Dros ryddid gollasant eu gwaed

Settlement in Cymru was dictated by geographical features, Cymru is part of the "Highland" zone of Britain, consisting chiefly of mountains and high plataeu's.

It's relative isolation meant that native cultures lasted many centuries after they were lost in mainland britain, settlement of Cymru wass dictated by the height of the human habitation line on the mountain sides, and by the pressence of coastal plains in the south west

Stone Age
No evidence of human settlement from the early Stone age, but remains from the latter Paleolithic have been found in the Caves of North Cymru in the Vale of Clyws, and in the Glower Peninsula.

Cymru is rich in remains of chambered tombs, cairns, stone circles and other megaliths from the Neolithic period. There was a distinctive megalithic culture centered around the River Severn. Trade flourished in neolithic Cymru, mainly axes, Later, in the Bronze Age, the blue stone of the Preseli mountains was quarried to form part of Stone Henge



Bronze and Iron Age

Settlment in Cymru in the Bronze age came from the Cotswold-Somerset area and from Ireland. The Iron Age began in the later 7th century BC, HIllforts were built, simple at first with subseqeunt elabortation. Most are small, under 2.5 acres, and there are mostly distrubted in the Marches (the region of the border with England) where larger ones are also found. Many Small farmsteads were also fortified, continuing later as Roman Villas.



The arrival of the Celts


It was around 500-100BC that the Celtic languages arrived in Britain, probably introduced by small groups of migrants who became culturally dominant in there new homelands.
In Britain.
For a few hundred years until the arrival of the Romans, the Celts held onto much of there customs and especially there distinct language, most of the British languages ,t the time, was derived from a branch of Celtic known as Brythonic, it later gave rise to Welsh, Cornish and Breton. The Druids also entered Britain at this time, the guardians of traditions and learning. THey controlled the calander and the planting of crops, and they presided over the religious festivals and rituals that honored local gods. Thus they constituted the first target for the invading Roman Legions.

---



The first invasion of Britannia by the Romans took place in 55 BC under Julius Caeser, but it did not lead to any significant occupation. His comments on the inhabitants were intresting, to say the least, he wrote "All the Britons paint themselves with woad which gives their skin a bluish colour and makes them look very dreadful in battle" It was not until a hundred years later, following a expedition ordered by the Emperor Claudious, that a permenent settlementof the grain-rich eastern territories of Britain began in earnest. From their bases in what is now Kent, the Roman armies began a long serries of battles with the native Celtic tribes.
So rapid was the domination of lowland Britain that within four years if the Roman invasion the Roman army was established on the frontier of South Cymru.
The Romans were awestruck by their first sight of the Druids. The historian Tacitus described them as being "ranged in order, with their hands uplifted, invoking the gods and pouring forth horrible imprecations" The fierce resistance of the tribes in Cymru meant that two of the three legions in Britain were stationed at the Cymru border. Two impressive Roman forts remain, Isca Silurium (Caerleon) and Segontium (Caernarfon) in Gwynedd



With the legionary fortress at Chester, Isca Silurium became a base of military occupation by troops stationed in auxliary forts, such as Y Gaer near Brecon and Gellygaer.

There was a considerable rebuilding of forts in stone in the 2nd century, but in AD 120 much of the garrison in Cymru was withdrawn to help with the building of Hadrian's Wall.

An importand reason for the Roman occupation of Cymru was mineral extraction, there are Roman lead mines in both North and South Cymru, and a Roman gold mine at Dolaucothi, Dyfed. One of the forts of the Saxon Shore, designed for defense against Germanic sea raiders, was established at Caerdydd (Cardiff). Apart from the areas of military occupation, and the south where villasa like Llantwit Major were built, the life of the native Celtic population of Cymru was not much influenced by the Romanization felt everywhere else.

--



The Saxon Invasions

When Rome fell to the Barbarians the Britons were left to fend for themselves. Around 450-600 the Anglo-Saxons arrived.
One British cheiftein, Vortigen (Gwrtheyrn) is remembered as being responsible for inviting the first Germanic mercenaries to help defend Britain against the invading Picts.
The arrival of Hengist and Horsa and their Jutes mark the beginning of Germanic settlement.
The Britons (What the Celts of Britain were called) we're driven back into northwest England, Cornwall, Strathclyde and Cymru.


