No name is so frequently invoked on Wales as that of Owain Glyndwr (c.
1349-1416), a potent figurehead of Welsh nationalism ever since he rose
up against the occupying English in the first few years of the fifteenth
century. Little is known about the man described in Shakespeare's
Henry IV, Part I as "not in the roll of common men." There seems little
doubt that the charismatic Owain fulfilled many of the mystical
medieval prophecies about the rising up of the red dragon. He was of
aristocratic stock and had a conventional upbringing, part of it in
England of all places. His blue blood furthered his claim as Prince of
Wales, being directly descended from the princes of Powys and
Cyfeiliog, and as a result of his status, he learned English, studied in
London and became a loyal, and distinguished, soldier of the English
king, before returning to Wales and marrying. But he was more than a
Marcher. He was one of the living representatives of the old royal houses
of Wales, an heir to Cadwaladr, in a Wales strewn with the rubble of
such dynasties. Wales in the late 14th century was a turbulent place. The
brutal savaging of Llywelyn the Last and Edward I's stringent policies of
subordinating Wales had left a discontented, cowed nation where any
signs of rebellion were sure to attract support.
1349-1416), a potent figurehead of Welsh nationalism ever since he rose
up against the occupying English in the first few years of the fifteenth
century. Little is known about the man described in Shakespeare's
Henry IV, Part I as "not in the roll of common men." There seems little
doubt that the charismatic Owain fulfilled many of the mystical
medieval prophecies about the rising up of the red dragon. He was of
aristocratic stock and had a conventional upbringing, part of it in
England of all places. His blue blood furthered his claim as Prince of
Wales, being directly descended from the princes of Powys and
Cyfeiliog, and as a result of his status, he learned English, studied in
London and became a loyal, and distinguished, soldier of the English
king, before returning to Wales and marrying. But he was more than a
Marcher. He was one of the living representatives of the old royal houses
of Wales, an heir to Cadwaladr, in a Wales strewn with the rubble of
such dynasties. Wales in the late 14th century was a turbulent place. The
brutal savaging of Llywelyn the Last and Edward I's stringent policies of
subordinating Wales had left a discontented, cowed nation where any
signs of rebellion were sure to attract support.
| Who was Owain Glyn Dwr? Owain Glyn Dwr was a member of the uchelwyr, that strata of Welsh society which had done fairly well for itself after the conquest. Owain personally held lands in northeastern Wales, and was by the day's standards, one of the wealthier native Welshmen. His family seat was at Sycarth (Chirkland), where he was able to construct a very nice moated house, as well as having an estate in Merioneth where he drew some of his income from (which was about 120 pounds per year--in comparison, the large Mortimer estates were bringing in around 5-6000 pounds per year, so he wasn't rich by English standards, but wasn't exactly going poor either). Owain came from a ffine pedigree, something which the poets of the day made much of. He could trace an ancestry which connected to the royal lines of Deheubarth and Powys. As such, he was a patron of the poets, rewarded for such patronage by a number of praise poems, especially from Iolo Goch. |
Owain was an accomplished soldier, having been involved in the campaigns against Scotland and France,
and was known to be an avid hunter. His wife was a Hanmer, the daughter of a chief justice of the King's
Bench. Based upon his pre-1400 activities and associations, it is an intriguing question as to why a person
who was living a good life by the day's standards and had been essentially a country squire, should lead
such a revolt. The answer probably lies in the social tensions of the 14th C
and that the poets and members of the native Welsh society saw Owain as the focus of native loyalty,
especially after the death of Owain Lawgoch, who could claim direct descent from the royal line of
Gwynedd, in 1378 at the hands of an English assassin.
and was known to be an avid hunter. His wife was a Hanmer, the daughter of a chief justice of the King's
Bench. Based upon his pre-1400 activities and associations, it is an intriguing question as to why a person
who was living a good life by the day's standards and had been essentially a country squire, should lead
such a revolt. The answer probably lies in the social tensions of the 14th C
and that the poets and members of the native Welsh society saw Owain as the focus of native loyalty,
especially after the death of Owain Lawgoch, who could claim direct descent from the royal line of
Gwynedd, in 1378 at the hands of an English assassin.
The tensions exploded into a general revolt on 16 September 1400, when this country squire with the royal
pedigree was proclaimed Prince of Wales by some of his followers at Glyndyfrdwy. Initially, Owain and
his supporters (most notably his cousins Rhys and Gwilym ap Tudur) were making trouble in Anglesey
and Caernarvonshire. The English king at the time was Henry IV, a man of incredible lust for power,
Henry had only just recently usurped the crown from Richard II and committed regicide (1399).
