Owen Glendower

Owen Glendower was born

1359

Owen was born around this date, but no one knows for sure when he was born. He was born on the between England and Wales, he was apart of the Anglo-Welsh gentry.

Owen's father dies

1370

Around this time Owen's father dies, leaving him to be possibly fostered with David Hanmer. He is thought to have been sent to England to study law at the Inns of court.

Owen Glendower returns to Wales

1383

Owen returns to Wales, where he marries David Hanmer's daughter Margret. He also establishes himself as squire of Sycharth and Glyndyfrdwy.

Glendower is sent to battle

1385

Owen is sent to Scotland by King Richard II, where he fights many battles and becomes one of the king's greatest men.

He returns from battle

1390

Owen returns to Wales from battle, only to find the economy crippled. This is the point where Owen starts thinking about an upraising against the king.

Serious disorder broke out

1400

Leading several small skirmishes between Owen and the King's men (and the attempt to hang Owen), serious civil disorder broke out. Much of northern and central Wales was involved.

Mynydd was captured, and the Penal laws where issued

1402

After several small battles Mynydd was captured, and the parliament issued the Penal Laws against Wales, as they tried to gain dominance over Wales. Owen also captures Sir Edmund Mortimer at the battle of Bryn Glas.

The revolt goes national in Wales

1403

Hundreds of Welshmen leave the English forces and schools to help Owen conquer Wales.

Glendower is crowned Prince of Wales

1404

Owen is crowned Prince of Wales, and he states what he plans to establish a government within Wales when he wins freedom.

England starts to gain portions of Wales back

1405

Prince Henry started to take back portions of Wales by cutting off trade and the supply of weapons.

Owen has control over most of Wales

1408

Owen has control over most of Wales, and is well on his way to being crowned King of England. The English start gaining control back of Wales.

Owen's last successful raiding party

1412

Owen lead one of the last successful raiding parties, this was also the last time Owen was seen alive by his enemies.

Owen disappears

1412

Nothing is known of Owen after 1412. Despite massive rewards and pardons being offered Owen is neither betrayed or captured. No one knows where he was buried. Many believe that if Wales was ever in danger again Owen would appear to save the day.

1415-Current day

1415

To this day Owen Glendower (or Owain Glyndŵr) is thought to be a major hero in Wales' history. September 16th is the anniversary of the proclamation in 1400, of Owain Glyndŵr as Prince of Wales and is now celebrated annually as Owain Glyndŵr Day. In more recent times, the 16th September has become an unofficial holiday in Wales. It celebrates a national hero of Wales who was the last Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales. Many considered him an unofficial king of Wales.