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The Statute of Rhuddlan was enacted on this day 1284.
After the defeat and deaths of Llywelyn and Dafydd ap Grufydd, Edward I, had all but conquered Wales militarily and consolidated his position by completing his castle-building program, with Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech, Beaumaris, Flint and Rhuddlan forming a defensive ring. Boroughs were created around these castles and English traders invited to settle. The Welsh, however, were forbidden to inhabit the boroughs, or to carry arms within their walls.
Edward then turned his attention to dominating Wales politically and gradually sought to undermine the Welsh legal systems, part of this process was the enactment of The Statute of Rhuddlan, which created laws regarding debt, inquests, pleas, trials, and juries, all in accordance with English common law and administered by Sheriffs. The statute established the counties of Anglesey, Caernarfonshire and Merionethshire, to be governed by the Justice of North Wales, Flintshire to be governed by the Justice of Chester and Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire governed by the Justice of South Wales. The rest of Wales came under the governance of the Marcher Lords as their reward for their part in defeating Llywelyn and became more or less quasi-independent. Another significant aspect of the statute involved the Welsh system of dividing property among all male heirs, this was allowed to continue, to prevent the building up of large Welsh-owned landed estates, but illegitimate sons were not permitted to inherit, however if there was no male heir the inheritance could pass to females. Also, females had the right to a dowry for the first time in Wales.
Throughout the 14th century, the draconian English rule eased as the Welsh adapted to English domination, with many native Welsh, especially on the Marches, holding positions of importance and many Welsh mercenaries, with their legendary skill with the longbow, finding employment in the campaigns in France. Yet under the surface, all was not what it seemed, resentment of the English regime was deep rooted and was to resurface on the death of Edward III and the arrival of Owain Glyndwr.
On this day 1927, J.G.Parry Thomas died attempting to break the Land Speed Record.
John Godfrey Parry-Thomas was born in Wrexham in April 1884, the son of a vicar. From an early age, he was fascinated with engineering and studied electrical engineering and by 1908 he had designed an infinite ratio electrical transmission (now viewed to be 70 years ahead of it’s time) which was used in London buses and railcars. Parry-Thomas was also much in demand on government advisory boards during WWI and later became the chief Engineer at Leyland Motors and designed the Leyland Eight luxury motor car, owners of which included the Maharajah of Patiala and Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader.
Thomas then decided to become a professional racing driver and by 1925 had switched his attention to the Land Speed Record, which the following year he broke, driving his car "Babs" at 170mph on Pendine Sands. However his great rival Malcolm Campbell soon regained it, so on 3rd March 1927, Thomas arrived back in Pendine, unwell with flu in an attempt to re-take the record, but during the attempt, the car skidded, rolled over, slid along the beach and burst into flames.
Thomas was killed and Babs was buried in the beach. However in 1969 Babs was dug up and restored by Owen Wyn-Owen an engineering lecturer from Bangor Technical Collage and is now on display at the Pendine Museum of Speed.
Born this day 1863, in Caerleon.
Arthur Machen, author and mystic, who is best known for his supernatural fantasy "The Great God Pan", which was described by Stephen King as "Maybe the best horror story in the English language"
In a referendum held on 3rd March 2011, the people of Wales voted in favor of extending the law-making powers of the National Assembly for Wales.
BORN THIS DAY - J.P.R. WILLIAMS
Born this day 1949, in Bridgend - John Peter Rhys "J.P.R." Williams
Orthopaedic surgeon and former Wales and Lions rugby international. "JPR" was an iconic figure of the legendary 1970s Wales team, with his trademark long sideburns and socks around his ankles.
'GREAT LODE' DISCOVERED ON PARYS MOUNTAIN
On 2nd March 1768, Rowland Hughes discovered the 'Great Lode' of copper on. Parys Mountain, Ynys Mon (Anglesey). He was rewarded with a bottle of whisky and a rent-free house for life.
