Flags celebrate Glyndwr heritage

Denbighshire says no other area has a better claim to honour Glyndwr

Flags will be flown across Wales to commemorate the proclamation of Owain Glyndwr as Prince of Wales more than 600 years ago.

He was proclaimed prince on 16 September 1400 after leading an attack on Ruthin, where a flag will fly above County Hall in his honour.

Flags will also be flown at various National Museum Wales and Cadw sites.

The raising of the flags are all part of a national celebration unofficially known as Owain Glyndwr Day.

Owain Glyndwr led a revolt against the English crown in the early 1400s and set up Wales' first parliament 600 years ago in Machynlleth, Powys.

If it wasn't for Owain, Wales would most certainly lack the recognition it has as a country today Alun Ffred Jones, heritage minister

Glyndwr is thought to have been born at Glyndyfrdwy near Corwen, Denbighshire and brought up in the Wrexham area at Hanmer, where he married a local nobleman's daughter.

Denbighshire Council chair Raymond Bartley said the body was proud to fly Glyndwr's flag because of his strong connections to the area.

"We in Denbighshire feel there is no other area in Wales that have a better claim to him," said Mr Bartley.

"We have decided to fly the flag on this date each year in his memory and we are pleased to commemorate such an important character in Welsh history."

Hoisted

The Glyndwr banner will be flown at three Welsh institutions: The National History Museum at St Fagans in Cardiff, the National Slate Museum in Llanberis, Gwynedd, and the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Blaenafon, Torfaen.

His red and yellow standard will also be hoisted at Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Caerphilly castles, which are all run by Cadw.

At Conwy, Cadw will unveil its new Time Detective Trail which tells the story of how Glyndwr's supporters seized the castle on 1 April 1401.

Heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones also believes it is important to recognise Glyndwr's role in Welsh history and said Cadw's plans were a fitting way to remember him.

"If it wasn't for Owain, Wales would most certainly lack the recognition it has as a country today," he said.

"Harlech Castle was Glyndwr's stronghold during his life and it is fitting this castle, as well as other monuments in Wales, will be flying his flag."

• Machynlleth, where Glyndwr set up the first Welsh parliament in 1404, is holding its own Owain Glyndwr Festival between 17 and 19 September.