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4 STAR GUEST HOUSE ACCOMMODATION JUST OUSIDE ABERDOVEY

Local History

The initial attack on Rhuthin was followed by a series of raids on Rhuddlan, Flint, Holt, Oswestry and Welshpool. Glyndwr was outlawed but support for his cause grew.

Hundreds of ordinary people joined the uprising for Welsh independence and exiles returned home to join him. Many English castles were captured and in 1404, Owain Glyndwr held Wales' first Parliament in Machynlleth - signing international recognition treaties with both France and Scotland.

He captured the castles of Aberystwyth and Harlech in 1404 and by 1405, his authority was recognised by almost the whole of Wales. After the successes, however, came defeats at Grosmont Castle and Pwllmelyn, near Usk.

Glyndwr appealed again to France for help in a letter written at the church in Pennal. The Pennal Letter survives today and is kept in the French National Archives although there is a facsimile copy on display at Pennal Church.

The letter is regarded as testament to Glyndwr's vision for an independent and united Wales. But despite his diplomatic skills, there was no response from the French.

Glyndwr fought on until he was cornered at his last castle, Harlech, in 1409. No details of the siege survive but Glyndwr somehow managed to escape. However, his wife, two daughters and a grandchild were captured and imprisoned until their deaths in London.

It is thought that Glyndwr lived his remaining years with his son-in-law Sir John Skydmore at Kenturch in Herefordshire.

In 1415, he refused the offer of a pardon. How he died remains a mystery and the location of his grave is still the subject of much speculation.

The building where Glyndwr held his Parliament in Machynlleth is now open to the public as a visitor attraction and there have been some calls for 16 September the day Glyndwr was proclaimed Prince of Wales to be designated a national day.

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