Adam of Usk states the following:
"On the feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist (29 Aug) the king returned to England; while at
Leicester he heard that Owen lord of Glendower, being put forward by the men of North Wales to be
their prince, had risen up in rebellion and had seized numerous castles, and weas everywhere plundering
and burning towns inhabited by the English who lived amongst them, and forcing the English to flee; so,
assembling his young warriors, the king led his troops into North Wales, where he overcame them and
put them to flight, leaving their prince to spend almost a year hiding away on cliffs and caverns with no
more than seven followers."
pedigree was proclaimed Prince of Wales by some of his followers at Glyndyfrdwy. Initially, Owain and
his supporters (most notably his cousins Rhys and Gwilym ap Tudur) were making trouble in Anglesey
and Caernarvonshire. The English king at the time was Henry IV, a man of incredible lust for power,
Henry had only just recently usurped the crown from Richard II and committed regicide (1399).
Adam of Usk states the following:
"On the feast of the Decollation of St. John the Baptist (29 Aug) the king returned to England; while at
Leicester he heard that Owen lord of Glendower, being put forward by the men of North Wales to be
their prince, had risen up in rebellion and had seized numerous castles, and weas everywhere plundering
and burning towns inhabited by the English who lived amongst them, and forcing the English to flee; so,
assembling his young warriors, the king led his troops into North Wales, where he overcame them and
put them to flight, leaving their prince to spend almost a year hiding away on cliffs and caverns with no
more than seven followers."
This outbreak could easily have been crushed by the king, but he
failed to capture Owain. Additionally, the king made the woeful
mistake of holding judicial inquiries in northern Wales, with the
intent of imposing large fines on those communities which were
found to have supported the rebellion. Additionally, Parliament
passed several penal laws against the Welsh people which were
very racial in nature (prohibition of Welshmen acquiring land in
England or in English towns in Wales, Englishmen being
protected from civil suits brought by Welshmen, etc.).The king
left Wales thinking that he was richer and had quashed the
revolt. Instead, on Good Friday 1401, Gwilym and Rhys ap
Tudur captured Conway Castle, one of the strongest castles in
Wales by ruse. They then proceded to hold out for two months.
At the same time, Owain came out of hiding, began making a
series of raids and by the fall of 1401, he had established himself
in north-west Wales well enough to threaten Harlech and
Caernarvon castles. Additinally, they captured the Lord Reginald
Grey, who had been a long-time enemy of Owain's, and
ransomed him for 6,000 pounds.
failed to capture Owain. Additionally, the king made the woeful
mistake of holding judicial inquiries in northern Wales, with the
intent of imposing large fines on those communities which were
found to have supported the rebellion. Additionally, Parliament
passed several penal laws against the Welsh people which were
very racial in nature (prohibition of Welshmen acquiring land in
England or in English towns in Wales, Englishmen being
protected from civil suits brought by Welshmen, etc.).The king
left Wales thinking that he was richer and had quashed the
revolt. Instead, on Good Friday 1401, Gwilym and Rhys ap
Tudur captured Conway Castle, one of the strongest castles in
Wales by ruse. They then proceded to hold out for two months.
At the same time, Owain came out of hiding, began making a
series of raids and by the fall of 1401, he had established himself
in north-west Wales well enough to threaten Harlech and
Caernarvon castles. Additinally, they captured the Lord Reginald
Grey, who had been a long-time enemy of Owain's, and
ransomed him for 6,000 pounds.
In October 1401, Henry IV returned to Wales on another punitive expedition.
Adam of Usk has the following to say:
"During the autumn Owen Glendower, supported by the whole of North Wales, Cardigan and Powis,
continually assailed with fire and sword the Englsih living in those regions and the towns they lived in,
especially the town of Welshpool. A great host of English therefore invaded the area, ravaging and utterly
destroying it with fire, sword and famine, sparing niether children nor churches; even the monastary of
Strata Florida, in which the king himself stayed, along with its church and choir, right up to the high
altar, was converted into a stable, and was completely stripped of its plate; they carried off with them to
England more than a thousand children, both boys and girls, whom they forced into service for
them; and they left the countryside desolate. Yet Owain inflicted considerable losses on the English..."