516 The Battle of Mount Badon
The Annales Cambriae states that the Battle of Mount Badon took place in 516 and the Britons were victorious under Arther, "Who bore the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ on his shoulder for three days and three nights." The battle may have been the decisive one that made the existance of Wales possible by halting furhter expansion by the Saxons.

King Arthur


Arthur was the legendary King of Briton, and the hero of one of the most exciting and often recounted cycle of legends and rommances. He was born in Tintagel in Cornwall, son of King Pendragon and the Duke of Tintagel's wife Igraine. The sorcerer Merlin arranged for the deciet that allowed the joining of the two, and asked that the product of their union, Arthur, be turned over to him for nurturing and learning. Arthur went on to be King of Briton and, with the help of Merlin, he held court at Camelot as the leader of the Knights of the Round table.
He led the armies of Briton in a fight against the Saxon invaders, but he ended up falling to his own son (as prophesised by Merlin)

His son Mordred, ruled England whilst Arthur was away in France, Mordred tried to steal the throne and also tries to seize Guinevere, on Arthurs return a great battle between the two breaks out, Arthur kills Modred with a spear thrust, and the dying Modred deals the King a mortal blow on his fall.
Sir Bedivere helps Arthur away to the waterside, and upon his instructions, casts his sword into the lake. An arm extended out of the lake to take the sword and hen disapears, the mortally wounded Arthur was then taken away on a fairy barge and carried away to Avalon, the land of immortal heroes.
A tomb was erected in his hnor at Glastonbury, on his tomb was written "Here lies Arthur, the once and future King"

Saxon Influence
Apart from Arthurs heroic defense, Romano-Britain quickly crumbled under the onslaught of Germanic tribes, themselves under attack from the east and wishing to settle in the sparsely populated but agriculturally rich lands across the narrow channel that seperated Britain from the continent.
Their invasions met fierce and prolonged resistance, but more than 300 years of inter tribe warfare and the ever increasing numbers of Germanic peoples eventually resulted in Britain being divided into three distince areas : the Britonic West, the Teutonic East, and the Gaelic north, which later became to be identifyed as Cymru, England and Scotland, all with very seperate cultural and linguistic characteristics.
(Ireland remained Gaelic, many of its peoples migrated to Scotland, taking there language with them that eventually replaced the native Pictish)

Cymru became the stronghold of the Britons, powerfull native princes arose in Wales, and extended and consolodated there domains. Among the most notable was Cadwallon the Long Handed and his son Maelgwn Gynedd, the Britons in Cymru were united for a time under the latters grandson, also named Cadwallon, who was king of Gwynedd.

The Britons of Cymru for some time made repeated attempts to recover the northern parts of England, but their defeat by Ethelfrith, the Angle King of Northumbria, at the battle of Chester (613), severed Strathclyde and all north Britain from Wales. Cadwallon made one further attempt to recover the north and to win the crown of Britain, but died fighting in 634, leaving his son Cadwalader, (as described by Geoffry of Monmouth in the Historia Regum Britannaie) a distracted and plague striken country.

The Split of the Brythonic Kingdoms
The Anglo-Saxon's gained control over much of southern England. The defeat of Cymru at Durham in 577 cut them off from their fellow Britons in the Southwest, and after the battle of Chester, they were cut off from the North. The Britons of Cymru were now isolated in the Welsh Peninsula, but they could develop on their own as a seperate cultural and linguistic unit from the rest of britain.

Brief History of Cymru: Part 4
The Early Middle Ages

Wales at a seperate Cultural and Linguistic Unit

This is signified by the use of the word Cymru in a poem dated 633. The word comes from Cymbrogos, the celtic word for Compatriot. The Britons, in their conflict with the Pagan invaders, referred to themselves as Cymty a term that is still used today. The word Welsh is a Saxon word was given to the native Britons that they thought were foreign or Romanised

The Death of Cadwaladr

The death of Cadwaladr marked the end of any hopes for the Britons regaining their old Kingdoms on the english mainland. Cadwaladr's father, Cadwallon of Gwynedd was said to have wanted the destruction of the English race (The "Sais" or Saxon's)
The death of Cadwaladr's father in Rome is the starting point of the Brut y Tywsogyon, the chronicle of the Princes of Cymru. The author of the "Brut" stated "And from then onwards the Britons lost the crown of the kingdom and the Saxon's won it" Cadwaladr was hailed as King of Britons, "The Holy King Cadwaladr the Blessed".



