloth 'sew on' style Coat of Arms are also available from the Embassy, see previous posts for further details.
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Glyndŵr's Oaks.
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In September 2003 acorns were gathered from the Oaks atop the mount of Llys Glyndyfrdwy. Carefully nurtered, six seedlings from the aforementioned acorns were taken and planted in secret locations close to Machynlleth. This was done by Embassy Glyndŵr on 21 June 2004 in association with a major national commemoration that had been organised to take place in Machynlleth during that mid-Summer to celebrate and commemmorate the 600th anniversary of 21 June 1404.
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Juratus Oweyn.
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I Gadw'r Gwir Gyda'r Coron
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Dagr Glyndŵr.
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‘Dagr Glyndŵr’ is another of the items commissioned by Embassy Glyndŵr as part of the campaign to replace long lost Welsh Royal treasures -symbols of the sovereignty of Wales. Dagr Glyndŵr was presented to the safe keeping of Corwen Council at a Civic Ceremony and following a children's pageant on the 'history of Owain Glyndŵr and his War of Welsh Independence' on Sept 16 - 'Dydd Owain Glyndŵr Day' 2005 and is housed at the headquarters of Corwen Council) .
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Siân Ifan Llysgenhadaeth Glyndŵr/Embassy Glyndŵr..
llysgenhadaeth@ntlworld.com.NB: Start to organise now for 'Dydd Glyndwr' 16 Medi 2009, let us make special effort for a big all Wales effort this year. Not least because in 2010 will be most important Elections and in 2011 there will be a referendum on more powers for the Welsh Assembly, we are more interested in restoration of 'Sened Glyndwr Cenedl Cymru Rydd' but still it's all to that glorious end patriotic purpose. So lets raise some 'Nationalist' enthusiasm, starting this Autumn. Thus, one and all begin to get together to organise local 'Dydd Glyndwr' festivities for 16 Medi in as many communities as possible, and on Saturday 19 September attend a National local Glyndwr Festival as the successful one at Abercraf in the South. .
There used to be a good Northern Festival held annually in Llanrwst but I am not sure if it is anymore? mores the pity as not even Corwen sees fit to organise a National Glyndwr Festival. Nevertheless, if you have not yet visited Llys Glyndwr near Corwen, or seen the new Glyndwr statue there, or climbed atop Caerdrewyn then why not do so over weekend of 19 - 20 September 2009. I have also heard that SOFRANIAETH are considering a gathering at Corwen on 19th September, see their blog for further information, as and when I have details of any other Glyndwr events and ctivities I will report on such in this blog: Owain Glyndwr Communicates.
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