The mountain had been mined for copper ore in the early Bronze Age nearly 4,000 years ago and later by the Romans. However, following its rediscovery it became Europe's largest copper mine during the 1780s, with the copper notably being used by the admiralty to protect the bottom of wooden ships of war from barnacles and wood worms as well as increasing their speed and manoeuvrability.
BORN THIS DAY - IAN HAROLD WOOSNAM
Born on this day 1958 in Oswestry
Ian Harold Woosnam - the only Welshman to have ever won a "Major" golfing championship and who with David Llewellyn in 1987, won the men's World Cup for Wales. He was also a member of eight consecutive European Ryder Cup teams from 1983 to 1997 and captain for the 2006 Ryder Cup, leading Europe to victory over the U.S.
Woosnam began playing at Llanymynech Golf Club, which interestingly, straddles the Wales-England border and in September 2010 was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame.
WILLIAM PARRY EXECUTED
On 2nd March 1585, spy and double agent William Parry was executed on the discovery of his plot to kill Queen Elizabeth I (The Parry Plot)
Parry from Northrop, Flintshire, left for London to seek his fortune. Shortly after entering the Queen's service, he found himself in financial difficulties and had had to rely on a royal pardon to escape a death sentence for assaulting one of his creditors.
Parry then received a commission from Lord Burghley to spy on Catholics in Europe, but soon became a double agent for both Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots. So when he was heard to boast that he would assassinate Elizabeth if he had the opportunity, it was not known whether he was acting on behalf of Mary, with a papal blessing or whether he was just trying to infiltrate papist circles. However when Elizabeth was informed of the plot, Parry was arrested for treason and hanged at Westminster.
Lewis Morris (2 March 1701 – 11 April 1765) whose bardic name was Llewelyn Ddu o Fôn ("Black Llewelyn of Anglesey"), was a hydrographer, antiquary, poet and lexicographer. He was the eldest of the well known Morris brothers of Anglesey and considered by many in the mid 18th century to be the leading authority on the Welsh language.
The correspondence between Lewis and his younger brothers is a valuable historical source and in 1751, along with his brother Richard, he founded the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, the London-based Welsh social, cultural, literary and philanthropic institution. However, he is best known for his surveys of the Welsh Coast.
Born this day 1968, in Chester
Daniel Craig actor, of Welsh descent who is best known for playing British secret agent James Bond.
Born this day 1822, in Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd
Michael.D. Jones. Congregationalist minister, principal of Bala Congregational College and a founder of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia known as Y Wladfa.
Jones's idea of a Welsh speaking colony or "little Wales beyond Wales", had come to him after he had spent some years in the United States, where he observed that Welsh speaking immigrants assimilated very quickly, often losing much of their Welsh identity. Jones recruited settlers and chose Patagonia for the settlement because of its isolation and Argentina's offer of 100 square miles of land along the Chubut River. Other countries that had been considered were Australia, New Zealand and Palestine.
On 2nd March 1918 Arthur James Cook (A.J. Cook), a prominent trade union leader in South Wales, was arrested and charged with sedition under the Defence of the Realm Act. Cook is remembered as one of the United Kingdom's best known miners’ leaders during the General Strike of 1926.
THE LIFE OF ST DAVID
There are no definite dates for David, but he is thought to have been born c.487 and died 1st March in 589.
David's mother was Non, a nun at Ty Gwyn (Whitesands Bay). It is said she was raped by Prince Sandde of Ceredigion and went into hiding, giving birth to David at Caerfai, on the coast just south of Mynyw (St. Davids), in the middle of a violent storm. Non named her son, Dewidd, but he was commonly called Dewi. David is an English version taken from the Latin, Davidus. It is reported that even from the womb David performed miracles, as during her pregnancy Non entered a certain church to listen the preaching of the local priest, who was immediately struck dumb, unable to continue whilst in David's presence.
He was raised in Non's convent during his early childhood and by all accounts Non nurtured David carefully in the Christian faith and many of his fine qualities of character are attributed to her early influence. He began his education in a monastery called Hen Fynyw (nr Aberaeron) and then studied under the monk St. Paulinus (the disciple of St. Germanus of Auxerre) probably at Whitland, where he was a star pupil and even cured Paulinus of his blindness. He is later said to have studied under St Illtud at Llanilltud Fawr.
