16 MEDI 1400 - LLYS GLYNDYFRDWY...a big decision was made which is why we are still here as a nation today...just about!

16 MEDI 1400 - LLYS GLYNDYFRDWY

 

                 A BIG DECISION WAS MADE

 

                    ‘YES’                

 

         TO A STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE!

 

              WHY SUCH A BIG DECISION AND WHY A “YES”?

 

Those that met at Llys Glyndyfrdwy on 16 Medi 1400 knew only to well what they were up against; a number had fought in English armies in Scotland, Ireland and France. They were more than aware of the mighty prowess of English Knights hardened on jousting fields, crusades and in wars. They knew of the capabilities of the English to organise and prepare their armies as mighty military machines of war - equal to such of present times and equal to the English, European and American Armies of the last three centuries gone by. Those that met at Llys Glyndyfrdwy were only too aware of the Anglo – Norman conquest of Cymru that had, yes, taken nearly three centuries to achieve, partly, due to native fighting qualities being a totally formidable resistance but also, partly due to political divisions amongs the English rulers and the need for them to fight other wars distracting their attention and resources from Cymru.

Of course, we also had the advantage of our mountains and bad weather over our enemies, and, the very disunity of Cymru and it’s numerous Principalities, each with their own Prince made it impossible to win a quick victory as the Normans had done over the Saxons at Hastings with the death of Harold, their last singular King.

Those that gathered at Llys Glyndyfrdwy on Medi 16 1400 would have taken all the above into account along with the realization that to make medieval war would require the total support of the whole Cymric nation as well as the organisational qualities of the enemy and their present day military machines. They would have been aware of the tactics used by Edward I when raising up his Army for the final conquest of the Cymry where he was reduced to creating an ‘English National Debt’ in borrowing money from Italian Bankers to pay for Basque Mercenaries and extra thick underwear (in preparation of a possible winter War) for his foot soldiers as he knew only too well, that his men were not well disposed to fighting in Cymru in wet or snow driven landscapes. Thus, those meeting on the 16 Medi 1400 at Glyndyfrdwy had weighty matters to consider, they were well aware of the odds against them and would have had to weigh much up!

So, what had brought them to this most historic moment in time to consider not a mere revolt about minor issues but to commit to declaring Owain Glyndŵr as ‘Tywysog Cymru’ and having the courage to launch a War of National Liberation that would, in just three years, witness the entire nation in an unity of armed struggle making of that nation, a ‘Nation  in Arms’ that would, by the summer of 1403, see our land be made free of English castle rule and by the Summer of 1404, would see a ‘Senedd Cenedl Cymru Rydd’ be established in Machynlleth and in 1405, would see a great Franco – Welsh Army march into England and see Baneri Glyndŵr raised at Woodbury Hill in England. Those momentous five years were ones of great achievements, not least, in regards to the ‘National Unity’ that was forged, followed on with the creating of that amazing ‘National Consitution’ known to us all now as the ‘Pennal Letter’ which was essentially, for the times, equal to England’s Magna Carta, but, do we today commemorate and celebrate all this in fitting fashion, sadly and pathetically NO!

http://glyndwr660.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/its-boy-owain-ap-gruffydd-fychan-our.html

Above is but a very brief recapture of the political climate of the time when it came to the point where there was a need to weigh up for a ‘No’ against a War of Independence but, the brave, against all odds, decision was a ‘Yes’! why was that?  Suffice to say, without going into too much detail, that many of the  ‘Cymric Squires’ and those of descent from Nobles and Chieftains alike who swore allegiance to Glyndŵr at Llys Glyndyfrdwy, were the remains of a proud ruling native aristocracy who had had a gutsful of being treated as less. Not least, they were fed up of being wronged over such as the ‘Land Issue’ that had driven Glyndŵr into dispute with Lord Grey of Ruthin. Their aggrevated view of English rule is best seen in our previous article ‘Vent a Mythology’.

''Vent a Mythology'' (Exoteric) as in days of old. (Dadleuoedd were usually held at night times, obviously held at places and times to avoid spies or English patrols). See below an actual medieval account of such.................

.
………It was so reported in those times……
…………….''their harpers and crowthers singe them songes of the doeings of theire auncesters, namlie, of their wars against the kings of this realme and the English nation, and then do they ripp upp theire petigres at length howe eche of them is discended from those theire ould princes. Here alsoe doe they spende theire time in hearinge some parts of the lives of Thalaassyn, (Taliesin) Marlin Beno Prybbe (Myrddin pen beirdd). Jerue (?Iorwerth), and suche other the intended prophets and saints of that cuntrie''.

