Tag: Wales

Gu Bràth, Am Byth

Bruti posteritas cum Scotis associata
Anglica regna premet, Marte, labore, nece.
Flumina manabunt hostili tincta cruore
Perfida gens omni lite subacta ruet,
Quem Britonum fundet Albanis juncta juventus:
Sanguine Saxonico tincta rubebit humus:
Regnabunt Britones Scotorum gentis amici
Antiquum nomen insula tota feret;
Ut profert aquila veteri de turre locuta,
Cum Scotis Britones regna paterna regent.
Regnabunt pariter in prosperitate quieta
Hostibus expulsis, judicis usque diem.

John of Fordun, Chronica Gentis Scotorum, lib. III., cap. xxii., quoting a poem of Gildas.

[The posterity of Brutus in league with the Scots shall harrass England with war, toil, and death; the rivers shall flow discoloured with blood, and the perfidious nation shall sink subdued by every contest. The British and Albanian youth united shall overwhelm them, and the soil be crimsoned with Saxon blood. The Britons shall reign in friendship with the Scots; the whole island shall bear its ancient name, as the eagle which spoke from the old tower declares; the Britons and Scots shall rule over the kingdoms of their ancestors, and reign alike in profound peace, after the expulsion of their enemies, until the day of judgment.]

Good Brains

Armourial achievement of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

You must have really good brains to speak Welsh.

HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 7 June 2016.

Remember Tryweryn

Unofficial graffiti memorial (English: Remember Tryweryn) to Capel Celyn, Tryweryn at Llanrhystud, near Aberystwyth.
Unofficial graffiti memorial (English: Remember Tryweryn) to Capel Celyn, Tryweryn at Llanrhystud, near Aberystwyth.

Capel Celyn was a rural community to the north west of Bala in Gwynedd, north Wales, in the Afon Tryweryn valley. The village and other parts of the valley were flooded to create a reservoir, Llyn Celyn, in order to supply the City of Liverpool and Wirral with water for industry. Eight hundred acres of land — twelve farms and land belonging to four other farms– were drowned, as well as the school, the post office, the chapel, and the cemetery.

Tryweryn Newsletter, published by the Tryweryn Defence Committee, c. 1957, front cover.
Tryweryn Newsletter, published by the Tryweryn Defence Committee, c. 1957, front cover.

In 1956, a private bill sponsored by Liverpool City Council was brought before Parliament to develop a water reservoir from the Tryweryn Valley. The development would include the flooding of Capel Celyn. By obtaining authority via an Act of Parliament, Liverpool City Council would not require planning consent from the relevant Welsh local authorities. This, together with the fact that the village was one of the last Welsh-only speaking communities, ensured that the proposals became deeply controversial.

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Also in 1956, the Tryweryn Defence Committee was formed, including some of Wales’ most prominent and revered personalities, including Ifan ab Owen Edwards, Megan Lloyd George, T. I. Ellis, and Lord Ogmore. Many other branches of the committee were formed, including the Capel Celyn Defence Committee and the Liverpool branch of the Tryweryn Defence Committee.

"Save Cwm Tryweryn for Wales" by Gwynfor Evans, c. 1957.
“Save Cwm Tryweryn for Wales” by Gwynfor Evans, c. 1957.

Thirty-five out of thirty-six Welsh Members of Parliament opposed the Liverpool Corporation Act of 1957 (the other did not vote), but on 1 August 1957 it was passed by Harold Macmillan’s Conservative government, with the support of Henry Brooke, the Minister for Welsh Affairs. The members of the community waged an eight-year capaign, ultimately unsuccessful, to prevent the destruction of their homes.

On three occasions between 1962 and 1963, there were attempts to sabotage the building of the reservoir. On 10 February 1963 a transmitter exploded on the site and an Aberystwyth student, Emyr Llywelyn Jones, was sentenced to prison for twelve months for his part in the act. When he was sentenced, two members of ‘MAC’ (Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru), Owain Williams and John Albert Jones, blew up a pylon at Gellilydan.

Llyn Celyn was officially opened on 28 October 1965. At the opening ceremony, where the Lord Mayor of Liverpool was present, a protest was held which included the appearance in military uniforms of the Free Wales Army (FWA).

A table of farms destroyed in the creation of Llyn Celyn, from Moses Griffith’s report, Undeb Cymru Fydd papers, 110.

