Owain Glyndŵr c.1354 - 1416

Family background

Owain Glyndŵr was born into a rich and powerful Welsh family. The exact date of his birth is not known, although some historians think it was around 1354.

• His father's family came from the Princes of Powys.
• His mother's family came from the Princes of Gwynedd and Deheubarth.
• This meant Owain was related to the old rulers of Wales.

The nature and importance of his early life

Owain's father, Gruffudd Fychan, was a powerful Welsh lord who owned land in north-east Wales. After his father died in 1370, Owain was brought up by Sir David Hanmer, an important English lawyer and Judge. The Hanmer household had strong connections to English and Welsh society, leading Owain to be fluent in both languages.

As a young man, Owain studied law at the Inns of Court in London, which helped him in his roles as landowner and lord.

Owain married Margaret Hanmer, Sir David’s daughter, in 1383. Together they had six sons, and three daughters. Their daughter, Catrin, married Edmund Mortimer, an English noble, who later became an important ally of Owain Glyndŵr.

Sycharth

Key facts about Owain Glyndŵr’s family home, Sycharth:

During the 1380s Owain Glyndŵr served in the army fighting in Scotland and in the English Channel. He gained successful military experience and skills, before he retired back to his home, Sycharth.

Military service in Scotland

Owain first gained military experience fighting for King Richard II on the Anglo-Scottish border. At the time, England and Scotland had been at war for many years, and defending the border was an important job.

In 1384, Owain served as a squire at Berwick-upon-Tweed, an important English border town. He served as part of the retinue of the experienced Welsh knight Sir Gregory Sais. Berwick Castle was a key stronghold protecting England from Scottish attacks. Owain was part of a garrisonof around 300 soldiers defending the border. His duties included guarding the castle and preparing for attacks.

In 1385, Owain Glyndŵr served under John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, during another campaign in Scotland. He gained military experience and was brought into greater contact with important nobles and the royal court.

Other military experience

By 1387, Owain was serving Richard Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel. As a squire, he assisted with military duties, including the preparation of weapons and armour. While in Arundel's service, Owain took part in naval warfare against the French and was present at the Battle of Margate in 1387.

Later in 1387 Owain entered the service of Henry Bolingbroke, the king's cousin. This was at a time of struggle between the king and the Lords Appellant, a group of nobles who wanted greater control over the government. Owain supported Bolingbroke and the Lords Appellant during this period. Owain's military career shows how he progressed from soldier to squire and then to a trusted member of Henry Bolingbroke's household.

In 1394, King Richard II led an army to Ireland. Owain Glyndŵr may have joined the campaign and fought for the king. If so, it would suggest that he was loyal to Richard II.

The end of Owain's military service

By the late 1390s, Owain's military career had ended. He retired back to his house at Sycharth to manage his lands and be with his family. Owain's military service brought him into contact with powerful members of the English nobility and gave him valuable experience in warfare, leadership and administration.

The end of Richard II’s reign

Richard II had a difficult relationship with his nobles.

• Richard II was a fairly unpopular king, who taxed people and confiscated lands from opponents. In 1387, nobles challenged Richard at the battle of Radcot Bridge. Following their victory, they tried to weaken the King's control.
• In 1396, Richard II made a treaty with France, upsetting many powerful English nobles.
• In 1397 Richard confiscated the lands of the Earl of Warwick, Earl of Arundel and Duke of Gloucester.
• The Earl of Arundel and the Duke of Gloucester were later executed.

In 1399, Henry Bolingbroke returned from exile in France with an army. Many nobles supported Bolingbroke, forcing Richard II to abdicate.

Henry Bolingbroke became King Henry IV in 1399. Richard II died in captivity in 1400, possibly from murder or starvation, according to many.

By 1400, Owain Glyndŵr was no longer in retirement at Sycharth. He was leading the Welsh Revolt.

How did this happen?

Causes of the Welsh Revolt

Many people from Wales felt a sense of injustice and lack of opportunity.

