Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James

PontypriddDosbarth 13/Class 13

DOES WALES DO ENOUGH –OR TOO MUCH – TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF

OWAIN GLYNDWR?

When Glyndŵr started the rebellion, Wales was under the Middle Ages version of the English jackboot. It was illegal for a Welshman to marry an Englishwoman There were also severe travel restrictions, the Welsh would be tried and executed by English lords on trumped-up charges and prejudice against the Welsh was encouraged. More should be done to remember someone who fought and, ultimately, sacrificed his very comfortable life and freedom in the pursuit of justice.

The English (as usual) did not agree with Owain Glyndwr! The English King (Harry IV) was taking lands in Wales and giving them to English lords and gentry. Owain Glyndwr, amongst others, then had enough of Harry IV, his blatant favouritism and the misplaced English attitude of superiority. Ultimately, the rebellion failed, but it was the last time so much of Wales was united under one indigenous ruler. Owain survived the rebellion, but all his men didn’t. He went home with his brother Tudur and that night Owain Glyndwr ran away and to this day, no one knows where he went… not even his wife!

Positive. Negative.It says a lot about this country when we celebrate a failure and a coward (running away from a battle to save himself).

Glyndŵr is a true hero of Wales. and is a modern day representation of our struggle. To those who say we should forget him as a barbarian, we would suggest they revise their idea of fairness and justice and to do some soul-searching: Wales’ struggle for self-preservation has always been hampered by the self-serving interests of some of her own people.

Why celebrate the life of a coward? After all didn’t he go into hiding in England instead of standing his ground and fighting? Of course people will romanticise him. It’s a pity we don’t honour the real life heroes here in Wales, and not some thug who lived 600 years ago.

terrorist n (pl –s) a person using systematic terror and violence for political ends.

hero n (pl –oes) a person admired for special courage, nobility or great achievements.

Meibion Glyndŵr (Sons of Glyndŵr) was a group of people who went around Wales destroying homes that had been bought by non-local people. They argued that local people could no longer afford to live in their communities because the selling of homes as holiday cottages caused house prices to soar. They also argued that houses lay empty for months when their owners were at their main homes. Local people had to live with family or in rented accommodation whilst hundreds of local houses lay apparently abandoned.

Meibion Glyndŵr first came to prominence in 1979. Eight English holiday homes were destroyed within a month. Within ten years roughly 220 holiday homes were damaged by the group. Some people thought that Meibion Glyndŵr gave Owain Glyndŵr and what he stood for a bad name, others were very supportive of the group, saying that Owain Glyndŵr the hero and the group that bore his name were, basically, fighting the same cause: the loss of land and property to the more privileged English.

Responsibility for the bombings had been taken by four separate movements: Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru (the movement to defend Wales), Cadwyr Cymru(the keepers of Wales), Meibion Glyndŵr, and the Welsh Army for the Workers Republic (WAWR) whose attacks were on political targets in the early 1980’s.

The English holiday home owners were disgraced by Meibion Glyndŵr. Their summer homes were gone. They argued that they had done nothing wrong. The effect of the local Welsh people was huge with some people rallying in support and others condemning it as terrorism.

We say nonsense!

Meibion Glyndŵr respected the memory of their namesake.

We believe we are all responsible for considering others’ needs and respecting their traditions, heritage and right to live in their own communities. Having a lot of money should not be justification for the

selfish disdain of the basic rights of others.

The flag flew above the assembly building for the first time last year on Owain Glyndŵr day on the 16th September.

Every year on September the 16th, flags are flown across Wales to

celebrate 600 years since Owain Glyndŵr held his first Welsh

Parliament.The rebel leader was crowned as Prince of Wales at Machynlleth in 1404.He is considered one of the great heroes of Welsh history. All year, special events take place in Machynlleth to mark the anniversary To note Glyndŵr day on 16 September people throughout Wales celebrate by flying his flag, wearing a red and yellow ribbon and children is schools study the history. We love ‘Owain Glyndŵr Week’ in school, it makes work interesting and helps us better understand the ancient battle the Welsh have fought to retain their national identity.

Aberystwyth town council celebrated Glyndwr's day by flying his standard on

the town council’s flagpoles. We think

everyone in Wales should set up flags in every corner of the land to

celebrate the great Owain Glyndŵr Day

Plans to rename Aberystwyth Street, Aberystwyth, ‘Glyndŵr Square have had the go ahead. We think that this is a great idea if for no other reason than to be rid of such an unoriginal existing street name!

Glyndŵr’s burial site has been shrouded in mystery for centuries but, according to the author of a new book, the one-time prince of Wales lies underneath St Cwrdaf Church, Llanwrda, in Carmarthenshire. The author Alex Gibbon’s revelation will undoubtedly re-ignite the heated debate about the resting place of the Welsh legend.The book, The Mystery of Jack of Kent and the fate and Owain Glyndŵr, Mr Gibbon claims Glyndŵr’s body was moved from Herefordshire, where he died, to the Welsh village which has a population of 500.

Mr Gibbon says the Welsh hero may also have been a legendaryCharacter of the mid and south-east Wales borderlands known as Jack Of Kent.

Kent was a Robin Hood-type character who nobody is certain ever existed.

Mr Gibbon, 45, who lives near Abergavenny , said: “One can’t be absolutely certain that I’ve found Glyndwr’s burials site, but I have found startling correlations linking folk lore with Glyndwr. From that I am as certain as I can be that Glyndwr’s burial site is underneath Llanwrda Church. From my research it seems he died in Herefordshire where he lived and his body was moved to the village.”

In light of this, many hundreds of the heroes supporters are expected to make pilgrimage to the alleged burial site.

The Owain Glyndwr Society is not convince by Gibbon’s findings.

Children love Owain Glyndŵr so much that a local heritage centre in Nant Gwrtheyrn has opened a week-long

event for local primary schools. Pupils are given the chance to write poetry and even to star as the great hero in a stage production. “This week has

proved most popular once again” said Elen Thomas, 10. Children Love

Glyndŵr so much that the heritage centre had to turn some schools

down.

That’s How Many Children in Wales Love Owain Glyndŵr!

The Glyndwr Embassy is a society which promotes the history of Owain Glyndwr, is campaigning vigorously for September the 16th to be declared a national holiday

We in Ysgol Evan James totally agree. Wales currently has no national holidays dedicated to the wonderfullness of being Welsh!

Do we do enough to honour the memory of Owain Glynŵr?

We do a lot!

But there’s just one more thing…

We Call for September the 16th to be a national holiday in Wales!

Thank you for reading our presentation.

Diolch yn fawr!