Interpreting Owain Glyndŵr: Patriot or Rebel?

1. How have the actions of Owain Glyndŵr been interpreted? What different interpretations exist on Owain Glyndŵr and his rebellion? Should Glyndŵr be seen as a Welsh patriot or rather as a rebel and murderer? These are questions that you will be able to answer after the completion of this task. Click icons to: Click for help End PPT Print work Advance to next slide Advance to source material Source A

2. How have the actions of Owain Glyndŵr been interpreted? So what are you expected to do? Write descriptions of differing interpretations of Owain Glyndŵr . What I’m Looking For Give an explanation of why different historical interpretations might be produced. Use appropriate dates and historical terms. Click to reveal Suitably structure your work.

3. How have the actions of Owain Glyndŵr been interpreted? What is the task? Study sources A and B: how and why do they give contrasting opinions of the actions of Owain Glyndŵr ? Describe how the interpretations differ and give reasons to explain why they might is. Click to reveal Click to reveal Source A Source B

4. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr ? So Owain Glyndŵr is the ‘greatest-ever North Walian’? Wrong. He’s the greatest-ever Welshman in my book … It’s not widely understood today that most of Wales stood with Glyndwr in his long rebellion against English rule. His qualities as a leader and strategist were truly extraordinary. Before the creation of the National Assembly in 1999, Owain’s Parliament was the only meaningful national forum in Welsh history. Owain disappeared into the mists of time, but his spirit still inspires many of us today. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Who is the author? What do they do? [The Welsh BBC newsreader Huw Edwards commenting after readers of the Daily Post newspaper voted Owain Glyndŵr the greatest North Walian (2010)] Source A Source B What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced?

5. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr ? Glyndŵr, the ‘Welsh prince’ was only distantly related to the Welsh princes. He was in fact English and was a barbarous thug who raped and murdered innocent people, including innocent Welsh people. Do we really need to fly flags for this barbarian? We need to remember him as he was in history and not as some fairytale thought up by Welsh nationalists. Who in their right mind would want their child brought up to look up to such a figure? When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? Who is the author? What do they do? [Gaynor, an English woman from Llanelli, writing on an internet message board set up to gather public opinion over whether there should be a special Glyndŵr Day in Wales (2008)] Source A Source B What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced?

6. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr ? So Owain Glyndŵr is the ‘greatest-ever North Walian’? Wrong. He’s the greatest-ever Welshman in my book … It’s not widely understood today that most of Wales stood with Glyndwr in his long rebellion against English rule. His qualities as a leader and strategist were truly extraordinary. Before the creation of the National Assembly in 1999, Owain’s Parliament was the only meaningful national forum in Welsh history. Owain disappeared into the mists of time, but his spirit still inspires many of us today. Owain Glyndŵr What does the writer believe about Owain Glyndŵr? What evidence is used by the writer to support their view? Record your ideas Source A

7. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr ? Read the information below and to try and help you understand something of the actions of Owain Glyndŵr. Owain Glyndŵr Owain Glyndŵrwas born in the 1350s. He was educated in England, joining the English army and taking part in an invasion of Scotland before retiring to his family estates in Wales. A land dispute with his neighbour, Reginald de Grey, saw Glyndŵrlead a rebellion. In September Glyndŵrproclaimed himself prince of Wales. This led to rebellions throughout Wales against English rule. Supported by the French, Glyndŵrwas to rule much of Wales. However, by 1408, the English had regained control of Wales, and support for the revolt faded. Glyndŵrnow went on the run. The last mention of him was in 1416. Owain Glyndŵr seen with an orb and sceptreSource: Wikimedia Commons

8. Who is the author? What do they do? [The Welsh BBC newsreader Huw Edwards commenting after readers of the Daily Post newspaper voted Owain Glyndŵr the greatest North Walian (2010)] What can you learn about the author? A regional newspaper for North Wales whose articles mainly deal with Welsh news. Welsh May lead to cultural bias which means interpreting and judging events from an English point of view. BBC newsreader Means he is knowledgeable but not a historian. May lead to cultural bias which means interpreting and judging events from an English point of view. Means he is knowledgeable but not a historian. Daily Post newspaper A regional newspaper for North Wales whose articles mainly deal with Welsh news. Click the tabs to match the terms on the left with an explanation on the right. Answers Source A

9. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? [The Welsh BBC newsreader Huw Edwards commenting after readers of the Daily Post newspaper voted Owain Glyndŵr the greatest North Walian (2010)] Why might the date be important? Written after vast amounts of research has been carried out. The fact that this was 600 years after Glyndŵr, shows how significant a figure he was. It was the 600th anniversary of Glyndŵr’s death. By this time there were strong views on Welsh identity and people were proud to be Welsh. Edwards a well respected newsreader had also presented historical programmes for BBC Wales. This was 600 years after Glyndŵr so was unreliable. True False Answers Source A Click on the tabs to change to the correct colour.