David was soon ordained a priest and began to travel the country, evangelising as he went, also founding 12 monasteries and more than 50 churches from Pembrokeshire to Herefordshire. He is reported as visiting the court of King Peibio Clafrog of Ergyng also curing him of blindness. It is claimed that David ate only bread and herbs and drank only water, which resulted in him being known as Dewi Dyfyrwr (David the Waterman). However, in spite of his extreme ascetic lifestyle and meager diet we are told that he was of a lovable and happy disposition, tall and physically strong.
David then undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Saints Teilo and Padarn, where they are said to have been consecrated bishops. On his return he founded the monastery of Mynyw (St. Davids), which became known as centre of learning, attracting many pupils from many different areas and from many walks of life, for example, King Constantine of Cornwall became a monk at Mynyw, as did St. Aeddan from Ireland, who later founded the monastery of Ferns. David's order at Mynyw was known for the extreme asceticism of its rule, reputedly based on that of Egyptian monks. The Rule was strict: the brothers ate only one meal a day of bread with vegetables and salt, and they drank only water. They were a silent order and their days were filled with prayer and hard manual labour and no plough was permitted to work the fields, they also kept bees and practiced a ministry of hospitality, caring for many pilgrims and travellers who needed lodgings. David followed an even more rigorous discipline than his brother monks, as long after vespers, when others had retired to bed, he would often pray alone all through the night.
Saint David and the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi;
Upon his return to Wales, in 545, David attended the Synod of Llanddewi Brefi, which is perhaps the most well-known event in David's life. Originally synods were meetings of bishops, for the purpose of church administration in the areas of teaching (faith and morals) or governance (church discipline or law), it is thought the Synod of Brefi which was held at Llanddewi Brefi in Ceredigion was called in order to condemn Pelagianism. The synod was reportedly attended by a thousand members and David had initially not intended to attend but Dyfrig Bishop of Ergyng (and said to be Archbishop of Wales), on the advice of St Paulinus persuaded him. When Dyfrig addressed the crowd, so intense was their excitement, that his voice could hardly be heard, so he called on David to speak in his place and when David stood up to speak, according to legend "the ground rose up until everyone could see and hear David, and a white dove settled upon his shoulder". It is said that Dyfrig was so impressed in the eloquent way in which David spoke, that he resigned his Archbishopric in Davids Favour. A second synod, at which David presided was the Synod of Victory, which was summoned in 569 and supposedly defeated the Pelagian heresy in Britain.
David is buried on the grounds of his monastery in Pembrokeshire where the Cathedral of St. David now stands.
EMBLEMS OF WALES
The leek and the daffodil.
According to legend, St David advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets to identify themselves during a successful battle against the Saxons in a field full of leeks.
There is a 16th Century reference to the emblem of Wales being the leek in Mary Tudor's account book and Shakespeare refers to Fluellen as being a good countryman of Wales by wearing a leek.
The Myfddfai Physicians of Carmarthenshire used leeks as a cure for a variety of illnesses and over the years it has been for a variety of uses such as a treatment for battle wounds, a means of keeping away evil spirits and if placed under a pillow by young maidens, as a means of foretelling their future husbands as well as assisting in easing the pains of childbirth.
Welsh soldiers wear a leek in their caps and there is a tradition for the youngest recruit of the Welsh Guards to eat a large raw leek.
The leek is often substituted with the daffodil, probably as a result of the similarity of their names in Welsh, as the Welsh for leek is Cenhinen, while the Welsh for daffodil is Cenhinen Bedr and hence, the daffodil has become adopted as the second emblem of Wales.
ST DAVID'S DAY - DYDD GWYL DEWI
Welsh people celebrate the life of St David on March 1st by wearing a daffodil or leek and preparing traditional Welsh dishes such as cawl and Welsh cakes. Many children also wear traditional costumes to school. There are church services and the national flag, is displayed prominently.
