Celebrating Owain Glyndwr

Owain Glyndwr was proclaimed Prince of Wales on 16^th September 1400.

On the 600th anniversary of this day the Oslo Welsh Society decided to mark this event by introducing an annual celebration dedicated to Owain Glyndwr into our meetings program.

Just as the celebration of St David’s Day has always been the highlight of our Spring session of meetings, that of Owain Glyndwr, which comes just about six months later, has now become the highlight of our Autumn session.

It is impossible to imagine what Owain Glyndwr would think of Wales as it is today. Some things would obviously please him. others probably not. Wales now has it’s own University, introduced about 500 years after he himself had planned, and his parliaments at Machynlleth, and Harlech have, some 600 years later, been followed by a Welsh Assembly. The powers so far devolved would probably not satisfy him. Maybe he would be surprised, given Wales’ geographic position, that Welsh is still spoken in his country, but pleased that the number of people speaking it is, once more, on the increase.

Harlech Castle where he held his last parliament would still be recognisable to him, but the vale of Hyddgen where he fought such an important battle early on in his campaign might be more difficult. The lake formed by a dam built there probably covers the sit of  his camp before the battle.

The fact that a Welsh dynasty occupied the throne of England only 85 years after his own proclamation would, no doubt, both interest and surprise him. The on-going debate, 600 years after his death, as to where he died and where his bones are buried would doubtless amuse him. But maybe he planned it that way?.

Wherever his bones may rest, we hope that every year, on the 16^th September, his spirit will be with us at our meetings.