83459348539

who became Edward II, was invested with Llywelyn’s title ‘Prince of Wales’ at an elaborate
ceremony at Caernarfon Castle. With the exception of Edward II himself, every subsequent British
monarch has given the title ‘Prince of Wales’ to their eldest son.
The Welsh made one final attempt to free themselves from English domination. In 1400, taking
advantage of the confusion caused by the overthrow of Richard II, the Welsh rose up in revolt under
Owain ap Gruffydd Glyn Dwr of Glydyfrdwy, better known outside Wales by the English
translation Owen Glendower. On 16 September 1400 he was proclaimed Prince of Wales at Bala
and his followers began their quest to regain the independence of Wales by attacking nearby
English settlements at Ruthin. Intriguingly, Owen Glendower used his alleged descent from the
legendary Brutus, first King of the British, to back his claim. He reigned for twelve years, even
convening a Welsh parliament at Machynlleth in mid-Wales and he was recognized as sovereign of
an independent country by the King of France. The revolt was eventually ended by England’s
military superiority. Many of the great castles built 100 years earlier by Edward I had never
surrendered, and by 1414 the army of Glendower surrendered at Bala. Owen Glendower himself
was never captured and, rather like his ‘ancestor’ King Arthur, he vanished into the mists. Finally,
in 1563, the Act of Union formally combined the political fortunes of England and Wales.