Name Acreage Occupant
Tyucha and Thyddyn Bychan 03 D. Jones
Hafod Fadog 07 D. Jones
Garnedd Lwyd, part of Goed-y-Mynach 45 J. W. Evans
Caefadog and Choedymynach 52.5 D. Roberts
Gelli Uchaf 51.5 Gth Evans
Gwerndelwau 46 J. Rowlands
Hafodwen 08.5 J.A. Jones
Ty Nant 02 R.E. Jones
Craigyronw, Weirglodd Ddu, Moelfryn and
Chaerwernog		 80.5 M. Roberts
Maesydail 85 I. Jones
Bochyrhaeadr 44.5 W. H. Pugh
Brynifan 10.5 J. M. Jones
Gwerngenau 68 C. O. Jones
Penbryn Mawr and Thynybont 79 J. J. Edwards
Penbryn Bach and Dolfawr 65 I Parry
Tyncerrig 42 I Roberts
Total number of acres = 770

The flooding of the village inspired Enya’s song Dan y Dŵr (lyrics by Roma Ryan).

Dan y dwr, tawelwch sydd.
Dan y dwr, galwaf i.
Nid yw’r swn gyda fi.

Dan y dwr, tawelwch am byth.
Dan y dwr, galwaf i.
Nid yw’r swn ddim fwy gyda fi.

Beneath the waters, there is silence.
Beneath the waters, I call you.
There is no company with me.

Beneath the waters, silent forever.
Beneath the waters, I call you.
The sound is no longer with me.

Curious Pan-Celtic Flag

Pan-Celtic flag of unknown provenance; a collage of the supposed "seven modern Celtic nations"; the flags of Galicia, Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Cornwall, with a super-imposed triskelion.
Pan-Celtic flag of unknown provenance; a collage (perhaps more properly a gyronny) of the supposed “seven modern Celtic nations”; the flags of Galicia, Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Wales, the Isle of Man, and Cornwall, with a super-imposed triskelion.

Flags of the Modern “Celtic” Nations

Flag of Galicia.
Brattagh Vannin; Flag of Man.
Bratach na hÉireann; Irish Tricolour; Flag of Ireland.
St. Andrew’s Cross; The Saltire; Flag of Scotland.
Gwenn-ha-du; Flag of Brittany.
Baner Cymru; Y Ddraig Goch; The Red Dragon; Flag of Wales.
Baner Peran; St. Piran’s Flag; Flag of Cornwall.