10. What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? [The Welsh BBC newsreader Huw Edwards commenting after readers of the Daily Post newspaper voted Owain Glyndŵr the greatest North Walian (2010)] Why might this interpretation have been produced? A poll shows the opinion of only those who choose to vote. This was part of a poll Although not a historian, Edward’s has read widely on Welsh history. Edward’s had little knowledge of the period Many English and Welsh historians have written about Glyndwr. Edward’s would have access to writings of many historians In 2007 Edward’s produced a 60 minute programme on Glyndŵr for BBC Wales. Views may have been formed when Edwards produced a documentary on Owain Glyndŵr Click on the statements that you believe to be true. Source A

11. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr ? Glyndŵr, the ‘Welsh prince’ was only distantly related to the Welsh princes. He was in fact English and was a barbarous thug who raped and murdered innocent people, including innocent Welsh people. Do we really need to fly flags for this barbarian? We need to remember him as he was in history and not as some fairytale thought up by Welsh nationalists. Who in their right mind would want their child brought up to look up to such a figure? Family Tree Welsh rebellion What does the writer believe about Owain Glyndŵr? What evidence is used by the writer to support their view? Source B

12. Describe the interpretation. What does the source tell me about the Glyndŵr? Was Glyndŵr Welsh or English? Click to reveal question Was Glyndŵr related to Welsh royalty? Click to reveal question

13. Who was affected by Glyndŵr’s actions? Study the statements below. You now need to decide who would have been affected by the Welsh rebellion. Click on the tabs below to change to the correct colour. Click ? to check answers Soldiers Civilians Both English borough towns and castles were attacked continually. Rebel leaders were caught and executed. These towns were built and settled by the English after Edward’s Conquest . These were continually attacked by both sides. English forces in an effort to put down the rebellion captured rebel leaders who were tried and then hanged. The Battle of MynyddHyddgen, June 1401 The Battle of Pilleth on Bryn Glas Hill in 1402 An Anglo-Flemish force of some 1500 men attacked Owain Glyndŵr and his 500 men on MynyddHyddgen. Glyndŵr escaped. English forces under Edmund Mortimer were defeated in Mid-Wales. Glyndŵr showed himself to be a master tactician. Welsh towns such as Llanrwst were destroyed by English forces. In 1402 Penal Laws were passed against the Welsh. There not many alive in 1998 but their accounts had been recorded by many historians. The Welsh were banned from public office, carrying arms or buying property in English towns. Other rights were also restricted. Civilian = person who is not a soldier

14. Who is the author? What do they do? [Gaynor, an English woman from Llanelli, writing on an internet message board set up to gather public opinion over whether there should be a special Glyndŵr Day in Wales (2008)] What can you learn about the author? A discussion anyone could contribute to it and points made would not have to be supported. English Woman May lead to cultural bias which means interpreting and judging events from an English point of view. Internet message board A discussion anyone could contribute to it and points made would not have to be supported. Meant that the interpretation was not produced by a specialist historian. May lead to cultural bias which means interpreting and judging events from an English point of view. Public opinion Meant that the interpretation was not produced by a specialist historian. Click the tabs to match the terms on the left with an explanation on the right. Answers Source B

15. When was the source written? What might have influenced the author? [Gaynor, a woman from Llanelli, writing on an internet message board set up to gather public opinion over whether there should be a special Glyndŵr Day in Wales (2008)] Why might the date be important? There is little evidence of the actions of Glyndŵr. The writer wants to show a different point of view to people who are Welsh nationalists. The writer might be influenced by the fact that they were English. Written over 600 years after the events so must be less reliable. Part of a message board that only looks for people’s opinions and does not expect historical evidence. The author would have been able to study a huge variety of source material. True False Answers Source B Click on the tabs to change to the correct colour.

16. What evidence may have been looked at and how this might explain how the interpretation was produced? [Gaynor, an English woman from Llanelli, writing on an internet message board set up to gather public opinion over whether there should be a special Glyndŵr Day in Wales (2008)] Why might this interpretation have been produced? Although not a historian, Gaynor does refer to actual facts. Gaynor had little knowledge of the period Many English and Welsh historians have written about Glyndwr. Gaynor would have access to writings of many historians Welsh nationalism means that some people want Wales to be different to England. • Gaynor was concerned about Welsh nationalism During any conflict civilians as well as soldiers are killed. May have looked at how the rebellion affected more than just soldiers. Click on the statements that you believe to be true. Source B