However, there was much more that was pushing towards rebellion and that was a delayed ‘Welsh Peasants Revolt’. For much of the 14^th Century the Welsh Serfs, Bond Population and Tenants of the Ango – Norman Ruling Class were in a growing state of anger. Fed up of being oppressed and suppressed from trade and having acess to markets and fairs in the castle towns such as those of Rhuddlan and Biwmaris - where riots had broken out over the such banning of natives from ways of making money. Taxation was another great maddening issue; if one had no money to pay taxes, the English Sheriff and his Borough Posse would ride into your village and take your livestock (your only means of making any little money in the first place) in lieu of Tax. No one was free of Taxation, minor lords had to pay up as well as the peasantry. Incidentally, this was the cause of the Llywelyn Bren revolt of 1315-6 and the killing of an English Tax Collector and Tax gathering party at Harlech on St Valentines Day 1345.

Such history shows clearly how the Cymry were oppressed during those years of Anglo Norman occupation and that not all could stand by passivelly and suffer such unjust treatment So riot and revolt would break out from time to time and many of the instigators of such would, of course, if caught, be severely punished  but those that were not caught would become the ‘Adar y Greim’, the Birds of Crime, they being outlaws who had taken to the woods and took delight in robbing the English who fell within their reach. It is these outlaws who would provide the hard core fighters of Owain Glyndŵr’s peasant army. Also in this mix were returning Crusaders and Mercenaries from Foreign Wars, hard fighting men such Dafydd ab Ieuan Goch. Then there were also the ‘workers’ such as Iuean ap Bleddyn of Ruthin, who put aside his craftsman’s tools to join Owain Glyndŵr on his raid on Ruthin on 18 September 1400.

Such peasants and workers post 1421 would become ‘Gwerin Owain’ the outlaws who would continue the ‘Cymric Resistance’ to English rule right up to the revolt of Rhys ap Gruffydd of Dinefwr, who was  executed in 1529. Eventually, this continuing Cymric Resistance gave the English the excuse to send Rowland Lee, ‘the Hanging Judge’ into Cymru to, first of all, pacify the trouble, secondly, to force the natives to accept English Rule. By the conclusion of the 16^th century, this had, to all extent and purposes, been achieved though, a number of Pobl Glyndŵr and more militant ‘Gwerin Owain’ had left for France and Ireland by then to continue the War against the English in those countries. For most of the 17^th Century, Cymru was pacified although there were rumblings of discontent against the English Aristocrats who had been given much Cymric Land.  The ‘Beauforts’, for example, had been given Glyndŵr’s Estates in the 15^th Century and in the following centuries, they were to be ‘given’ 1000’s of acres of further Cymric land by the Tudors and Stuarts.

The name ‘Beaufort’ may sound familier to you if you read our blogs and fb pages and thus, you will be aware of our ‘Tarian Glyndŵr’ campaign against them and other Absentee English Landlords of old and new ‘Conquistadores’ such as RWE Renewables. Unfortunatley, Cymric Patriots today have proved, thus far, to be ‘no patch’ at all on the ‘Gwerin Owain’ or later ‘Pobl Tai Un-nos’, Pobl y Ceffyl Pren and ‘People of the Pitchfork’ who resisted enclosure and famine makers who sold corn to ‘English factors’ whilst their own people starved. By being ‘no patch’ I mean that those that have rallied to our call to struggle for Land Liberty  are few and far between whilst the rest would rather carry out their ‘so called’ struggle on ‘fb Fantasy Island’ or go down garden paths into dead ends following such as the ‘Cardiff Confusers’  to hold pointless ‘Rallies For Scots Independence’ on steps of the Sham Senedd aka, Puppet Parliament, rather than commit to our ‘Cymanfaoedd Annibyniaeth Cymru’ and join with us and other patriots in Gatherings for Welsh Independence at Ruthin, on 20 Medi, and upon Twtil, Caernarfon on 2 Tachwedd 2014. If you have not yet made the ‘big decision’ to support these two founding gatherings of a “for real” radical strggle for Welsh Independence – THEN DO SO NOW! NO EXCUSES… JUST JOIN THE FIGHT AND NOT, ALL THE TIME, GO INTO FLIGHT!