In the Welsh Triads, he is said to be one of the "Three Golden-banded of the Island of Britain", i.e. one of the three Kings who wore the golden bands that were insignia of supreme temporal power, and were worn around the neck, the arms and the knees. In another Triad, he is called one of the three "Blessed" or canonised kings of Britain for the protection he afforded to the fugitive Christians when dispossessed by the pagans

He figures in Mediaeval Welsh poetry, and is regarded as an embodiment of other-worldliness, compassion and humility, all of which are virtues to which it is difficult to attain in such high office as Cadwaladr held.




The Celtic Chirch is Reunited with Rome
Following centuries of Isolation the Celtic Church in Cymru decided to conform to the Rules of Rome and the authority of the Church that had been set up by Augustine.

784: The Building of Offa's Dyke



This may have been the single most important event in the survival of Cymru. Whatever its initial intention was, the dyke became a permanent boundry between Cymru and the English. Thus the notion of Cymru as a seperate geographical area from the rest of Britain came to be established, though many Welsh continued to reside east of the 240 Kilometer long bank and ditch.

Nennius and the "Historia Brittonum"
Born around 800, Nennius was responsible for the work "Historia Brittonum" which gives the history of Britain from the time of Julius Ceaser to the end of the seventh century. He describes Arthur as a "Leader of battles, who defeated the Saxons twelve times, the final being Mount Badon"

The Reign of Rhodri Mawr

In 844 Rhodri ap Merfyn became king of Gwynedd, but by his death in 877, he had united all of Cymru under his rule, earning the name Rhodri Mawr (Rhodri the Great)
His reign established a conciousness of Cymru being of one people. In 856, Rhodri killed the Viking leader the "Black Pagan" Horme, restricting Danish occupation of Cymru to a few scattered ports and trading posts and some of the small islands in the Bristol Channel.
He was eventually slain by the Mercians. On his death his dominions were divided among his three sons, Anarawd, Mervyn and Cadell.

The Welsh Acknowledge the Overlordship of Alfred of Wessex

After his successes against the Danes, the Welsh Kings asked him for his patronage. As Alfred's court became a center of learning, his patronage could only have been beneficial to the people of Cymru, although a sense of subservience to the English Crown was established.
The "Cyfraith Hywe" (Law of Hywell) was written, not in latin, but in Welsh. It excelled in granting a high status to women, curtailing death by execution, aboloshing the primitive English practices of prooving guilt, pardoning theft if the sole intention was to stay alive, and safeguarding the rights of illegitimate children, The far reaching, far sighted laws were drwan up in Whitland in Dyfed. It was Welsh Law (and literature) that a French scholar called the product of "the most civilized and intellectual people of the age."

The Battle of Brunanburgh
Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, called "ruler of the or of Britain" imposed heavy taxes upon the Celtic peoples of Britain. A rebellion against his rule was led by the Scots and the northmen, that ended in defeat at Brunahburgh (937)
The Welsh did not take part in this rebellion, even though the poem "Armes Prydein" written a few years before the battle, had predicted their victory over the English. Had the battle gone the other way, Cymru would of surely regained its independance.

---

Brief History of Cymru: Part Five
10th Century Onwards

The Reign of Gruffudd ap Llewelyn

Gruffudd ap Llewelyn was born about 1011 in Rhuddlan, Flintshire, Wales, the son of Llewelyn ap Seisyllt, ruler of Gwynedd and his wife, Angharad Verch Maredydd, daughter of Maredudd ab Owain, King of Deheubarth.

Gruffudd seized Gwynedd and Powys and overthrew Deheubarth, Gwent and Morgannwg. Gruffudd even won military success on the eastern side of Offa's Dyke. Establishing his court at Rhuddlan, Gruffudd managed to preserve as Welsh, areas which had been settled by Mercians and in northeast Wales, areas formerly part of Chester, would become Welsh in the later counties of Flintshire and Denbigshire.

These successes, however, led Harold of Wessex to invade Wales in the winter of 1062-3. Gruffudd managed to escape by sea. In the summer of 1063, a second attack was made, this time with a fleet supporting the army. This time Gruffudd had to move into central Wales and in the ensuing Battle of Wessex, in 1063, Gruffudd was assasinated by a fellow Welshman.

