Presentation about Owain Glyndwr by Dosbarth 13, Ysgol Evan James

1. Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan
James
Pontypridd
Dosbarth 13/Class 13

2. 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.

3. 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!

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. 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!

15. 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.

16. Mr Gibbon says the Welsh hero may also have been a legendary
Character 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.

17. 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!

18. 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!

19. Do we do enough to honour the
memory of Owain Glynŵr?
We do a lot!
But there’s just one more
thing…

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

21. Thank you for reading our
presentation.
Diolch yn fawr!