11/09/10 10:44:41AM @rhianne-griffiths: Princess Gwenllian of Deuheubarth stepped onto the stage of history in the mailed coat of a soldier the year that King Henry I of England died. She proved herself to be Wales' most courageous heroine in battle.Her plan to defend her husband Gruffudd ap Rhys ap Tudur's lands while he was absent, was not to succeed. A traitor thwarted her plan and it resulted in a surprise attack. She watched as her young son Maelgwn was slaughtered in an attempt to defend her. Following the capture of herself, her remaining young son Morgan and the Welsh defenders, by the Norman Lord Maurice de Londres, her head was hacked off her body.The legend paints a gallant picture of the feisty princess, sword in hand and hair streaming under her helmet, encouraging her men by her own example and by her exhortations, even as her forces were cut to pieces around her. This song was sung when the warrior princess was a baby in her father's court: Sleep, Gwenllian Sleep, Gwenllian, my heart's delightSleep on throu' shiv'ring spear and brand,An apple rosy red within they haby hand:Thy pillowed cheeks a pair of roses bright,They heart as happy day and night!Mid all our woe, O! vision rare!Sweet little princess cradled there,Thy apple in the hand they all of earthly care.Thy brethren battle with the foe,Thy Sire's red strokes around him sweep,Whilst thou, his bonny babe, art smiling through thy sleep.All Gwalia shudders at the Norman blow!What are the angels whispering lowOf thy father now?Bright babe, asleep upon my knee,How many a Queen of high degreeWould cast away her crown to slumber thus like thee!~ Traditional Welsh Song Content credited to: Dilys Gater from her publication "The Battles of Wales".
Princess Gwenllian of Deuheubarth stepped onto the stage of history in the mailed coat of a soldier the year that King Henry I of England died. She proved herself to be Wales' most courageous heroine in battle.Her plan to defend her husband Gruffudd ap Rhys ap Tudur's lands while he was absent, was not to succeed. A traitor thwarted her plan and it resulted in a surprise attack. She watched as her young son Maelgwn was slaughtered in an attempt to defend her. Following the capture of herself, her remaining young son Morgan and the Welsh defenders, by the Norman Lord Maurice de Londres, her head was hacked off her body.The legend paints a gallant picture of the feisty princess, sword in hand and hair streaming under her helmet, encouraging her men by her own example and by her exhortations, even as her forces were cut to pieces around her. This song was sung when the warrior princess was a baby in her father's court: Sleep, Gwenllian Sleep, Gwenllian, my heart's delightSleep on throu' shiv'ring spear and brand,An apple rosy red within they haby hand:Thy pillowed cheeks a pair of roses bright,They heart as happy day and night!Mid all our woe, O! vision rare!Sweet little princess cradled there,Thy apple in the hand they all of earthly care.Thy brethren battle with the foe,Thy Sire's red strokes around him sweep,Whilst thou, his bonny babe, art smiling through thy sleep.All Gwalia shudders at the Norman blow!What are the angels whispering lowOf thy father now?Bright babe, asleep upon my knee,How many a Queen of high degreeWould cast away her crown to slumber thus like thee!~ Traditional Welsh Song Content credited to: Dilys Gater from her publication "The Battles of Wales".