The Glyndŵr Rising — A Deeper Study (Years 5–6)

Causes of the Rising

1. 1 Land dispute (1399) The immediate cause: a land dispute between Owain Glyndŵr and his neighbour, Lord Reginald de Grey of Ruthin, which the English courts decided against Glyndŵr. He appealed to Parliament and was ignored.
2. 2 Welsh grievances The Rising drew on deep Welsh frustrations: English colonists had been given preferential rights in Welsh towns; Welsh people could not hold office; discriminatory Penal Laws restricted Welsh freedoms.
3. 3 Proclamation as Prince (September 1400) Owain was proclaimed Prince of Wales at Glyndyfrdwy, Denbighshire, by his supporters. The date — 16 September — is now Owain Glyndŵr Day in Wales.
4. 4 International support At its height (1404-1406), Glyndŵr had alliances with France (Franco-Welsh Treaty of Paris, 1404), Scotland, and Castile. France sent troops. The Rising was recognised internationally.
5. 5 The Pennal Letter (1406) Glyndŵr's diplomatic letter to the King of France — his most detailed vision for Wales: a Welsh church independent of Canterbury, two Welsh universities (north and south), Welsh law reinstated.
6. 6 Why it failed Henry IV's son (later Henry V) proved a brilliant military commander. English resources were far greater. French support faded. By 1415, the rebellion was over and Glyndŵr was in hiding.

• ▶ HIS VISION: the Pennal Letter shows Glyndŵr was not just a rebel — he had a coherent political vision for an independent Wales with its own church, universities, and legal system.
• ▶ THE MYSTERY: Glyndŵr was never captured. He vanished around 1415. His grave is unknown. This mystery feeds the legend.
• ▶ THE SLEEPING KING LEGEND: like Arthur, Glyndŵr is said to sleep in a mountain — waiting to return when Wales needs him. This legend connects Welsh mythology to Welsh national feeling.
• ▶ IN POETRY: almost every generation of Welsh poets has written about Glyndŵr. He appears in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1 as 'Owen Glendower.'
• ▶ THE FLAG: Glyndŵr's coat of arms — four golden lions rampant on red — appears on the Royal Badge of Wales and the Prince of Wales's heraldry.
• ▶ MODERN WALES: Owain Glyndŵr Day (16 September) is a proposed Welsh national day. Institutions across Wales — Glyndŵr University in Wrexham — bear his name.