He was suceeded by his son, Griffith Gruffydd ap Llewelyn.



The Coming of the Normans to Cymru

After the invasions of William the Conquerer, the victorious Norman se about establishing the Marcher Lordship on the borders of Cymru, William seemed not too anxious to get involved with Cymru, he had enough to deal with without getting involved east of Offa's Dyke; it was in the best intrests of the Normans to develope close ties with the Welsh anyway, in order to secure their own frontiers.
The semi-independant Marcher Lords were repsonsilbe for many of the magnificent castles that dominate Cymru.



It was not long before the Norman barons began to get involved in Cymru, on the borders the Marcher Lords took advantage of the disorganised states of Cymru to expand their teritories, the next two centuries (1066-1282 form a epoch of continuos struggle against the Anglo-Norman agression. In 1094 there was a brief Welsh revival, led by Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, who united the Welsh against the Normans.
In the early 12th century Henry I of England made a determined effort to anglicise Cymru, which he attacked simultaneously with three armies, reducing most of the Welsh princes to Submission. A major figure during this period was Gruffydd ap Cyan, king of Gwynedd, who rebelled against the English, the princes regained much of there lost ground during the civil wars of Stephens reign.

During almost the whole of Stephens reign, and a great part of Henry II, the dominant figure in Cymru was Owyn Gruffydd, son of Gruffydd ap Cynan. Between his death and the ascendancy of Llewelyn the Great, Dafydd, Owyns son, tried to mantain supremecy of Gynedd.

---

Brief History of Cymru: Part Six

11th Century - 14th Century

1137-1170
The Reign of Owain Gwynedd

Under Owain Gwynedd and Madog ap Maredudd, the kingdoms of Gwynedd and Powys were gradually freed from Norman influence and once again became major political units under Welsh rulers. Owain defeated an army led by Henry II at Coleshill on the Dee estuary in 1157. THough eventually Owain was forced to recognise Henry's control over lands to the east of of the River Clwyd (Tegeingl, part of the Earldom of Chester), he refused to acknowledge the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Cymru, holding the consecration service for the new Bishop of Bangor, not in that northern Welsh city, but across the Celtic sea in Ireland. After defeating the armies of England in the steep-sided Ceiriog Valley, Owain was in control of the whole of native Cymru, Owain took as his title "the Prince of Wales" (Princeps Wallensium).

1169
Prince Madog Reaches the America's
According to legend, Prince Madog of Gwynedd made landfall on what is now Mobile Bay, Alabama sometime in 1169. The explorers then traveled up the Missouri, where a remnant intermarried with the Mandans and left behind some of their customs and their language.

1200
Edward I's Castles
Following his wars against the Welsh under Llywelyn and the Treaty of Aberconwy, Edward began his major castle building campaign, starting with Flint, Rhuddlan, Aberyswyth and Builth. After the death of Llywelyn in late 1282. Edwards second phase of castle building began, including the strongholds of Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech, Cricieth and Beaumaris.

1200-1240
Unification of Wales under Llywelyn ap Iorwerth
Llwelyn ap Iorwerth was the grandson of Owain Gwynedd, under his leadership and military prowess his land were united as a single political unit for one of the few times in the history of Wales.
In 1204, the Prince married Joan, the daughter of King John of England. He was further recognised as a pre-eminent in Cymru by the new King, Henry III. Llwelyn's long reign of 46 years brought an era of relative peace and economic prosperity to Cymru. Welshmen were appointented to the Bishoprics of St. Davids and Bangor. Llywelyn was known as many names, the Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Eyri, but he became known as Llywelyn Fawr. (Llywelyn The Great)

