Tuesday 1 January 2008

URDD BRENHINOL CYMRU: An Introduction.

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An Ysbryd Cofiwn Initiative.
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Urdd Brenhinol Cymru, the title of this blog may be slightly misleading but it is not my intention to mislead by so using this title, my intention is to be patrioticaly provocutive. Add to this a touch of irony in so far that Y Cymry whom had a 1000 year of native aristocratic tradition were then so swift to accept following the 1282 conquest, the sovereignty of the English Monarchy in particular the acceptance of English Princes of Wales. Even though the story of Edward I presenting his recently born first Son to the people of Gwynedd from the battlements of Caernarfon Castle being no more than a big ''English Lie'', it is nevertheless one the Welsh are happy to welcome as one of their ''National Myths''. No more better proved than in their overwhelming support for the actual first Caernarfon Castle Investiture of 1911 (100th Anniversary 2011) and again in 1969 but then there was a major protest against another English Prince of Wales. Wales despite being seen as a ''Radical'', ''Socialist'' and now but stretching it a bit, a ''Nationalist'' country it as a population which appears to be overwhelmingly ''Royalist'' but perhaps sadly that means supporting the ENGLISH MONARCHY.
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Perhaps even more ironically, despite Welsh Nationalism, including my much dwelled on ''Alternative Nationalism'' largelly proclaiming itself as ''Republican'', many of these ''Republicans'' have an huge interest and fascination, if not love for the Princes of Medieval Wales and more likely to be seen attending commemorations so connected rather than those that might have ''Welsh Radical'', if not ''Welsh Republican'' connection. I include myself here, I am without doubt more of Republican Socialist mind, approaching in present times even an Anarchist/Autonomist view, every time I think of that Sham Senedd in Bae Caerdydd. However, I do not run around as many spouting a rather facile ''Welsh Republicanism'' that poses and postures itself annually around the Cilmeri Cenotaph but when back in Tafarn Llywelyn following a few pints, proclaiming ''Death to Kings and Princes''. There are many Welsh Nationalists/Republicans who hold one set of Political views but at same time like myself have a great interest in our history, not least our Medieval history. The difference is however, that many of these so called and self style ''Welsh Republicans'' never seem to have much interest in Welsh Radical, if not Republican History, Historic Sites or even attempt to hold commemorations that would be more appropriate to their, I must presume sincere political principles?
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How could we as Welsh Nationalists/Republicans even ignore this period of our history which makes of us what we are, Patriots of course. Yet, there are Patriots and Patriots, sadly our country is blighted by a West Briton Patriotism of the ''Cambrian Contradiction'' (see http://cofcenedl.blogspot.com/) whom would rather forget Pre 1282 History and by pass Owain Glyndwr to then draw their Patriotic position from 1485 and all that. Yes! the Tudors, need I say more? Whatever, whilst this section of our native society as from 1536 may be seen as our ''Cymric Carlo-ists'' (see Basques and Carlism, link at end of this post) and are an Anglo - Welsh Monarchists majority in Wales. At the same time, I doubt if there are any true ''Welsh Monarchists'' who believe in, and would support the restoration of a Native Welsh Monarchy and Aristicracy although I did once read an article in a Plaid Cymru journal 'WALES MUST HAVE A MONARCHY'. However, I suspect that many Welsh Nationalists/Republicans and that includes not least ''Cilmeri's Republicans'' would instantly as Garibaldi turn to a Native Monarchy as a means to an end. I suspect most Welsh Nationalists/Republicans, if born in medieval times, if not be prepared to fight for Llywelyn III would to a man be out with Owain Glyndwr or at least with his peasant army of ''Barefoot Welsh Doggis''.
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Thus no, there is no actual Welsh Monarchist League us such, unless you count it as a league of interests in the ancient Cymric Royal Houses and Aristocratic Traditions. It is to this patriotic purpose this blog has been set up, I also have the purpose of providing a platform for myself to share with you some research in these areas of Welsh History over the past 40 years. Further, to that I have an important obligation to fill to a patriot who contacted me many years ago with his ideas regards a Welsh Regnal List for numerous reasons, not least patriotic but also to serve good educational needs. Amongst the many suggestions here was that we should be referring to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd as Llywelyn III and not Llywelyn yr Ail, an awful piece of ''Cambrianism''. Suffice to say, I have agreed and concurred with this and since, often to one patriots annoyance used Llywelyn III ever since. Much more on this will be explained in the next fourthcoming post. Other than this note that via this Blog platform I shall touch on such matters as:
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* Advancing Knowledge of the Ancient Principalities of Cymru.
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* Informing on the rise and fall of these Principalities.
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* Advancing Knowledge of the Last Days of Llywelyn III, and post conquest Wales to 1400.
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* Educating and campaigning for the return of the national treasures of Gwynedd, as Croes Naid in particular.
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* Promoting interest in Literature, memorials and commemorative work in above connection.
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* Have you any suggested additions?
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In connection with this blog also see my other history blogs: Cofiwn Archive http://cofiwn.blogspot.com/ and I'r Gad Welsh Battlefield Campaign http://brwydr.blogspot.com/
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G.ap Gruffydd.
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INFORMATION:
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Basque nationalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Basque nationalism is a movement with roots in the Carlism and the loss, by the laws of 1839 and 1876, of the Ancien Regime relationship between the Basque ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_nationalism - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - Note this