In 1402, Owain pulled off a coup. Edmund Mortimer, one of the primary landholders of the March and
in England, was captured by Owain's forces. Upon negotiations, Owain forged a marriage alliance
between Edmund and his daughter, thus forging an alliance between the powerful Mortimer family and
Glyn Dwr's revolt. Owain then extended the sphere of his military activity to the east and south-east of
Wales, where he inflicted a severe defeat upon the English at Pilleth, and by the end of the summer had
extended the revolt to Glamorgan and Gwent.
Adam of Usk has the following to say:
"During the autumn Owen Glendower, supported by the whole of North Wales, Cardigan and Powis,
continually assailed with fire and sword the Englsih living in those regions and the towns they lived in,
especially the town of Welshpool. A great host of English therefore invaded the area, ravaging and utterly
destroying it with fire, sword and famine, sparing niether children nor churches; even the monastary of
Strata Florida, in which the king himself stayed, along with its church and choir, right up to the high
altar, was converted into a stable, and was completely stripped of its plate; they carried off with them to
England more than a thousand children, both boys and girls, whom they forced into service for
them; and they left the countryside desolate. Yet Owain inflicted considerable losses on the English..."
In 1402, Owain pulled off a coup. Edmund Mortimer, one of the primary landholders of the March and
in England, was captured by Owain's forces. Upon negotiations, Owain forged a marriage alliance
between Edmund and his daughter, thus forging an alliance between the powerful Mortimer family and
Glyn Dwr's revolt. Owain then extended the sphere of his military activity to the east and south-east of
Wales, where he inflicted a severe defeat upon the English at Pilleth, and by the end of the summer had
extended the revolt to Glamorgan and Gwent.
In August 1402, a third royal expedition went into Wales from three directions,
but failed miserably, most of the expedition being swamped in
heavy rains. Around this time the following occurred:
"Having been pardoned their lives, the people of Cardigan deserted Owain and
returned, though not without great suffering, to their homes; they
were nevertheless--even though the English had decreed that it should be
suppressed--allowed to use the Welsh tongue...
"Intending to lay seige at Caernarvon, Owain raised his standard, a golden
dragon on a white field..."
but failed miserably, most of the expedition being swamped in
heavy rains. Around this time the following occurred:
"Having been pardoned their lives, the people of Cardigan deserted Owain and
returned, though not without great suffering, to their homes; they
were nevertheless--even though the English had decreed that it should be
suppressed--allowed to use the Welsh tongue...
"Intending to lay seige at Caernarvon, Owain raised his standard, a golden
dragon on a white field..."
1403 was an advantageous year for Owain. He extended his
sway into south-west Wales, was laying seige to castles from
Brecon to Aberystwyth, Beaumaris to Cardiff. In the
meantime, Henry IV led yet another fruitless expedition
into south Wales. Additionally, Owain was able to utilize
the Mortimer alliance to secure another alliance with the
Percy family, long a powerful family along the Scottish
border. This was led by the earl of Northumberland's son,
Hotspur. Despite Hotspur being killed at the Battle of
Shrewsbury (21 July 1403), the alliance set the stage to
embrace discontented elements within England against
Henry IV.
The other avenue of aid was to come from the French. In
October 1403, forces from France and Brittany beseiged
Kidwelly, and later that month, a French fleet showed up at
Caernarfon and assaulted the castle. By combining the
elements of dissatisfaction within England and bringing in
the French, Owain was hoping to either force Henry IV to
recognize his title, or to topple the English king.
sway into south-west Wales, was laying seige to castles from
Brecon to Aberystwyth, Beaumaris to Cardiff. In the
meantime, Henry IV led yet another fruitless expedition
into south Wales. Additionally, Owain was able to utilize
the Mortimer alliance to secure another alliance with the
Percy family, long a powerful family along the Scottish
border. This was led by the earl of Northumberland's son,
Hotspur. Despite Hotspur being killed at the Battle of
Shrewsbury (21 July 1403), the alliance set the stage to
embrace discontented elements within England against
Henry IV.
The other avenue of aid was to come from the French. In
October 1403, forces from France and Brittany beseiged
Kidwelly, and later that month, a French fleet showed up at
Caernarfon and assaulted the castle. By combining the
elements of dissatisfaction within England and bringing in
the French, Owain was hoping to either force Henry IV to
recognize his title, or to topple the English king.