1222-1283
Llywelyn ap Gruffud
After the death of Llywelyn the Great, quarrling between his two sons Dafydd and Gruffudd undid most of what their father had accomplished. In 1254 Henry II of England gave the young Prince Edward controll of all crown lands in Wales. The situation was restored by the brilliant leadership of Llywelyn ap Gruffud (son of Gruffudd) whose success led to the acceptance of his claim to be called 'Prince of Wales' by King Henry at the Treaty of Montgomery in 1267. The people of Cymru at last had their own Prince, governed their own lands under their own laws and were able to conduct their own affairs in their own language. The country was poised to take its place among the developing independant nation states of Europe. Then it all unravled, Edward I took the throne in 1272, determined to crush all resistance to his rule in Wales. Not only did Llywelyn have to face the forces of the King of England, but was also faced with resistance among the minor Welsh princes as well as the powerfull Marcher Lords.
1277: The Treaty of Aberconwy
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was forced to give up most of his lands, being confined to Gwynedd, west of the River Conwy. Harsh measures undertaken against his peoples by King Edward, who began building massive castles garrisoned by English mercenaries and settlers, led to a massive revolt led by Llywelyn.
1282: Cilmeri
At first things went well for the Welsh Prince, but a chance encounter with an English Knight at Cilmeri ended the Welsh dreams. Llywelyn was killed, effective resitance ended, and Cymru as forced to live under an alien political system, playing only a subordinate role in the affairs of Britain.

1284: The Statute of Rhuddlan.
The statute of Rhuddlan (Statute of Wales) confirmed Edwards plans for Cymru, new counties were created, and English law was set in place. In 1300 Edward made his son, Lord Edward, 'Prince of Wales and count of Chester' at Caernarfon castle, and ever since that time that title was automaticaly conferred upon the first born son of the English Monarch. The people of Cymru had no say in the matter.
The Preamble to the infamous statute shows fully its intent to bring Wales to order. It reads:

Edward, by the grace of God, king of England, lord of Ireland and duke of Aquitaine, to all his subjects of his land of Snowdon, greeting in the Lord. The Divine Providence, which is unerring in its own government, among the gifts of its dispensation, wherewith it hath vouchsafed to distinguish us and our realm of England, hath now of its favour, wholly and entirely transferred under our proper dominion, the land of Wales, with its inhabitants, heretofore subject unto us, in feudal right, all obstacles whatsoever ceasing; and hath annexed and united the same unto the crown of the aforesaid realm, as a member of the same body. We therefore . . . being desirous that our aforesaid land of Snowdon and our other lands in those parts . . . should be governed with due order . . . and that the people or inhabitants of those lands who have submitted themselves absolutely unto our will . . . have cause to be rehearsed before us and the nobles or our realm, the law and customs of those parts hitherto in use; which being diligently heard and fully understood, we have . . . abolished certain of them, some thereof we have allowed, and some we have corrected; and we have likewise commanded certain others to be ordained and added thereto . . ."

Thus it was that many of the ancient Welsh laws, codified by Hywel Dda were now superseded by English ones. Welsh law had equally divided property among male children, the system of "gavel-kind." The English law honored "primogeniture" by which property went to the first-born male. The Statute of 1284 allowed the Welsh system to continue (perhaps an English measure to prevent the building up of large Welsh-owned landed estates?). Changes from Welsh law included the rule that bastard sons were not to share in the inheritance, and that the inheritance was to pass to females upon failure of male heirs. Females could also have the right to a dowry in Wales for the first time.

1294-1400
The Welsh Rebellion and Owyn Glyndwr
It wasn't long after the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd that other Welsh leaders raised the flag of rebellion. Prominent among these were Madog ap Llywelyn (who called himself Prince of Wales); Llywelyn Bren, Lord of Senghenydd; and Owain Lawgoch (Owen of the Red Hand). Before the latter was betrayed and killed, he had raised the hopes of the Welsh people of fulfilling the old prophesies of restoring his people's rule over Britain, a tradition that was also seen as part of the destiny of the greatest of all the Welsh rebel leaders, Owyn Glyndwr.

Maps

Heres a map of Kingdoms in Briton around the 5th century, as you can see, lots of small Kingdoms...




---

Well, while you wait here are a few maps.



A map of the various kingdoms in Wales.



Roman forts and towns.



Map of Wales showing Rivers and like.


Thanks goes to Alexandru H. for suplying these maps.

Early sneak peak screenshot:


Link to the AAR's website which still needs a lot of work.
http://kurek.users.warpedcore.net/Wales/Index.html

This is where our story begins

The Tale's of Owyn Glyndwr

In the year Thirteen Fifty Nine a great dragon was seen above the skies of England and Cymru, all men trembled with fear at this sign, the skies turned blood red as the mighty dragon spit forth his deadly flame.

The clergy of England warned that this was a sign of much violence to come.
A wise Bishop of the ancient monastery of St. Deinol's saw this dragon and spoke these wise words.

