Nadolig Llawen: Merry Christmas

Anyone with some insights into etymology or other festive Cymraeg words?

Art by Joshua Morgan, Sketchy Welsh

Last year I wrote a history blog about medieval Wales, and specifically the Kingdom of Gwynedd, please feel free to read and comment... Enjoy!

https://teyrnasguynet.blogspot.com/?m=1

Before Owain Glyndŵr, there was Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri (1330 - July 1378).

Owain, better known today as Owain Lawgoch, was a Welsh soldier who fought for the French, whilst leading a free company (a mercenary army), against the English in the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453).

Most interestingly, he was a senior descendant of Llywelyn Fawr of House Aberffraw - giving Lawgoch a strong claim on the titles "Prince of Gwynedd" and "Prince of Wales".

It was in Paris in May of 1372 when Owain would announce his intention on claiming the throne of Cymru and, with the financial support of French King Charles V (21 January 1338 – 16 September 1380), he set out to reclaim his family's traditional Kingdom.

He would prove to be a formidable thorn in the side of the English, who began to fear the potential ramifications of his claim. So much so, in fact, that the English establishment sought the aid of an assassin, John Lamb of Scotland, to take down Owain. He succeeded in killing Owain in July of 1378 and was rewarded a large sum of £20.

Lawgoch is today buried at the Church of St. Leger, near Cognac, France and a memorial at Lawgoch's death location was unveiled Mortagne-sur-Gironde in 2003. He is a hero of Cymru whose name should never be forgotten.

We just released a new power metal album called "Hic Sunt Dracones," and if you're into epic fantasy and mythological storytelling, you’ll want to check this out. The album dives deep into the myths and legends of ancient Wales, drawing inspiration from the Mabinogion and legendary figures like Bran the Blessed and Rhiannon. Each track is like a journey into a forgotten realm, filled with mythical creatures, gods, and battles of epic proportions.

If you love bands like Battlelore or Blind Guardian, you'll definitely enjoy the mix of symphonic metal and heavy, heroic riffs we’ve crafted. From the atmospheric opening with "Arawn's Call" to the powerful closing track about the Lady of the Lake, this album takes you straight into the heart of ancient Celtic lore. Let us know what you think and where the dragons take you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek69p6Awe7M&list=OLAK5uy_nfpY22yKvwdtLSgXCErcTJEIJD7TiA9Nc

Llan: church land/parish/linked to root for ‘land’ Fair: Mary (Mair) Pwll: pool/pit/a hollow Gwyn: white Gyll: hazels (cyll) Go ger: fairly near Y chwyrndrobwll: the fierce whirlpool Llantysilio: church of Tysilio Ogof: a cave Goch: red (Coch)

Image by Joshua Morgan, Sketchy Welsh www.sketchywelsh.com

Do we know what was the general role women played in pre-14 century Wales society? Was it similar or different to other nations? Were there famous example of Welsh women from this time?

I can't possibly begin to imagine why but some people, for some strange reason, equate anti-Edward Longshanks leaning posts with anglophobia. It's maddening!

Here's a homemade meme.

To English royalist historians, Edward I is often remembered as one of the most successful Kings of England.

To the Welsh and Scots, however, his place in history is forever cemented as being the primary historical enemy.

A cruel and vicious King who attempted to eradicate us.

I'm writing this mainly in reference to one figure I've heard of, but seen so very little of, being that of Bywyr Lew ap Bywydeg. I've seen nothing according to general history on this figure (Wikipedia, Journal Articles, University reports) excluding a varying amount of Genealogy sites, Family Tree and so forth. Is there anything we know about this figure apart from his death date and death area essentially? Did he do anything notable in the history of Powys and Pengwern, or in the wider Briton scale? I thank all that give any sort of answer or even better, sources of any according reliability, it's just so obscure and I'd love to be able to read further into this figure.

Y rhynig rheswm dwi'n ysgrifennu am ydi ambod o'r son o un ffigwr dwi wedi clywad amdan, ond di weld dimbyd amdan heblaw am y pethau coedan teulu ma ti weld weithiau, dwi heb gweld dim taflen prifysgol na wicipedia na'm byd felna, y rhynig wybodaeth fedrai gael ar, i weld, ydi dyddiad bosib marwolaeth ac ardal byw. Wnaeth y ffigwr yma wneud rhywbeth enwedig yn hanes Powys a Pengwern neu yn y edrychiad fwy o sgop Brythoneg? Dwi'n diolch i unrhyw un sydd hefo unrhyw atebion neu ffynhonnellau o unrhyw fath, ma'r ffigwr yma yn un unigryw a soni hoffi gallu ddarllan fwy fewn i'r berson ma.

Diolch yn fawr i unrhyw un sydd yn ateb (Thanks to any and all that answer!)

The Edwardian Conquest of Wales by Edward I (often known as Edward Longshanks) took place between 1277 and 1283. It culminated with the deaths/executions of Llywelyn (1282) and Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1283), the last of the native Princes of Wales.

A couple of descendants would claim the title in the coming years, such as the rebels Madog ap Llywelyn (Welsh Revolt of 1294–95) and, most notably, Owain Glyndŵr (Glyndŵr Uprising of 1400-1415).

Edward Longshanks would be remembered for centuries in Cymru as a cruel tyrant who ended Welsh sovereignty.

Betsi Cadwaladr (1789-1860) was from a working-class background at a time when being a working class woman often meant a lifetime of housework. She would instead prove to be one of the most significant figures in healthcare - a moderniser who recognised the importance of cleaning wounds and keeping them clean.

Whilst a mutual respect would grow between the two, Betsi would often butt heads with the other most famous nurse of the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale - a woman from a very opposite background to Betsi. It is believed she would initially sneer at the Welshwoman but come to respect her and her methods.

One of the more well-known comments Betsi made to Florence was: "Do you think I am a dog or an animal to make me over? I have a will of my own." - This came after Nightingale attempted to bar Cadwaladr from working in Crimea, perhaps fearing the rise of Betsi as a famed nurse in her own right.

I mean, is it wrong?

I'm fascinated by post roman Britain and I would like to learn more about that period and specially about the kingdom of Gwynedd. Do you have any book recommendations on the history of the kingdom and post roman Wales in general?