http://tarianglyndwr.blogspot.co.uk/2014_06_01_archive.html

http://partisan2011.blogspot.co.uk/

http://hanescymrugoch.blogspot.co.uk/

NB: Part 2 of this feature which is to follow will conclude as to how having made the big decision OF ‘YES’, at Llys Glyndyfrdwy on Medi 16, 1400, how the Cymry were to carry out such a successful struggle that was to last 21 years, bearing in mind, that the population of Cymru was just 550,000 whilst England had a population of 3 Million.  ‘How’ they did it, has inspired great revolutionary struggle leaders ever since in carrying out their own struggles, and the inspirational guerrilla tactics deployed by Glyndŵr and his national army in early 15^th century Cymru  would, in the 20^th century, become known worldwide as the ‘War of the Flea’.

http://coron1404.blogspot.co.uk/

 

 

 

EMBASSY GLYNDWR ‘Welsh Independence’ POSITION STATEMENT AT MEDI - MIS GLYNDWR 2014

 

We originally were quick to support and back up the Alan Jobbins/Keith Parry Welsh Independence Initiative as we thought that they would make the necessary decisions and take action to get Plaid Cymru not only involved but up front and leading politically a Campaign For Welsh Independence. At same time being to the fore behind the scenes as fas as needs be in motivating it’s membership to work towards developing and advancing a National Unitied Front Independence Platform. This we would suggested be ‘Autonomous’ based on Local Community Independence Initiatives being Local Groups with the necessary elected Administrative Officers and Campaign Organisers , each under the heading of ‘ANNIBYNIAETH CYMRU/INDEPENDENCE WALES’. Membership being open to all who agreed with stated object and aims plus campaigning programme at a National and Local Level. Embassy Glyndwr, that is myself and Sian who are not particularly supporters of Plaid Cymru but even we could see the sense and need that if this to get off the ground successfully it needed Plaid Cymru support and the first positive step in that direction was for KP calling upon it’s members to put forward motions to Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference to make the matter of ‘Welsh Independence’ a priority Policy political platform. Having then won support of Conference, the Party Leadeship would leave no doubt as to where they and Plaid Cymru stood by openly declaring in statements far and wide their position on Welsh Independence. Hopefully such would not then be ‘Sound Bites’ or become removed to the shadows and covered up in a lot of waffle?

 

SO, WHERE AND WHAT NEXT? We suggest.

 

After all the ‘Cardiff Confusions’ in response to Sion Jobbins call to some ‘Independence Action’ not much from he who now has gone into a retreat? whaever KP called for an ‘Independence Rally’ at three different locations (Duke of Clarence, Merchant Seamans Memorial and Tafarn Glyndwr). Having then got cold feet he allowed ‘Hawliau’ to Hi – Jack the idea (KP called it a ‘Rescue’, I call that Bollocks!), pushed along by Geoff Ifans ex - Cyfamodwyr ‘Hawliau’ (see item in my blog: Pound Shop Patriotism) who proceeded to call a meeting at Tafarn Cayo at which nine people turned up and decided then to ‘Hi – Jack’ a Plaid Cymru Rally in Support for Scottish Independence and bull shit it publically as a ‘Rally For Welsh Independence’, this was to be held at the ‘Temple of Pieces’ in Cardiff too. Then surprise! surprise! this was cancelled as well.  However, Plaid Cymru reorgnised their event to take place at the so called ‘Senedd’, that is the ‘Puppet Parliament’ down in Bae Caerdydd and it appears from a most ‘Wafflling apolagetc statement from ‘Hawliau’ that they are going along with this too. Patriots who are now concerned to avoid any further ‘Cardiff Confusion’ should only attend this 13^th September Plaid Cymru event  down in the Bay, if it is to set up a Plaid Cymru internal ‘Ginger Group’ to promote a ‘Welsh Independence’ Initiative within the Party. I suggest that Sion Jobbins and Keith Parry be to the fore there regards this proposed project and also they and other for real ‘Welsh Nationalists focus on support for CYMANFAOEDD ANNIBYNIAETH CYMRU and it’s promoted  ‘Gatherings For Independence’ at Ruthin on 20 Medi and Caernarfon 2 Tachwedd. At same time  accept that big mistake has been made and recognising that no way will ‘Hawliau’ successfully carry fourth any radical Independence Initiative, FIN!

