Owain Glyndwr

OWAIN GLYNDWR

In the year 1400, Owain was declared Prince of Wales he attacks Ruthin Castle, Denbigh, Ruddlan, Flint and Holt are ravished – Oswestry was set on fire, Welshpool attacked and Owain’s estates granted to John Beaufort Earl of Somerset.

In the year 1401 the English have Owain surrounded in Eryri (Snowdonia) Conway is captured by Owain’s cussins the Tudors of Anglesey allowing Owain to escape from Snowdonia to Mid Wales. Owain and his captain Rhys Gethin defeat a large force of anglo-flemish at Huddgen – Owain attacks Welshpool and threatens Caernarfon.

In 1402 a blazing comet is visible in the sky, Grey is captured and imprisoned at Dolbadarn Castle , and an attempt on Owain’s life by Hywell Sele – Rhys Gethin is victorious at Pileth and Edmund Mortimer Earl of March is captured, he later agrees to join Glyndwr and later marries Owain’s daughter Catherine.. Owain now enters Gwent and Glamorgan, Cardiff, Glandaff, Abergavenny and Caernarfon attacked. Henry lV’s army crosses border into Wales the weather is appalling and Henry’s tent falls down and almost kills him – he was saved because he was wearing his armour. Owain invades Herefordshire – Caerphilly, Newport, Caerleon and Usk are won by Owain’s army – The French land at Carmarthen – Henry lV returns to England to prepare for battle to be fought in Scotland.

1403 – Prince Henry at 16 is appointed royal deputy in Wales, Llandovery is attacked and Llandeilo burnt by Glydwr’s army. Henry Prince of Wales at Shrewsbury. He informs the king that Glyndwr, Prince of Wales is about to invade England. Dryslwyn Castle, Newcastle Emlyn and Dinas Powis Castles attacked. Prince Henry marches into Wales and destroys Sycharth and Glyndyfrdwy. Owain Glyndwr at St. Clears- Hotspur raises the standard of revolt in Chester, Negociations with Carew – Owain Glydwr consults a soothsayer about his future prospects. Battle of Shrewsbury (Owain at Carmarthen) – Henry lV arrives back at Worcester – determined attack by Glydwr’s forces on town and castle of Caernarfon.

1404 – Parliament places Henry Prince of Wales in control of operations in Wales - Owain captures Criccieth, Harlech and Aberystwyth Castles – first Welsh parliament held at Machynlleth – Coronation of Owain as Prince of Wales at Machynlleth – John Trefor, bishop of St Asaph gives his support to Glyndwr – Dafydd Gam attempts to assasinate Glyndwr – Gam held prisoner at Dddolbadarn Castle – Conference at Dolgellau – Treaty with France – Battle at Mynydd Cwm Du – Battle of Craig y Dorth – Coity Castle is attacked – Welsh attack on Archenfeld – Harlech and Aberystwyth Castle are captured by Owain – Bangor Catherdral is burnt by Owain – a parliament is held at Dolgellau - Owain occupies Harlech – Force assembled at Hereford under Prince Henry.

Owain’s war with England lasted 16 years. No-one knows what became of Owain, he never accepted a Pardon. He was known as the Welsh Wizard for never being where the English expected him to be. Some say he went to live with one of his daughters in Oswestry or Hereford but LEGEND says he is still in Eryri waiting for the time to rise again...