St David's Day is not a public holiday, but some communities hold parades, and in recent years there has been a St David's Day Parade in Cardiff.
DEATH OF GRUFFUDD AP LLYWELYN FAWR
On 1st March 1244, Gruffudd ap Llywelyn Fawr ( the father of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd) died in an escape attempt from the Tower of London. Dafydd ap Llywelyn wages war in the Marches against Henry III
Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1198 – 1 March 1244) was the first-born son of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great). His mother Tangwystl probably died in childbirth.
1201 - As a boy, Gruffydd was handed over to King John of England as a hostage together with the sons of a great number of other Welsh princes, as a pledge for a treaty between John and Llywelyn, in which Llywelyn was confirmed as Prince of Gwynedd in return for Llywelyn swearing fealty and doing homage to John. (this is the earliest surviving written agreement between an English king and a Welsh ruler.
1212 - The other children were hanged but Gruffydd was spared and in 1215 he was finally allowed to return to Wales.
1240 - On Llywelyn's death, Gruffydd would under Welsh law have been entitled to consideration as his father's successor. Llywelyn, however, had excluded him from the succession, declaring Dafydd, his son by Joan (daughter of King John), to be the heir to the kingdom. Gruffydd objected and set about undermining Dafydd’s rule. Dafydd retaliated by imprisoning Gruffydd in Criccieth Castle.
1241 - Following a successful invasion of Wales by Henry III of England in 1241, Dafydd was obliged to hand over Gruffydd to Henry, as a bargaining tool for Dafydd's obedience. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
1244 - Gruffydd died while trying to escape when the rope he was using to scale down from his window broke.
ST DAVID'S SOCIETY FOUNDED BY WELSH IMMIGRANTS IN PHILADELPHIA
On 1st March 1729, Welsh immigrants established the St. David's Society of Philadelphia.
The society was set up initially to assist many of Philadelphia's early Welsh settlers with medical and financial help. Today however it supports activities aimed at promoting Welsh heritage and culture. It annually presents the Robert Morris Award to a distinguished Welsh-American and also awards scholarships to students of Welsh descent entering further education.
LLANDOVERY COLLEGE OPENS IN 1848
Llandovery College first opened on 1st March 1848.
The College was founded by surgeon Thomas Phillips, initially as a boys only school, to cultivate the education of the Welsh language, Welsh literature and history, girls were first admitted in the 1960s. Llandovery was chosen as its location because of its accessibility from all parts of South Wales and its absence of manufacturing industries.
Llandovery is also known for its sporting tradition and, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in Neath in 1881. The college provided two players in the very first Welsh international team and its second captain in Charles Lewis. Other former pupils who have represented Wales at rugby include Alun Wyn Jones, Cliff Jones, George North, Andy Powell and Craig Quinnell.
CARDIFF BECOMES WORLDS FIRST FAIRTRADE CAPITAL CITY
On 1st March 2004, Cardiff became the world's first FairTrade capital city, with many of its organisations and businesses, committing to purchase FairTrade stamped goods.
FairTrade's aim is to promote sustainability in Third World countries, by helping their producers achieve better trading conditions.
BORN THIS DAY - JOHN THOMAS
Born this day 1826, in Bridgend
John Thomas, composer and harpist, who at the 1861 National Eisteddfod in Aberdare was given the title ‘Pencerdd Gwalia’ (Chief Musician of Wales).
Thomas was a professor at the Royal College of Music and also the harpist of Queen Victoria. He wrote many pieces that are still popular today and used in exam syllabuses.
BORN THIS DAY - DAVID BROOME
Born this day 1940, in Cardiff
David Broome - former World Champion showjumper.
David Broome won three European championships, two individual Olympic bronze medals and was individual World champion in 1970. He has also won the King George V Gold Cup a record six times on six different horses, a record yet to be equalled.
BORN THIS DAY - STANLEY BAKER
Born this day 1928, in Ferndale, Rhondda
Sir Stanley Baker , actor and film producer, best known for his roles in "Zulu" and "The Guns of Navarone". Baker was a close friend of both Richard Burton and Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, as off screen Baker, was a dedicated socialist.
