Culture

Life-size Glyndwr statue unveiled

by liamssoft | September 14, 2007 at 08:51 am

778 views | 7 Recommendations | 7 comments

A life-size statue of Owain Glyndwrwho led an historic Welsh uprising against rule from England has been unveiled in the town where he was born.

The £125,000 bronze monument, which has taken four years to make, has been erected in Corwen in Denbighshire.

Its unveiling had been delayed after a lorry carrying its plinth plunged down a ravine in China earlier this year.

It marks the 16 September anniversary of the day that Glyndwr was proclaimed the first Prince of Wales in 1400.

Heritage Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas unveiled the 4.5m (14.7ft) statue, which depicts Glyndwr astride a battle charger rallying people to the Welsh cause on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1400.

Commissioned by the Corwen Partnership, the statue will replace an earlier representation of Glyndwr installed by the Corwen Community Council in the 1980s.

"We are absolutely delighted that this stunning depiction of Glyndwr is finally being installed in his home town and believe it will become a real icon not only for Corwen and the Dee Valley but the Welsh nation as a whole," said Nigel Davies, chairman of the Corwen Partnership.

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PEP

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:01 on September 14th, 2007

liamssoft, good stuff indeed! As one of his descendants, I'm very glad to hear of this, hope to see the statute someday.

liamssoft

at 09:14 on September 14th, 2007

Thank you ma'am.

Jordan Yerman

at 09:21 on September 14th, 2007

Shakespeare fans will recognize the Anglicized version of his name: Owen Glendower. Henry IV Part 1 depicts Glyndwr as a mystical warlord bent on Welsh self-rule:

[...]At my nativity
     The front of heaven was full of fiery shapes,
     Of burning cressets, and at my birth
   The frame and huge foundation of the earth
     Shaked like a coward.

[...]

The goats ran from the mountains, and the herds
    Were strangely clamorous to the frighted fields.
    These signs have mark'd me extraordinary;
    And all the courses of my life do show
    I am not in the roll of common men.

Act III, sc 1)

liamssoft

at 10:00 on September 14th, 2007

thank you Jordan, Henry IV, Part 1 The king’s trusted advisor, the Earl of West-moreland, relays the bad news that Edmund Mortimer, an English military leader, has lost a battle against a band of guerrilla fighters in Wales, who are led by the powerful and mysterious Welsh rebel Owain Glyndwr. Glyndwr has captured Mortimer, and the rebels have slaughtered one thousand of Mortimer’s soldiers. Moreover, the Welsh women, following their traditions, have mutilated the -soldiers’ corpses.SparkNotes

Kaitlin

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:50 on September 14th, 2007

liamssoft, you've encouraged a literary, historical discussion on NowPublic! I want to give you a medal.

liamssoft

at 04:49 on September 18th, 2007

Kaitlin your welcome, thank you.

Bernie Brown (not verified)

at 13:11 on June 13th, 2009

Hello,

I am travelling in north Wales and was thrilled to pass through Corwen today and seen the fantastic statue from the bus. I managed to get a photo of it on the way back from Llangollen from the bus again but will be in Corwen on Monday to visit the haunts of John Cowper Powys and am looking forward to seeing it up close.

Bernie Brown, Australia