After
the Norman Conquest a beautiful princess from the House of Gwynedd was
married to Gruffydd, son of the soil and natural heir to South Wales.
The
Welshman's power was threatened by the Norman lord of Kidwelly Castle, so
Gruffydd went north with his eldest son to raise support. His wife, Gwenllian,
and their two youngest sons remained at home in the Tywi Valley.
One
day a messenger arrived: ships had been seen near the coast of Glamorgan.
Soon English soldiers were marching across country to join their French
allies at Kidwelly.
There
was no time to call back her husband, no time for advice, no time to lose.
The princess donned a light coat of mail, put a helmet on over her long
hair, and reached for a shield and sword.
Then,
riding a Scottish pony, Gwenllian led out her sons and a small army into
the path of the English troops.
On
a high bank above the river Gwendraeth Kidwelly Castle overlooked the
flat sea marshes. Creeping beneath its round towers, the Welshmen stole
upriver and camped under the protecting brow of Mynydd y Garreg.
Gwenllian
sent half the party ahead to intercept the enemy whilst the rest stayed
with her, silent and hidden.
For one day they waited and nothing happened. Another day passed, and all
was still.
Unknown
to the princess a Welshman, traitor to his country, had met with the English
force and led them along secret paths to the top of the hill.
In
one mad moment they swept down from above onto the idle Welsh below. At
the same time the castle gates opened: Maurice de Londres, the Norman Lord,
dashed out on horseback, followed by his well-armed men.
There
was no hope for Gwenllian, though around her all fought couragously. One
son, Maelgwyn, was killed fighting to defend her, and many others were quickly
slain.
Before
long the princess and those of her men who survived were taken captive.
She was wounded and helpless but even so de Londres had no pity. In front
of the cheering Frenchmen her remaining son, Morgan, was held back as his
mother was beheaded.
For
many years afterwards the headless ghost of the princess could be seen,
walking in the field of battle which still has her name today. And in the
legends of Wales the memory of Gwenllian, a brave and beautiful lady, lives
on.