Annales Cambriae

Page view from the Harleian manuscript of the Annals of Wales; British Library.
Page view from the Harleian manuscript of the Annals of Wales; British Library.
447 ‡ Days as dark as night.‡
453 Easter altered on the Lord’s Day by Pope Leo, Bishop of Rome.
454 St. Brigid is born.
457 St. Patrick goes to the Lord.
458 St. David is born in the thirtieth year after Patrick left Menevia.
468 The death of Bishop Benignus.
501 Bishop Ebur rests in Christ, he was 350 years old.
516 The Battle of Badon, in which Arthur carried the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ for three days and three nights on his shoulders and the Britons were the victors.
521 St. Columba is born. The death of St. Brigid.
537 The battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell: and there was plague in Britain and Ireland.
544 The sleep [death] of Ciaran.
547 The great death [plague] in which Maelgwn, king of Gwynedd died. ‡Thus they say ‘The long sleep of Maelgwn in the court of Rhos’. Then was the yellow plague.‡
558 The death of Gabrán, son of Dungart.
562 Columba went to Britain.
565 ‡The voyage of Gildas to Ireland.‡
569 ‡The ‘Synod of Victory’ was held between the Britons.‡
570 Gildas ‡wisest of Britons‡ died.
573 The battle of Arfderydd ‡between the sons of Eliffer and Gwenddolau son of Ceidio; in which battle Gwenddolau fell; Merlin went mad.‡
574 The sleep [death] of Brendan of Birr.
580 Gwrgi and Peredur ‡sons of Elifert‡ died.
584 Battle against the Isle of Man and the burial of Daniel of the Bangors.
589 The conversion of Constantine [king of Britain] to the Lord.
594 ‡Aethelbert reigned in England.‡
595 The death of Columba.
The death of king Dunod ‡son of Pabo.‡
Augustine and Mellitus converted the English to Christ.
601 The synod of Urbs Legionis [Chester].
Gregory died in Christ and also bishop David of Moni Iudeorum.
606 The burial of bishop Cynog.
607 The death of Aidan son of Gabrán
612 The death of Kentigern and bishop Dyfrig.
613 The battle of Caer Legion [Chester]. And there died Selyf son of Cynan. And Iago son of Beli slept [died].
616 Ceredig died.
617 Edwin begins his reign.
624 The sun is covered [eclipsed].
626 Edwin is baptized, and Rhun son of Urien baptized him.
627 Belin dies.
629 The beseiging of king Cadwallon in the island of Glannauc.
630 Gwyddgar comes and does not return. On the Kalends of January the battle of Meigen; and there Edwin was killed with his two sons; but Cadwallon was the victor.
631 The battle of Cantscaul in which Cadwallon fell.
632 The slaughter of the [river] Severn and the death of Idris.
644 The battle of Cogfry in which Oswald king of the Northmen and Eawa king of the Mercians fell.
645 The hammering of the region of Dyfed, when the monastery of David was burnt.
649 ‡Slaughter in Gwent.‡
650 The rising of a star.
656 The slaughter of Campus Gaius.
657 Penda killed.
658 Oswy came and took plunder.
661 Cummine the tall died.
662 Brocmail ‡the tusked ‡ dies.
665 The first celebration of Easter among the Saxons. The second battle of Badon. Morgan dies.
669 Oswy, king of the Saxons, dies.
676 A star of marvelous brightness was seen shining throughout the whole world.
682 A great plague in Britain, in which Cadwaladr son of Cadwallon dies.
683 A plague ‡was‡ in Ireland.
684 A great earthquake in the Isle of Man.
689 The rain turned to blood in Britain, and ‡in Ireland‡ milk and butter turned to blood.
704 Aldfrith king of the Saxons died. The sleep of Adomnán.
714 Night was as bright as day. Pepin the elder [actually Pepin II, of Heristal], king of the Franks, died in Christ.
717 Osred king of the Saxons dies.
718 The consecration of the church of the archangel Michael ‡on mount Gargano.‡
721 A hot summer.
722 Beli son of Elffin dies. And the battle of Hehil among the Cornish, the battle of Garth Maelog, the battle of Pencon among the south Britons, and the Britons were the victors in those three battles.
728 The battle of mount Carno.
735 Bede the priest sleeps.
736 Oengus king of the Picts died.
750 Battle between the Picts and the Briton, that is the battle of Mocetauc. And their king Talorgan is killed by the Britions.
754 Rhodri king of the Britons dies.
757 Ethelbalk king of the Saxons dies.
760 A battle between the Britons and the Saxons, that is the battle of Hereford and Dyfnwal son of Tewdwr dies.
768 Easter is changed among the Britons ‡on the Lord’s day ‡, Elfoddw, servant of God, emending it.
775 Ffernfael son of Ithael dies.
776 Cinaed king of the Picts dies.
777 Abbot Cuthbert dies.
778 The devastation of the South Britons by Offa.
784 The devastation of Britain by Offa in the summer.
796 ‡Devastation by Rheinwg son of Offa ‡ The first coming of the gentiles [Norsemen] among the southern Irish.
797 Offa king of the Mercians and Maredudd king of the Demetians die, and the battle of Rhuddlan.
798 Caradog king of Gwynedd is killed by the Saxons.
807 Arthen king of Ceredigion dies. ‡Solar eclipse‡
808 Rhain king of the Demetians and Cadell ‡king‡ of Powys die.