 

Further, no way can this important momentous matter become as it will just a fb ‘Pathetic Fringe’ of ‘Cymber (Cyber) Nats’ living their pathetic fb fringe fantasies. Folks it is time to get very real and not get carried away by a ‘Knee Jerk’ response to all this stuff that largelly is being pushed by Geoff Ifan regards the Scottish Independence Referendum. Geoff has got over excited and sick with the ‘Scotia Surrogatism’ illness and does not consider, what if there s a ‘No Vote’ that will lead to a big ‘suck in’ of breath in Wales and a drainage of enthusiasm, more than likely! I earnestly suggest that now ‘Hawliau’ get back to what it was set up to do and show us that the rather opportunistic article in Daily Wales about the Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm proposal was not a load of ‘Cobblers’ and that they will do as Geoff said he would do organise a rally on MAWR with Ioan Richards of SOCME during Llanelli Eisteddfod week which came to nothing or was that another fantasy moment? Though. ‘Hawliau’ do note you have an opportunity with SOCME to put things right on 9 Mis Medi – Mis Glyndwr at Ivey Place, near Swansea Railway Station and the Grand Hotel where RWE are organising a meeting aka ‘Junket’ for Councillors to convince them of need for more Wind Farms. This meeting is to include an outing to the Mynydd y Bettws Wind Farm and Sub Station, ideal opportnies for ‘Picket Protests’ and so 'SEIZE THE TIME’ and do so, don’t rely on Hawliau or and ‘Cardiff Confusers’.

 

INDEPENDENCE NEXT STEP – WHAT IS TO BE DONE – SO MUCH TO DO?

 

On 13^th September set up an ‘Independence Policy Lobby Group’ that will work within ‘Y Blaid’ as a ‘Ginger Group’ to ensure motions on Independence are put to the Autumn Conference and to such end, this ‘Ginger Group’ will organise a stand at the Plaid Cymru Autumn Conference from which they can hand out leaflets and have a members petition avialable to be sighed supporting Independence which can then at conclusion of the conference be handed to Plaid Cymru Leaders.

 

A SUCCESFUL CAMPAIGN?

 

Requires Hard Work, Funds and ‘Foot Soldiers’, in the first place there is no doubt that Plaid Cymru as such whilst the ‘Patriotic Fringe’ does not and for most part are ‘Cymber (Cyber) Nats’ whillst many Plaid Cymru members live and work in the real World not on fb ‘Fantasy Island’ do commit to going around doors posting leaflets and are not afraid to engage in door step discussions. I can see where ‘Hawliua’ will end up taking this venture, pityfully into another fb expression of futile Nationalism – Geoff has got a plan? What like ‘Y Cyfamodwyr’ and his last ‘Great Plan’ the fb wonder ‘Hawliau’ (led  by he, Leon Russell formerly of CBRD, Paul Wong and ‘Jaconory’ the Agony Aunt of Abergynolwyn, ha! ha!) so called Welsh National Rights Movement. No forget Goeff’s ‘Great Plans’. Think now Geoff Ifans should recognise that his ‘End of Days’  Political Ideas as his ‘Cyfamodwyr are coming to nothing and he should now go back to basics of a TARIAN CYMRU – Homeland Defence Movement. Leaving such matters as ‘Welsh National Rights’ to such has SOFRANIAETH and Sofren Cymru or a merger of these Initiatives which I suggest be considerd in Corwen on 16 Medi 2014 or in Llanwyddyn (Vyrnwy Estate) on 24 Mis Medi – Mis Glyndwr and then advanced in greater detail on and about 21 Mehefin 2015 in Machynlleth with a full on organise ‘WELSH INDEPENDENCE CONGRESS’.

 

The initial steps I have already dealt with, now instead of wasting any more time realise the chances of this getting very far ‘Nationally’ are not very good unless there is Plaid Cymru political back up and then local community organisation, development and advance of the Welsh Independence Initiative. So, not more time wasting accept this as fact and also as fact that holding back on Rallies was a fatal mistake but even I have had a rethink there and say that we forget calling them ‘Rallies’ but rather ‘Gatherings’ aka maybe ‘CYMANFAOEDD ANNIBYNIAETH GLYNDWR’ (as most of the ‘Gatherings’ we suggest are based on a Glyndwr Victory Trail’) and in the first instance very localised and regional as I have suggested to be held in Ruthin on 20 Medi and Caernarfon 2 Tachwedd 2015 to show we mean business and there is localised and regional support out there, as if not no point in going forward is there? So, yes both Ruthin and Caernarfon are ‘Testers’ and I suggest you of these parts of Cymru focus on making these a success and not trust to yet more possible ‘Cardiff Confusions’. I am amazed how may out there would trust to KP anymore, as for Leon and Geoff lets see them deliver more than ‘Sound Bites’ on MAWR and on the Vyrnwy Estate not on a Mynydd Epynt Pacifist Picnic. Wise up and work at it in your community and if a member of Plaid Cymru or any other group, social or cultural and not least within Trade Unions.

