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Owain Glyndwr's Mount Traditional Cache

Hidden : 8/6/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is the fourth in a series placed as a tribute to Owain Glyndwr. It is hidden in an area of permissive public access to view the earthworks where nearby Owain proclaimed himself Prince of Wales on 16th.September 1400

The cache is a 600ml clip top box containing the log book, pencil and a few swaps and there is room for trackables.

Owain Glyndwr was a descendant of the Princes of Powys from his father Gruffudd Fynchan II, Lord of Glyndyfrdwy. Glyndwr was born in 1354 to a prosperous landed family, part of the Anglo-Welsh gentry of the Welsh Marches. Owain probably studied as a legal apprentice at the Inns of Court in London as a young man. In 1383 he returned to Wales, married and established himself as the Squire of Sycharth and Glyndyfrdwy. In the late 1390's he quarrelled with his neighbour Lord Grey over some lands and was unable to obtain redress from King Henry IV. Glyndwr lost the legal case and was under personal threat and in January 1400 serious civil disorder broke out and this led to Owain being proclaimed Prince of Wales on 16th.September 1400 by a band of followers. Then began a guerilla campaign against the English Lords of the Marches which soon became a war of independance. In 1402 the English Parliament issued Penal Laws against Wales and in 1403 Glyndwr was defeated by Henry IV at the battle of Shrewsbury. In 1405 a formal treaty between Wales and France was negotiated and French forces landed at Milford Haven and marched on Worcester. They met the English army but for reasons that have never been clear both sides withdrew and by 1406 the French forces had left Wales. Owain remained free and the revolt continued. In 1412 Owain Glyndwr captured Dafydd Gam ("Crooked David") a leading Welsh supporter of the English King Henry and later ransomed him. This was the last flash of the revolt and the last time that Owain was seen alive by his enemies. Nothing certain is known of Owain after 1412. It is thought that Owain finally spent his last years with his daughter Alys, passing himself off as an ageing Franciscan friar at their home at Kentchurch near Abergavenny.

Owain Glyndwr's Mount, which occupies a commanding position overlooking the Dee valley, is 6.5m high, 36m across the base and 12m at the top, with a ditch 1m deep on it's west and south-west, towards the road. It is probably a motte, although no bailey has been traced. It's active life would have been well before Glyndwr's rising in the early 15th century. In the same field however, not visible from the road, is a moated site, destroyed in 1403, with well attested connections with the hero. It is not known when the property came in to his family's hands.Read more about the manor of Glyndyfrdwy on the Cadw information plaque at the site and absorb the history of this place.

Enjoy your visit.

There is a parking place off the A5 at the lane opposite the Mount but take great care crossing the road which at times is very busy. Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the area where the cache is hidden.


*** Congratulations to Sleepynow01 for being FTF on 9/8/09 ***

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gerr fghzc

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)