Pennal lies near the River Dovey estuary (Afon Dyfi), the geographical, historic and mythical heart of Wales.

Pennal is the southernmost tip of the ancient Kingdom of Gwynedd, still remembered today as the County of Gwynedd, although Pennal is 'postally' in Powys ie Nr Machynlleth in Montgomeryshire, the mediaeval market town which is 4 miles away inland on the A493, with Aberdyfi, the picturesque seaside resort, 6 miles to the west.

The village itself is famous in it’s own right for the myth and legend that surrounds it and in particular the Welsh rebel Owain Glyndwr who recaptured Wales from the English, holding his parliament in Machynlleth and his secret strategy meetings at the church in Pennal. The church, St. Peter Ad Vincula which was founded circa 520 AD, was used not only by Glyndwr but had been the Chapel Royal of the Princes of Gwynedd for centuries before and contains many historical treasures. For more information go to:
www.glyndwrchapelroyal.co.uk

Born around 1350, Owain Glyndwr was a member of the Welsh aristocracy and seems to have had a fairly conventional upbringing. But in later life, he led a revolt against the ruling English and held a Welsh Parliament in Machynlleth.

As a young man, Glyndwr studied law at the Inns of Court and was a solider in the English army.

He had a mansion at Sycharth near Llangedwyn in Powys where he lived with his wife and children. Unusually perhaps, it wasn't until he was in his late forties that Owain Glyndwr became a rebel with a cause.

Resentment at the way the English treated the Welsh had been building up across the country. Glyndwr's sense of Welsh identity was strengthened after a dispute over common land with his English neighbour Lord Grey of Rhuthin, who was a close associate of King Henry IV.

It seems the King's failure to mediate fairly in the dispute was a determining factor in Glyndwr's decision to revolt. In 1400, he led an attack the town of Rhuthin where he was proclaimed Prince of Wales by his supporters. As a direct descendant of the Princes of Powys and the Deheubarth, it was a title to which he could lay good claim.

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