809 Elfoddw archbishop in the Gwynedd region went to the Lord.
810 ‡The moon covered ‡. Mynyw burnt. ‡Death of cattle in Britain.‡
811 Owain son of Maredudd dies.
812 The fortress of Degannwy is struck by lightning and burnt.
813 Battle between Hywel ‡and Cynan. Hywel‡ was the victor.
814 There was great thunder and it caused many fires. Tryffin son of Rhain died. And Gruffydd son of Cyngen is killed by treachery by his brother Elisedd after an interval of two months. Hywel triumphed over the island of Mona and he drove Cynan from there with a great loss of his own army.
816 Hywel was again expelled from Mona. Cynan the king dies. ‡Saxons invaded the mountains of Eryri and the kingdom of Rhufoniog‡.
817 The battle of Llan-faes.
818 ‡Cenwulf devastated the Dyfed region.‡
822 The fortress of Degannwy is destroyed by the Saxons and they took the kingdom of Powys into their own control.
825 Hywel dies.
831 ‡Lunar eclipse.‡ Laudent died and Sadyrnfyw Hael of Mynyw died.
840 Nobis the bishop ruled Mynyw.
842 Idwallon dies.
844 Merfyn dies. The battle of Cetill.
848 The battle of Ffinnant. Ithael king of Gwent was killed by the men of Brycheiniog.
849 Meurig was killed by Saxons.
850 Cynin is killed by the gentiles.
853 Mona laid waste by black gentiles.
856 Kenneth king of the Picts died. And Jonathan prince of Abergele dies.
860 Catgueithen was expelled.
864 Duda laid Glywysing waste.
865 Cian of Nanhyfer died.
866 The city of York was laid waste, that is the battle with the black gentiles.
869 The battle of Bryn Onnen.
870 The fortress of Alt Clud was broken by the gentiles.
871 Gwgon king of Ceredigion was drowned.
873 Nobis ‡the bishop‡ and Meurig die. The battle of Bannguolou.
874 ‡Llunferth the bishop consecrated.‡
875 Dungarth king of Cernyw ‡that is of the Cornish‡ was drowned.
876 The battle of Sunday in Mona.
877 Rhodri and his son Gwriad is killed by the Saxons.
878 Aed son of Neill dies.
880 The battle of Conwy. Vengeance for Rhodri at God’s hand. ‡The battle of Cynan.‡
882 Catgueithen died.
885 Hywel died in Rome.
887 Cerball died.
889 Suibne the wisest of the Irish died.
892 Hyfaidd dies.
894 Anarawd came with the Angles and laid waste Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi.
895 The Northmen came and laid waste Lloegr and Bycheiniog and Gwent and Gwynllywiog.
896 ‡Bread failed in Ireland. Vermin like moles with two teeth fell from the air and ate everything up; they were driven out by fasting and prayer.‡
898 ‡Athelstan king of the Saxons died.‡
900 Alfred king of the Gewissi dies.
902 Igmund came to Mona and took Maes Osfeilion.
903 ‡Merfyn son of Rhodri died and ‡ Llywarch son of Hyfaidd dies.
904 Rhodri ‡sone of Hyfaidd ‡ was beheaded in Arwystli.
906 The battle of Dinmeir and Mynyw was broken.
907 ‡Bishop ‡ Gorchywyl dies ‡ and king Cormac‡.
908 ‡Bishop ‡ Asser died.
909 King Cadell son of Rhodri dies.
913 Ohter comes ‡to Britain‡.
915 Anarawd king ‡of the Britons‡ dies.
917 Queen Aethelflaed died.
919 King Clydog was killed.
921 The battle of Dinas Newydd.
928 Hywel journeyed to Rome. ‡Helen died.‡
935 ‡Gruffydd son of Owain died.‡
938 The battle of Brune.
939 Hyfaidd son of Clydog, and Meurig, died.
941 Aethelstan ‡king of the Saxons‡ died.
942 King Afloeg dies.
943 Cadell son of Arthfael was poisoned. And Idwal ‡son of Rhodri ‡ and his son Elisedd are killed by the Saxons.
944 Llunferth bishop in Mynyw died.
945 ‡Bishop Morlais died.‡
946 Cyngen son of Elisedd was poisoned. And Eneuris bishop in Mynyw died. And strathclyde was laid wasted by the Saxons.
947 Edmund king of the Saxons was killed.
950 Hywel king of the Britons ‡called the Good‡ died.
951 And Cadwgan son of Owain is killed by the Saxons. And the battle of Carno ‡between the sons of Hywel and the sons of Idwal‡.
952 ‡Iago and Idwal the sons of Idwal laid Dyfed waste.‡
954 Rhodri son of Hywel dies.

— Ingram, James, translator. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. London: Everyman Press, 1912.

The primary text of the above translation is taken from the Harleian manuscript (a.k.a. MS. A — London, British Library, MS. Harleian 3859, folios 190r-193r.), the earliest copy of the Annales Cambriae which has survived. The text enclosed within the “‡” symbols are entries which are not found in the Harleian manuscript, but which appear in a later version.

A Great Hosting Against the Welsh

The King of the English made a great hosting against the Welsh. They encamped at Cannock Castle, and the King sent legates bearing letters to the Irish Galls and to Fedlimid mac Cathail Chrobdeirg, bidding them to attend him, to conquer the Welsh. Then the Justiciar and the Irish Galls repaired to the King, and Fedlimid O Conchobair with a great army went to the help of the King in Wales. They despoiled the whole country, but exacted no pledge or hostage from the Welsh at that time. Fedlimid was held in honour by the King then and was well pleased when he returned westwards.

— Annals of Connaught, 1245.5.