• People believed King Henry IV treated Wales unfairly by giving important jobs to Englishmen, ignoring Welsh rights and refusing justice to Welsh landowners.
• Some historians suggest that Owain Glyndŵr felt that his years of military service for the king had not been fairly rewarded with a title.
• Many Welsh people felt exploited by high taxes and rents.

The new king, Henry IV, gave his son the title of Prince of Wales. This was not popular in Wales. He also demanded payments from Wales when he took the throne.

Owain Glyndŵr’s dispute with Lord Grey

• Lord Grey of Ruthin and Owain Glyndŵr had been in a dispute over a piece of common land.
• In 1400, the issue was discussed in Parliament.
• Parliament ruled in Lord Grey's favour.
• Owain Glyndŵr believed that Grey had used his influence to get an unfair judgement.

The start of the Welsh Revolt

On 16 September 1400, Owain Glyndŵr declared himself Prince of Wales at Glyndyfrdwy. This marked the start of a 15-year revolt against English rule.

Around 300 people are believed to have come to support him, including his family, Welsh nobles and church leaders.

Key fact

It is possible that Owain Glyndŵr, and others, had come to believe that Owain was the Mab Darogan - the mythical figure who, according to a prophecy, was meant to reclaim that land for the Welsh population.

Owain Glyndŵr’s first attack was Ruthin. Rebels attacked and burned parts of the town before moving on to other towns including Flint, Hawarden, Oswestry and Welshpool.

The Battle of Mynydd Hyddgen (1401)

• This was Owain Glyndŵr's first major victory against English and Flemish troops.
• The Welsh used their knowledge of the local hills to defeat a larger enemy force.
• Around 200 enemy soldiers were killed, and many others were captured.
• The victory boosted Welsh confidence and encouraged more people to join the revolt.

The Penal Laws (1401–1402)

• Henry IV was concerned by the violence of the revolt.
• He passed the Penal Laws in 1401 and 1402, in an attempt to strengthen English control over Wales and to stop the rebellion.
• The laws restricted the rights of Welsh people, limiting their ability to hold office, carry or use weapons and own certain types of property.
• These were seen as a punishment in Wales.
• The laws encouraged more Welsh people to join the revolt.
• Many parts of north and west Wales supported Owain, including Anglesey, Meirionnydd and Arfon.

In 1402, Owain captured Lord Reginald Grey of Ruthin. A ransom of £6,666 was paid from Grey's release, which gave Owain Glyndŵr a big financial boost.

The Battle of Brynglas (1402)

• Owain Glyndŵr defeated a larger English army at Brynglas, near the village of Pilleth.
• Welsh longbows and clever tactics helped win the battle.
• Edmund Mortimer was captured. He later joined the revolt and married Owain's daughter, Catrin.

The victory made the rebellion a greater threat to Henry IV.

After The Battle of Brynglas in 1402, conflict between the rebels and the Crown continued.

• King Henry IV gathered large armies at Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford, but bad weather and rebel attacks slowed their progress.
• Prince Henry attacked and burned Sycharth, Owain Glyndŵr's home.
• By the summer of 1404, Glyndŵr and his supporters had captured Harlech Castle and Aberystwyth Castle.

Harlech Castle

By 1404, Harlech Castle became the centre of Owain Glyndŵr’s rule. This was a symbolic choice.

From Harlech, Glyndŵr held meetings, made decisions and organised his army. The castle was strong, easy to defend and its nearby harbour brought supplies. He saw himself as a leader of an independent state. He began formal negotiations with foreign countries for support, appointed secretaries and a Chancellor.

Owain Glyndŵr held a parliament at Machynlleth (1404)

• This was the first Welsh parliament for many years.
• Powerful Welsh landowners and church leaders attended.
• It showed that Glyndŵr was trying to rule Wales, and not just lead a rebellion.

Support from outside of Wales

In 1404, Glyndŵr agreed on a treaty with France. In the treaty, France agreed to send soldiers, weapons and money to help fight England. French and Welsh forces were successful in south-west Wales, and then advanced towards England, before retreating. However, French forces had largely returned home by 1406.

