PEMBROKE & Monkton Local History Society began the New Year well with a talk by Nathen Amin, which proved very popular indeed with 120 people filling Pembroke Town Hall for the event!

Nathen is an acclaimed historian and writer. Nathen has been a good friend to Pembroke in the support of the town’s Henry VII statue campaign and has journeyed down to Pembroke on other occasions to speak at Local History Society events.

He is nationally recognised for his work on the history of Henry Tudor but this time he gave an impressive talk on that great Welsh patriot, Owain Glyndwr, the leader of the revolt against the oppressive English rule of Henry IV that began in 1400 and lasted 15 years; it was a revolt sparked by a land dispute that escalated into a national war for independence.

Glyndwr was a great patriot who fought for an independent future for Wales. He held the first Welsh Parliament at Machynlleth where he was formally crowned as Prince of Wales and where he set out a bold future for Wales including the establishment of a separate church and two universities. This is commemorated by monument that stands in the grounds of Y Plas, Machynlleth.

Sadly, after initial successes, the campaign ultimately failed due to the superior strength and resources of the English monarchy but Glyndŵr was never captured or betrayed by his followers. He disappeared around 1415, and his final resting place remains a mystery.

Glyndwr remains an iconic symbol of Welsh nationalism and resistance and two statues can be found is Wales: one in City Hall, Cardiff and the other in Corwen.

Nathen was so pleased with his reception from Pembroke that he has promised to speak again for Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society in next year’s programme – something to look forward to!