"The red dragon grows restless, many years ago the wise and ancient magician Myrddin said that two mighty dragons are locked in deadly combat, the white dragon and the red... he prophisied that the red dragon will ultimately proove to be the victor. The white dragon has reigned for long enough, the mighty red dragon once again rises! I prophecise that when the red dragon leaves our skies and resumes his deadly battle a man of royal blood shall be born, a man that will lead us to freedom!"

After a period of some days the dragon returned once more to resume his battle.

***

Near the village of Sycharth there was a fine castle, ruled by Gruffyd Fychan, the Lord of Glyndyfrdwy and Cynllaith. The blood of the Princes of Powys lay in this mans heart, and the blood of the Princes of Deheubarth filled the heart of Eleanor, the wife of Gruffyd.

The day that the dragon left the skies was one of celebration, the common folk of Sycharth sung and danced at the welcome sight of the bright sun and the blue skies, they also drank merrily to the news that Eleanor had borne a son to Gruffyd.
The child was given the name Owyn, in memory of the great Prince, Owyn of Gwynedd.

The local vicar was present at the birth of Owyn and as he held the child Owyn took hold of the cross that hung around the vicars neck and laughed joyfully, the Vicar said this was a good omen and he gave the cross to young Owyn saying,

"The lord has blessed this child, one day he shall be a great man."

***

The following years were a time of peace, the fields yielded many bushels of wheat, and the rivers flowed peacefull throughout Lord Gruffyd's lands, Young Owyn was often seen laughing and singing, running across the fields, such a joyfull child but he did not neglect his education, the priests of the castle taught him about the love of God and also about the great Saints especially Saint Dewi who was most pious and wise.
He also enjoyed the many myths that this great land produced, the story of Myrddin Emrys, (or as the Saxon's call him - Merlin) and the Red Dragon was one of his faverates. It told the tale of Gwrtheyrn, who was King of all Britons, and Myrddin.

King Gwrtheyrn was under attack from the Saxons, so he decided to build a fortress in Snowdonia. He chose a hill at the foot of the great mountain, but every time the fort walls were built they quickly fell down. Gwrtheyrn called for a council of his wise men, who said that it was the work of a bad spirit and that a child without a father should be sacrificed and its blood poured on the ground so that the spirits would be happy. The castle would then be built in peace.

Men were sent in all directions to seek such a child, Daffyd Goch eventually returned with a boy who had no father, this boy was Myrddin Emrys. Myrddin questioned the words of the wise men, saying that it was pointless to sacrifice him as the cause of the Kings troubles were not the products of foul spirits.
He said that two dragons, one white and one red, lived in a lake under the hill, and it was their fighting that was causing the walls to fall down. The white dragon was the dragon of the Saxon's and the red one the Welsh, and if they were released they could fight elsewhere so that the castle could be built. He also said that although the white dragon was currently winning the red dragon would be the final victor.
The wise men of King Gwrtheyrn insisted that Myrddin was making this up to save himself. The King decided to dig for the dragons, if they were not found then Myrddin would be sacrificed, if they were found then the wise men would be killed.

After many days of digging the men came across a cavern, and it was in this cavern that the two dragons were found, the wise men were thrown into this cavern and the hole was quickly filled up. The King then found another site for his stronghold at Nant Gwrtheyrn on the Llyn Peninsula, and of course Myrddin went on to become a man of great wisdom and helped King Arthur of the Britons.

Thanks for the comment, I was going to write up some more over the weekend but other things came up.
I have the rough outline for a couple more posts but they need a bit of refining.

In the year of 1369 a terrifying storm raged across the mountains of Cymru. The mighty roar of the thunder and the bellowing of the cows filled the hearts of all men with fear.
For days this storm ravaged the lands, and for days Owyns father, Gruffydd, lay in bed with a mysterious ailment. The doctors and the priests could not determine the cause of his torment. Owyn and Eleanor weeped at the side of his bed, begging the Lord for mercy, but on the most violent day of the storm Gruffydds soul left the world of the mortals and ascended up to heaven.

As Owyn had not yet reached the age of manhood his uncle, and brother to the late Lord Gruffydd, took charge of the Lordships of Glyn Dyfrdwy and Cynllaith until Owyn came of age.

