THE
OWAIN GLYNDWR SOCIETY
Bro Morgannwg Trip - September 21st, 2024
The story of the ‘Twelve Knights of Glamorgan’ describes how the Normans, under Robert Fitzhamon, conquered the area at the end of the 11th century.
Despite being a fictional account, the descendants of many of the knights involved were still in the area 300 years later when Owain Glyndŵr’s forces attacked.
Today’s trip will visit some of the places associated with his War of Independence, and the Society’s AGM will then be held in Coety.
‘DEUDDEG MARCHOG’
In 1561, Edward Stradling wrote the first account of the conquest of the area by Robert Fitzhamon, and he also listed the ‘Twelve Knights’ that accompanied him:
Unfortunately, the list is not accurate and was written as a piece of ‘self-promotion’ for the Stradling family.
It is thought that some of them did accompany Fitzhamon, however, and that others were given lands a few years later by Robert, earl of Gloucester.
Many of these surnames also appeared during Glyndŵr’s uprising, and some are still associated with the area today.
IOLO MORGANWG
Very little written evidence survives about Glyndŵr’s campaign in Morgannwg, but a local stone-mason managed to find information in some ‘ancient texts’ at the end of the 18th century. Unfortunately, these texts then disappeared.
Iolo
Morganwg
Edward Williams was born near Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, and grew up in Trefflemin (Flemingston). He is better known as Iolo Morganwg - the founder of the Gorsedd who led the revival of the Eisteddfod in the 18th century.
Plaque dedicated to Iolo
Iolo listed a number of castles attacked by Owain in the area, such as Pen-llin, Tal-y-fan and Penmarc.
BRYN OWAIN
At least one battle was fought by Glyndŵr on Bryn Owain - also known as Stalling Down - near the Roman road at Y Bont-faen (Cowbridge).
Iolo Morganwg described the battle in some detail, with the Cymry being led by Rhys Gethin and Cadwgan of Glyn Rhondda.
The battle apparently lasted for 18 hours and the blood shed reached up to the horses’ fetlocks.
Bryn
Owain (Stalling Down)
The date of the battle is unknown, but Glyndŵr travelled through the area in the summer of 1404 to join the attack on Castell Coety - and he may well have defeated the army of Henry IV there after the siege at Coety ended in September 1405.
Following the battle in 1405, Henry’s baggage train was apparently lost to the Cymry during a heavy storm as his army retreated to the east.
MAP
LLANFLEIDDIAN
Llanblethian Castle
The nearby church of St John the Baptist was also built in the 12th century. Between 200 and 300 skeletons were discovered in its crypt when it was being renovated in 1896.
Llanblethian Church
The church is less than two miles to the west of Bryn Owain, and the discovery of the bones suggests that a major battle was fought nearby - which adds some credibility to Iolo Morganwg’s story.
EWENNI
Priordy Ewenni was built by William de Londres and his son, Maurice, near to where the Roman road crosses Afon Ewenni.
Church at Ewenny Priory
The priory was attacked by Glyndŵr’s forces because it was being used to billet the army of Henry IV; the solid walls and gatehouse gives it the appearance of a castle rather than a priory.
Walls at Ewenny Priory
Documentary evidence of Glyndŵr’s attacks would usually have been recorded in the religious establishments of the area, such as Ewenni - but none survives.
OGWR
William de Londres built Castell Ogwr early in the 12th century near the confluence of the Ewenni and Ogwr rivers and with easy access to the sea.
William’s son, Maurice, gained notoriety when he ordered the beheading of Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd and her son after the battle at Cydweli in 1136.
Ogmore Castle
Glyndŵr knew that he had to take the castles of Ogwr and Coety in order to control the Via Julia Maritima - the Roman road that was the main route through the area.
Both were attacked at around the same time but Castell Ogwr was virtually destroyed, and much of the lordship was left devastated for decades.
COETY
The first attack on Coety was probably led by John Fleming, along with a force of local English landowners with a grievance against the lord of Coety, Lawrence Berkerolles.
Coety Castle
Glyndŵr’s forces joined the siege shortly afterwards, and it was to last from May 1404 until at least September 1405. The entrenchments used by them can still be seen in the field to the north of the castle.
Entrenchments
Berkerolles died in 1411 and Coety was eventually inherited by the Gamage family. The castle gradually fell into disrepair after the family moved to Kent at the end of the 16th century.
CYMDEITHAS OWAIN GLYNDŴR SOCIETY
BRO MORGANNWG 2024
KEY:
1 Crwys Cwrlwys ~ Culverhouse Cross
2 Bryn Owain ~ Stalling Down
3 Llanfleiddian ~ Llanbleddian
4 Priordi Ewenni ~ Ewenny Priory
5 Castell Ogwr ~ Ogmore Castle
6 Castell Coety ~ Coety Castle