 

Most importantly a succesful Campaign depends on two initial steps, you fully understand the case for Independence and can really argue it, then you fully realise what you will be up against as who and what will oppose the Independence Campaign. You will more likely become aware as how to handle this if you not hold any more meetings in pubs in Cardiff or where ever but instead start a monthly programme of setting up ‘Independence Tables’ in your local community from which you will give out leaflets, engage in public discussions and maybe set up a public ‘Soap Box’ to debate with people the whole Issue of Welsh Independence. You should also start getting pro – Independence Petitions signed. This of course is Spring to Summer work though you may get permission to set up in Community Centres during the Autum and Winters. So, busy! busy! busy! YES?

 

The above is very much short term, I will continue to think in this area as to long term campaign work and activity. Suffice to say now that untill a United pro – Independence Initiative Platform is set up we can agree with. In main organising locally and organisiing lin the community also holding suggested ‘Regional Rallies’ but  contining to advance our annual 21 Mehefin ‘Dydd Sofraniaeth’ gathering in Machynlleth as the National Annual March and Rally for Welsh Independence. Embassy Glyndwr would only be taking responsibility for opening the event by organising annually the annual ‘Call for Sovereighty’ on ‘Craig Annibyniaeth’. Other contributions to this National gathering is entirely up to Patriotic gropus not least Plaid Cymru whom we would like to see take responsibilty for the only proposed annual National Rally and March for Independence as suggested in Machynlleth. We at Embassy Glyndwr are not going to mount our own ‘National Independence Initiatve’ but we do intend to set up a blog: ‘CYMANFAOEDD ANNIBYNIAETH CYMRU’ (why this name see our ‘Vent a Mythology’ artice) as a  ‘FOCUS ON THE HOPEFULL DEVELOPING AND ADVANCING WELSH INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE’ in this we shall in first post publish this document and publish comments on it and from time time make available news and information of relevance but we do not intend to organise a campaign but will make useful suggestions and publish what we consider to be useful promotional material. NB: Those who are so inclined could hold an historic meeting on 20^th (in Morning prior to ‘Ruthin Raid’) Mis Medi – Mis Glyndwr in Corwen or on about 24^th same month in Llanwyddyn, Vyrnwy to discuss further advance of Cymanfaoedd Annibyniaeth Cymru as the provional Independence Promotion Platform. 2014 – 16. By 2016 a more nationally representive body and campaign hopefully will have veen set up.

 

Gethin ap Gruffydd. Awst 2015.

PS: Iestyn ap Robert who had been initially delegated to organise the aforementioned SJ/KP Welsh Independence Rallies but utterly and pathetically failed to do so? Now it appears has taken over from the Leon staged 'TofP' to mount a Plaid Cymru and fellow travellers Rally on steps of Senedd (13 Medi) in support for a 'Yes' in the Scottish Referendum. Myself, consider this to be more about Iestyn's 'meal ticket' holiday in Scotland over final days of the Referendum, do you really think this 'slow burning fiddler' will be capable of organising a serious Welsh Independence Campaign, I do not think so. Just watch this space over time ahead.

 

INFORMATION

 

Blogs to see:

 

                      Galwad Glyndwr Tarian Glyndwr. Partisan Cymru and Yr Aflonyddwch Mawr, Stryveland Cymru and Campaign Cymru also in passing for inspiration from the past, see Hwb Hanes Cymru plus Pitcfork and Pike.

 

Not least see Llysgenhadaeth Glyndwr and it’s ‘Groups’ and ‘Pages’ (as ADFEDDIANT and other) herein on fb for regular further information and updates.

 

STOP PRESS. The RWE COMMONS INQUIRY at Swansea Dylan Thomas Centre should be resuming in August? This in main is about the Turbine Transport Road across the Severn Hills of Mawr, not about ‘Beufort - Somerset Trust’ Commons possession. Patriots keep eye out for Inquiry resumption and make it about the ‘Beaufort Bunch’ with a Picket Protest and otherwise at the Inquiry ask bring up the ‘Beaufort Bunch’. The Inquiry was not resumed, I wonder why? I FEAR A SELL OUT!