And now we shall barely skim through the details of the next 20 or 30 years as the records of the early life of Owyn Glyndwr are scarce indeed, mostly shrowded in myth and legend...

The following extracts are from the books "When Was Wales" and "Wales - The Rough History"


"He (Owyn Glyn Dwr) was a complete Marcher gentleman and had put in his term at the Inns of Court. He must have been knowledgeable in law; he married the daughter of Sir David Hanmer, a distinguished lawyer who had served under Edward III and Richard II. He had served in the wars and retinues of Henry of Lancaster and the earl of Arundel, and served with distinction in the Scottish campaign of 1385"

"...He had an income of some L200 a year and a fine moated mansion at Sycharth with tiles and chimneyed roofs, a deerpark, henory, fishpond and mill."


The following years was a time of troubles, I shall not go into the details of how Henry Bolingbroke Usurped the throne, nor shall I recite the tales of the various Lords which played a role in these treacherous days, tales of the Percy's and of Lord Mortimers true claim to the throne, as this history is common knowledge and would deviate from our tale and many other books deal with the subject in a much more detailed way then I could ever hope to achieve, so instead we shall focus on a small event, a insignificant fued between two nobles...

Of course the Welsh knew of corn, dont let modern day 'history' books lie to you! Its a grand conspiracy see, led by the Masons, who are in league with the Alien vampires who are in league with the UN who are in turn in league with the Australians... and its the Australians that run it all! Aye... tis I swear!
And also if you read carefully you'll know for a fact that Madog sailed to the America's around the 11th century... So of course the Welsh knew of corn!

Well that is one theory my brain came up with, the 2nd one is that I messed up , I kinda forgot Corn was from the other side of the pond, I guess its a sign of our modern age, I shall correct the post, replacing corn with er, wheat? wheat is safe yes? Or I'll re-write that tiny bit as I dont like it... hmmm.

Thanks for pointing that out jwolf, surely one of many mistakes I will make in writing this AAR

Don't expect a update anyday soon though, I work at a very relaxed pace...

1400

Lo and behold! Kurek updates Dros rydidd gollasant eu gwaed! (damn, it's bloody hard to spell that, usually I copy and paste it. Bloody Welsh )

The events of 1400

I shall now explain to you, gentle readers, the fued between our hero Owyn and the tyrant Lord Grey.

Lord Grey was a ruthless marcher lord, an Englishman at that! He held in his posestions Ruthin Castle, one of the Castles that Edward the Castlebuilder built during his Welsh campagins, Lord Grey held a large amount of land and many people lived under his rule, mainly Welsh people. Lord Grey did not treat his subjects particually well, as did most English Barons at the time, he taxed them heavily and was generally regarded as a fool.

The Lords lands borderd Owyn Glyndwrs Lands. Owyn was a social equal of his neighbour, although many Englishmen probably looked down on him, the Welsh saw Owyn as being superior, what with being descended from the Princes of Powys.

It was after the time when Henry Bolingbroke usurped the throne when a argument broke out between Owyn Glyndwr and Lord Grey, it was over a stretch of Owyns land that Lord Grey claimed for his own. Lord Grey seized this land by force. Owyn, being a man of law and order, decided to go to London to seek justice at the high court.

"I wish redress from Lord Grey who has illegally seized some of my land" Owain told the officials.
"And who, may I ask are you?" said one of the officials, "And why should we listen to your complaint?"
"I am Owain Glyndwr"', came the answer, "And of some importance in my own country"
"And what country is this?" sneered the official.
"A country of great pride, a country of poets, of musicians and brave fighters. The country of Wales"
"Oh that country!" the official sniggered. "I am sorry but in the circumstances, there is nothing we can do for you. We are not able to give you any sort of hearing. You yourself will have to settle your quarrel with Lord Grey"
Owain, feeling himself snubbed by the English officials, decised to do exactly as they had suggested-settle his quarrel with Lord Grey his own way.

Edit: Added date at the top of the post to avoid any possible confusion

Havnt missed the Battle of Shrewsbury as it hasnt happened yet, the last post was based on historical events of 1400, the Battle of Shrewsbury is not for another 3 years yet laddie Still got another 19 years left to cover before the game proper starts, I'm quite likely to re-write parts of British history in this 19 year period to justify why Wales is still around and fighting...
Thanks for the compliment Van Engel, and now the long wait begins for the next instalment