BORN THIS DAY - GLYN JONES
Born this day 1905, in Merthyr.
Glyn Jones - poet, short-story writer, novelist, translator, and critic.
Glyn jones was among the most versatile and distinguished of those who contributed to the emergence of an anglo- welsh literature in the 1930s, which, although written in english, was specifically welsh in style and subject-matter. he is particularly known for his book The Dragon Has Two Tongues in which he discusses the religious, political, and educational forces shaping South Wales in the years between the two world wars.
BORN THIS DAY - CHARLIE NEWMAN
Born on this day 1857 in Newport Charlie Newman - former wales rugby captain.
Newman played in Wales' very first international, against England in 1881. After retiring from rugby he became an Anglican clergyman, interestingly, as did James Bevan and Edward Peake, who played alongside Newman in the first Welsh international.
BORN THIS DAY - JOHN ALBERT GWILLIAM
Born on this day 1923 in Pontypridd.
John Albert Gwilliam - former Wales rugby international, who captained the side to Grand Slams in 1950 and 1952. He was described "as physically imposing, quietly spoken, religious and austere.
During World War II, Gwilliam was commissioned as an officer in the Royal Tank Regiment and saw action in Europe. After the war he became a schoolmaster and eventually as headmaster of Birkenhead School from 1963–1988, where he is remembered for his disciplinary standards and his religious views.
BORN THIS DAY - KATY WIX
Born on this day 1980 in Cardiff.
Katy Wix - actress who has appeared in the television series "Not Going Out", "Miranda" and "Torchwood".
BORN THIS DAY - IORWERTH PEATE
Born this day 1901, in Llanbrynmair, nr Machynlleth
Iorwerth Peate , who was a poet and scholar, best known as the founder of St Fagans National Folk Museum. Inspired by the open-air museums of Scandinavia, Peate aspired to create an open-air museum in Wales, where the visitor could view the way of life of past ages.
BORN THIS DAY - CHARLIE FAULKNER
Born this day 1941, in Newport, Monmouthshire
Charlie Faulkner, Welsh rugby international, who was part of the legendary Pontypool front row, making his international debut at the age of 34.
BORN THIS DAY - GARETH LLEWELLYN
Born this day 1969, in Cardiff
Gareth Llewellyn , former Wales rugby international and captain, who won 92 caps.
BORN THIS DAY - JOSEPH JENKINS
Born on this day 1818 at Blaenplwyf farm near Ystrad Aeron, Ceredigion.
Joseph Jenkins who famously emigrated to Australia because of a nagging wife and was reputedly 'The Jolly Swagman' of the popular song “Waltzing Matilda”
Jenkins ( 1818 – 1898) was a farmer who also won prizes at Eisteddfodau for his poetry. When he was 51, Joseph emigrated to Australia, leaving behind his wife and family and initially became a Swagman, travelling from farm to farm to find work. He later worked as a street cleaner in the town of Maldon in Victoria, returning to Wales when he became homesick at the age of 76. During his time in Australia, Jenkins kept a diary and he posthumously became famous after they were published as the Diary of a Welsh Swagman.
On 27th February 1994 a water drinking fountain and plaque were unveiled at the railway station in Maldon, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his departure from the town.
NIMROD WRECKED OFF ST DAVID'S HEAD
On 27th February 1860 all 45 people on board the paddle steamer Nimrod drowned, when it was is wrecked off St David's Head.
The Nimrod, which was operating as a cargo and passenger service between Liverpool and Cork suffered engine failure and was heading for Milford Haven under sail, when she was spotted by the Captain of another steamer called, the City of Paris, who offered to tow her to Milford Haven for £1,000. Captain Lyall of the Nimrod refused as the weather seemed moderate, but after the two steamers parted, the wind increased to hurricane force and shreaded her sails into tatters.
Captain Lyall lowered both anchors, but the chains of both broke, causing the Nimrod to smash into Porth Llong cliffs, near St. David’s Head and break into pieces.