The Tripartite Indenture was an agreement made between Owain Glyndŵr, Edmund Mortimer, an English noble who supported his cause, and Henry Percy, a powerful English rebel in 1405. The three men agreed to divide England and Wales between them if they succeeded in defeating King Henry IV.

These agreements showed that Glyndŵr was recognised as an important ruler and had support from powerful allies. However, historians disagree about how much practical military help they provided.

The Pennal Letter

On 31 March 1406 Owain Glyndŵr wrote the Pennal Letter to Charles VI of France asking for more help against England.

Glyndŵr promised to support Benedict XIII, the French-backed Popein Avignon, instead of Innocent VII, the pope based in Rome who was recognised by England. The letter outlined plans for an independent Wales, including a Welsh Church and two universities. It showed that Glyndŵr wanted to rule Wales as an independent prince, and not just lead a rebellion. However, the Pennal Letter did not lead to significant additional French military support.

English victories in 1405

In 1405, Owain Glyndŵr's forces were defeated at Grosmont in Monmouthshire by Prince Henry.

The Battle of Pwll Melyn, near Usk, was another major English victory over Owain Glyndŵr's army. Many Welsh soldiers were killed. The defeat weakened the rebellion and was a turning point in Glyndŵr's fight against English rule.

Prince Henry surrounded and laid siege to Harlech Castle in 1408-9. Eventually, in 1409, the defenders ran out of food and the castle surrendered. Owain Glyndŵr escaped, but his wife and daughters were captured. Losing Harlech was a major turning point in the Welsh rebellion.

A brief timeline of events

• 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr declared himself as Prince of Wales in Glyndyfrdwy.
• 1404 - Harlech Castle became his government centre, and he held a parliament at Machynlleth.
• 1405 - The Tripartite Indenture was agreed.
• 1406 - Glyndŵr wrote the Pennal Letter to France.
• 1409 - Harlech Castle fell to the English.

The last years of the Welsh Revolt

After losing important strongholds such as Aberystwyth and Harlech Castle in 1409, Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion began to weaken. Other Welsh leaders began to surrender to the English.

Although he was offered a royal pardon by Henry IV in 1411 and again by Henry V in 1415, Glyndŵr refused to surrender. Instead, he and a small group of loyal supporters continued to resist English rule by carrying out guerrilla attacks from the mountains of Wales. These surprise attacks made it difficult for English forces to defeat them completely. But the rebels were now significantly weakened.

The impact of defeat on Glyndŵr and his family and supporters

• Several of Owain's sons were killed during or shortly after the rebellion.
• His son Gruffudd was captured at the Battle of Pwll Melyn and died as a prisoner in the Tower of London around 1411.
• Owain's wife Margaret, his daughter Catrin and Catrin's children were also imprisoned in the Tower of London.
• Many rebels were executed, imprisoned or had lost their lands

The impact of conflict on Wales

• War damage, economic disruption and fines caused hardship in many Welsh communities.
• Books and manuscripts were destroyed.
• The Penal Laws (1402) limited the rights of Welsh people, preventing many from holding important jobs, carrying weapons and owning land in English towns.
• Society had been divided by the rebellion.

What happened to Owain Glyndŵr?

Owain Glyndŵr's final years remain one of the greatest mysteries in Welsh history. After his last reliably recorded military campaign in 1412, he disappeared and was never captured.

Historians believe he may have lived in hiding with family or loyal supporters, but there is no reliable evidence to confirm this. The exact date and place of his death are unknown, and his burial place has never been discovered.

Owain Glyndŵr's legacy and reputation

The myth of the Mab Darogan ('Son of Prophecy'), had existed for centuries. The prophecy was for a Welsh leader who would defeat the English and restore Welsh rule. The myth inspired many Welsh people to support his rebellion and helped unite the rebels.

Owain Glyndŵr is seen by many as an important symbol of Welsh national identity. There are several statues and memorials to him, and 16 September is celebrated as Owain Glyndŵr Day. He is often regarded as the last native Welsh Prince of Wales.