1404 continued to see the rise of Owain's star. Effective English control of Wales was now limited to a few
coastal strips, isolated castles, and
some lowland areas. Harlech and Aberystwyth fell, Cardiff was burnt to the ground. Owain was able to
summon a parliament of his own, in an attempt to demonstrate the legitimacy of his title and also to
consolidate his position within native Wales. Additionally, the Bishops of Bangor and St. Astaph came
over to Owain's side, thus giving him two experienced clerics. A formal alliance with France had been
forged on
14 July 1404, which provided arms and money (but no troops yet).
1404 was Owain's best year. 1405 saw the turning of the tide. Domestic discord within England had been
further enhanced, leading to the fleeing of the Lady Despenser in an attempt to bring the Mortimer heirs
with herslef into exile in Wales. They were stopped, which was good for Henry, for the Mortimer heirs
could claim a purer lineage to the English throne than he. During this year, the Tripartite Indenture was
concluded, where Owain, the Mortimers and the Percies drew up an agreement which would divide
England amongst the three of them. This was more of an act of fanatsy than reality, as the hopes of such
an alliance bearing any fruit really had been destroyed at Shrewsbury
coastal strips, isolated castles, and
some lowland areas. Harlech and Aberystwyth fell, Cardiff was burnt to the ground. Owain was able to
summon a parliament of his own, in an attempt to demonstrate the legitimacy of his title and also to
consolidate his position within native Wales. Additionally, the Bishops of Bangor and St. Astaph came
over to Owain's side, thus giving him two experienced clerics. A formal alliance with France had been
forged on
14 July 1404, which provided arms and money (but no troops yet).
1404 was Owain's best year. 1405 saw the turning of the tide. Domestic discord within England had been
further enhanced, leading to the fleeing of the Lady Despenser in an attempt to bring the Mortimer heirs
with herslef into exile in Wales. They were stopped, which was good for Henry, for the Mortimer heirs
could claim a purer lineage to the English throne than he. During this year, the Tripartite Indenture was
concluded, where Owain, the Mortimers and the Percies drew up an agreement which would divide
England amongst the three of them. This was more of an act of fanatsy than reality, as the hopes of such
an alliance bearing any fruit really had been destroyed at Shrewsbury
In early August 1405 the French landed a sizeable force at
Milford Haven, marched upon and captured Carmarthen,
and speedily marched eastward to within eight miles of
Worcester. Unfortunatley, this expedition petered out and the
French disembarked from Wales. This was primarily due to
the French and Welsh having troubles corrdinating their
activities and goals.Owain's luck then began to turn. In 1405,
he suffered a series of military defeats, one of which led to the
capture of his brother-in-law and
close supporter, John Hamner, and Owain's son.
Milford Haven, marched upon and captured Carmarthen,
and speedily marched eastward to within eight miles of
Worcester. Unfortunatley, this expedition petered out and the
French disembarked from Wales. This was primarily due to
the French and Welsh having troubles corrdinating their
activities and goals.Owain's luck then began to turn. In 1405,
he suffered a series of military defeats, one of which led to the
capture of his brother-in-law and
close supporter, John Hamner, and Owain's son.
In 1406, Owain declared for the Avignon papacy (to secure the French treaty), but this was of no avail, as
the French were unable to muster any more hard support for Owain's revolt. Henceforward, he would have
to go it alone, especially after the defeat and deaths of the earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardholf in
1407. Additionally, due to his defeats in the southeast, Gower, the Tywi vale, Ceredigion and Anglesey had
all surrendered to the English and submitted. In 1408, Harlech and Aberystwyth were recaptured.
the French were unable to muster any more hard support for Owain's revolt. Henceforward, he would have
to go it alone, especially after the defeat and deaths of the earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardholf in
1407. Additionally, due to his defeats in the southeast, Gower, the Tywi vale, Ceredigion and Anglesey had
all surrendered to the English and submitted. In 1408, Harlech and Aberystwyth were recaptured.
Owain Glyn Dwr's revolt continued to be active until 1415. Glyn Dwr himself
was never captured and continued to lead raids from the mountains of
Snowdonia, which prompted English travellers to always go with an armed
escort. However, the glory days were gone, the people and land exhausted
from 15 years of continual fighting. Owain disappears from history in 1415,
leaving the Welsh to spin legends around his person and adding him to the
pantheon of Welsh heroes.
was never captured and continued to lead raids from the mountains of
Snowdonia, which prompted English travellers to always go with an armed
escort. However, the glory days were gone, the people and land exhausted
from 15 years of continual fighting. Owain disappears from history in 1415,
leaving the Welsh to spin legends around his person and adding him to the
pantheon of Welsh heroes.
The early years
Uprising
Click above for video
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