BORN THIS DAY - JAMES DICKSON INNES
Born on this day 1887 in Llanelli.
James Dickson Innes - gifted and original painter, mostly of mountain landscapes.
Innes was educated at Christ College, Brecon, the Carmarthen School of Art and the Slade School of Art in London.
He painted the Arenig Fawr area of Snowdonia with Augustus John, before being diagnosed with tuberculosis and prescribed foreign travel, resulted in him visiting and painting in France, Spain and Morocco. Innes eventually succumbed to the disease in 1914, at the age of only twenty-seven.
ROWAN WIILLIAMS ENTHRONED AS ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
On 27th February 2003, Rowan Williams was enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury.
The first Welsh Morman emigration was on the "Buena Vista" which left from Liverpool and was organised by Captain Dan Jones, originally from Halkyn, Flintshire, who had emigrated to the United States in 1840 and found work as a ship's captain on the Mississippi River.
After first arriving in America, Jones came into contact with the Mormons and was soon converted, becoming a leader within the community. Notably, he was with the Morman's founder Joseph Smith just before he died, when he was told by Smith that he would return to Wales to fulfill an appointed mission.
Subsequently, Jones was asked by the New Mormon leader, Brigham Young to return to his native country as a missionary of the church. At this time, there were only approximately 200 Mormon's in Wales, but under Jones's leadership, 3,600 new converts were baptized between 1845 and 1848 and then in 1849 he organised the first emmigration. He came back again to Wales in 1852 and converted a further 2000, most of whom also emigrated to Utah with Jones.
Mormons are a religious and cultural group, commonly called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints, who trace their origins to the visions of Joseph Smith in New York in 1823. Smith said an angel directed him to a buried book written on golden plates referring to the religion of an ancient people. Smith published a translation of these plates in 1830 as the Book of Mormon, named after Mormon, the ancient prophet-historian who had compiled the book.
Smith and the original Mormon converts, tried to establish what they call Zion ( or the New Jerusalem ) , a utopian society of the righteous and made several unsuccessful attempts to settle as a community, resulting in Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum being killed by a mob in Carthage, Illinois.
This resulted in their new leader, Brigham Young, leading the Mormon pioneers to what became the Utah Territory in 1847, where they began to construct a society in isolation in a large desert region now known as the Mormon Corridor. From 1849–52, the Mormons greatly expanded their missionary efforts into Europe, which resulted in over seventy thousand new converts emigrating from all over the world to America.
Born this day 1977 in Morriston, raised in Glanaman
Shane Williams - Welsh and Lions rugby international
Williams is the record try scorer for Wales and was IRB International Player of the Year in 2008, renowned for his side step and acceleration.
On this day 1942, the film How Green Was My Valley, directed by John Ford and based on a novel by Richard Llewelyn, won 5 Oscars including Best Picture. The film follows the lives of a hard working Welsh coal mining family at the turn of the twentieth century.
Born this day 1916, in Swansea.
Lady Joan Curran , a scientist who along her husband, Sir Samuel Curran, played an important role in the defence of the allied forces in World War II.
Joan devised a technique, later to be known as "Window" or"Chaff"' by cutting up strips of tinfoil which would be scattered in the path of enemy planes, thus disrupting their radar. Perhaps Window's most spectacular success was when it was dropped with great precision by Lancasters to synthesise a phantom invasion force of ships which kept the Germans unsure of whether the brunt of the Allied assault would fall on Normandy or in the Pas de Calais.
On Monday, 26th February 1990, the sea wall at Towyn was breached due to a combination of high tides and extreme weather, resulting in flood damage to 2,800 homes, and the evacuation of over 2,000 people.
The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26th February 1915.
Rhys Maengwyn Jones - Welsh-Australian archeologist
After graduating from Cambridge, in 1963 Jones initially took up a teaching position at the University of Sydney, where he also completed his Ph.D. on Tasmanian Aboriginal archaeology, before moving to the Australian National University in Canberra.
Jones is recognised as being was a key figure in dating the migration of Indigenous Australians from Africa to Asia around 70,000 years ago and then their arrival in Australia around 50,000 years ago. In his memory, the Australian Archaeological Association awards the prestigious Rhys Jones Medal annually.
DAFYDD AP LLYWELYN
On 25th February 1246, Dafydd ap Llywelyn 'tarian Cymru' - the shield of Wales, died.
1212 - Dafydd was born , the son of Llywelyn Fawr and Joan, daughter of King John of England, shortly after Easter, at Castell Hen Blas, Coleshill, Bagillt in Flintshire,
1220 - Llywelyn Fawr broke with traditions (which stated that a man's property passed to all his sons equally) and named Dafydd as his sole heir, which had the support of King Henry III of England, but alienated Dafydd's illegitimate half brother Grufydd.
1228 - While fighting in Ceri nr Newtown Dafydd and Llywelyn Fawr captured the Marcher Lord Will de Braose, of the de Braose who fought with William the Conqueror and subsequently aquired lands in Brecknock, Radnor, Abergavenny and Buellt. During the ransom negotiations, it was agreed that Dafydd would be betrothed to de Braose's daughter, Isabella,
1230 - Dafydd and Isabella married and as part of the marriage agreement Dafydd received Buellt (Builth) Castle.
1240 - Llywelyn Fawr died and Dafydd became Prince Of Gwynedd, but the political scene was changing, Llywelyn Fawr had always accepted oaths of homage from the other Welsh princes, however, King Henry III of England would only allow them to swear the lesser oath of fealty to Dafydd.
1240 - Gruffydd, moved to stake his claim to Gwynedd and his eldest son Owain Goch, led an army against Dafydd as civil war broke out
September 1240 - The Church arranged for Dafydd, Gruffydd and Owain Goch to meet to discuss terms to end the war, however Dafydd broke the truce, capturing and imprisoning Gruffyd and Owain at Criccieth Castle, as the capture had taken place under the church's protection, Dafydd was excommunicated.
August 1241 King Henry III, with the support of Gruffydd's wife, Senena and their supporters, invaded Gwynedd. Invading forces were usually hampered by the great marsh at Rhuddlan, but that summer was very dry and the English had no trouble crossing the marsh. Dafydd was forced to retreat into Snowdonia, destroying Deganwy Castle to prevent it falling into English hands. After a short campaign, Dafydd was forced to submit.
August 29, 1241 - Dafydd obliged to sign the terms of surrender, the "Treaty of Gwerneigron", which included the handing over of Mold Castle, Lower Powys, Meirionydd, Buellt Castle & Ellesmere. He also had to release Gruffydd and Owain into Henry's custody, who imprisioned them in The Tower Of London, using the threat if their release as a means of forcing Dafydd to keep the terms of the treaty.
March 1st, 1244 Gruffydd fell to his death while trying to escape from The Tower Of London, which allowed Dafydd to enter into an alliance with other Welsh princes including Gruffydd's son Llywelyn, to attack English possessions in Wales and regain lost lands. Dafydd also began diplomacy with Pope Innocent IV, the result of which was the lifting of his excommunication and a recognition by the Vatican of his right to rule over North Wales and he was for a time recognised as Prince of Wales.
1245 - The Pope however soon needed England's support in his dispute with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick, and withdrew his protection from Wales. Henry reacted by sending an army to invade Gwynedd, but he couldn't cross the river Conwy and in October, with their supply lines being ambushed by the Welsh, the English withdraw.
February 25, 1246 - Dafydd died suddenly in the royal home at Abergwyngregyn and was buried with his father at the abbey of Aberconwy, he was succeeded by his nephew, Gruffydd's son, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd.
RESURGUM SINKS OFF RHYL
On this day 1880 the Resurgum, a mechanically powered submarine sank off Rhyl.
Resurgam ( "I shall rise again") is the name given to two early Victorian submarines, which were constructed from iron plates fastened to iron frames, with a central wooden section and powered by a steam engine.
After successful trials, it was planned that Resurgam II should make her way from Birkenhead to Portsmouth for a demonstration to the Royal Navy. However, during the voyage, it developed mechanical problems and was forced to dock at Rhyl. On completion of the repairs, the Resurgum was being towed out of Rhyl harbour, when the towing ship developed engine problems, so the crew of the Resurgum transferred to assist, but the entry hatch on the Resurgum could not be fastened from outside and the submarine began to ship water, eventually causing it to sink.
There is a replica of the Resurgam on display close to the Woodside terminal of the Mersey Ferry in Liverpool.
BORN THIS DAY - MIKE PETERS
Born on this day 1959 in Prestatyn
Mike Peters - musician, best known as the lead singer of The Alarm and Big Country.
As a survivor of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Peters co-founded the Love Hope Strength Foundation (a charity that raises funds and awareness for people with cancer and leukaemia).
BARON WOGAN PHILLIPS OF LLANSTEPHAN
Born this day 1902 Wogan Phillips 2nd Baron Milford - the only communist to sit in the House of Lords
Phillips was born at Manor House, High Street, Brentwood, Essex. His father had estates in Llanstephan in Radnorshire, which Philips regularly visited as a child. He read history at Oxford for two years until his father decided that this was an unprofitable use of time, as Phillips, even though tall and handsome, was not known as a clever man.
For the next few years, Philipps toured around Wales with Augustus John and also travelled to Normandy, the Adriatic, Greece and Spain. Then, like many other upper class people, Philips worked during the General Strike of 1926 but was made to reconsider his politics by London dockworkers who persuaded him that their cause was just
Throughout the early 1930s, Phillip's politics became more radical and he volunteered to assist Spanish Medical Aid during the Spanish Civil War during which he was wounded. On his return, he joined the Communist Party, at which his father disinherited him, but when his father died in 1962, Philips became the 2nd Lord Milford and subsequently took his seat in the House of Lords, becoming its first communist member.
'THE PROUD VALLEY - RADIO PREMIERE
On 25th February 1940, "The Proud Valley" became the first film to have its première on radio, when the BBC broadcasted a 60-minute version.
The film starring Paul Robeson was filmed on location in the South Wales coalfield and tells the story of David Goliath, a Black American miner who arrives in Wales in 1938 in the aftermath of the 1926 general strike and the Great Depression and wins the respect of the local Welsh people through his singing. He becomes a hero and sacrifices his own life to save fellow miners in an underground accident. Robeson later remarked that, of all his films, this was his favourite.
EXPLOSION AT PENTRE COLLIERY
On 24th February 1871 an explosion at Pentre Colliery, Ton Pentre, killed 39 men and nine horses.
The probable cause of the explosion was "Firedamp" which is a flammable gas, usually methane, found naturally in coal mines.
BORN THIS DAY - ALFRED LEWIS JONES
Born this day 1845 in Carmarthen
Sir Alfred Lewis Jones At an early age his family moved to Liverpool, he commenced his career as a ships apprentice and soon owned his own shipping business. He later became one of the leading figures in the shipping firm of Elder Dempster, through whose contacts he acquired considerable territorial and financial interests in West Africa, being dubbed the "Uncrowned King of West Africa". He also developed the tourist trade and the banana industry of the Canary Islands and was President of the British Cotton Growing Association. He was knighted in 1901.
CHEPSTOW RAILWAY BRIDGE OPENS IN 1852
On 24th February 1852, The Times reported that Robert Stephenson had approved Isambard Kingdom Brunel's design for the railway bridge at Chepstow.
Chepstow Railway Bridge was used for the first time on 19 July 1852, which allowed the Great Western Railway to open its London to Swansea line. It is considered as one of Brunel's major achievements, because the span of 300 feet needed to be self supporting, as the Monmouthshire side is low-lying sedimentary deposit subject to regular flooding and the height requirement of 84 feet above high water imposed by the Abmiralty ruled out an arched bridge.
Brunel therefore designed the bridge to be suspended by chains from two cast iron tubes, 9 feet in diameter. The new railway line and bridge reduced the travelling time between London and Swansea from 15 hours, by rail, road and ferry, to 5 hours by rail.
