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The Rise and Fall of Owain Glyn Dwr: England, France and the Welsh Rebellion in the Late Middle Ages
The subject of this compelling biography, Owain Glyn Dwr is one of the great figures of Welsh and military history. Initially a loyal subject of the king of England, he reluctantly took up arms against the Crown he had served. Once committed to rebellion, he proved surprisingly talented at leading rebel troops against a theoretically vastly superior enemy.
Gideon Brough reveals that Owain was more than just a warrior: he conceived and implemented a strategy which saw his small, poorly-equipped forces repeatedly defeat Crown troops and bring down the apparatus of governance in Wales. Following these achievements, he held native parliaments and established diplomatic contact with surrounding powers. This led to a treaty with France, after the conclusion of which, he welcomed French forces to Welsh soil to campaign with the rebels. In brief, Owain erected a rebel state and won international recognition, as the book so insightfully shows. It later reflects on how Owain's foreign support was fractured by the intrigues of exceptionally talented English diplomats at work in the French court and the subsequent creation of an environment which allowed Crown forces to concentrate on defeating the rebellion in Wales. Brough very effectively argues that, although ultimately unsuccessful, Owain emerges from the era as a gifted and honourable leader, giving the Welsh a figure commonly recalled as a hero.
Gideon Brough reveals that Owain was more than just a warrior: he conceived and implemented a strategy which saw his small, poorly-equipped forces repeatedly defeat Crown troops and bring down the apparatus of governance in Wales. Following these achievements, he held native parliaments and established diplomatic contact with surrounding powers. This led to a treaty with France, after the conclusion of which, he welcomed French forces to Welsh soil to campaign with the rebels. In brief, Owain erected a rebel state and won international recognition, as the book so insightfully shows. It later reflects on how Owain's foreign support was fractured by the intrigues of exceptionally talented English diplomats at work in the French court and the subsequent creation of an environment which allowed Crown forces to concentrate on defeating the rebellion in Wales. Brough very effectively argues that, although ultimately unsuccessful, Owain emerges from the era as a gifted and honourable leader, giving the Welsh a figure commonly recalled as a hero.
344 pages, Paperback
Published February 25, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 18, 2025
Edward I of England had conquered Wales in the last quarter of the 13th century. Just over a hundred years later a massive revolt against English rule was to break out. Owain Glyn Dŵr was to become its leader and the war of independence was to last for almost two decades before being snuffed out. Gideon Brough’s The Rise and Fall of Owain Glyn Dŵr charts the rebellion but with a particular focus on the rebels international relations for this was a part of the hundred years war and England was locked in a war with France; while the rebellion was still ongoing Henry V was to have his famous victory at Agincourt.
Pros
Good argumentation
Interesting focus on international relations
Cons
Focus on diplomacy can lead to gaps
Does not work as a general history of the rebellion
The writing is decent, but nothing exceptional. It is quite an academic book that is putting forth several ideas about the rebellion. The argumentation is carefully considered with lots of backing evidence.
This context is what makes the book different. It is focused on a niche in history that has not been studied before. Rebellions are not self contained, or at least not when those they are rebelling against have enemies. The Welsh appealed for support across Europe, but particularly to France, Scotland, and this being the middle ages the Pope(s). The strength of this support Brough asserts closely tracks the progress of the campaign. There is considerable diplomacy on both sides, and victory for England in Wales does not come from winning on the field of battle but on shutting down the support of Wales’ allies. This international relations approach is refreshing and interesting.
The downside of this approach is that there is little detail on the rebellion itself. Borough himself suggests that the existing works provide a good account of the course of the rebellion. The problem of course is that I have not read these other works, nor am I doing so in parallel. Unfortunately that means there are gaps and many domestic and local aspects of the rebellion that are not well covered in this book. This can make following the progress of the rebellion difficult.
This is a very academic style of book. Borough has gone to a lot of effort to finding sources, particularly those that have not been considered before, and to re-evaluate already better known sources from a different, international relations, perspective to shed new light on the course of the rebellion. We dive into the sources to consider them closely and look at all the different sources to come to new interpretations of events. This therefore provides a lot of good new scholarship. Though is probably a less interesting aspect of the book if you are reading for a general history of the rebellion.
There are quite a lot of maps, mostly at the beginning but a few through the text as well. These are mostly clear and easy to read (though some may consider the text too small); these are maps of Wales and the main campaigns of the rebellion. But inevitably these do not cover everything that comes up in the text. And given to international affairs focus it is rather odd that there is no wider map of the Western European situation.
A book therefore for someone who already knows a fair amount about the rebellion rather than if you are new to the subject. Though you will find it interesting if, like me, the rebellion is a bit of a blank but you know a fair bit about the hundred years war.
Pros
Good argumentation
Interesting focus on international relations
Cons
Focus on diplomacy can lead to gaps
Does not work as a general history of the rebellion
The writing is decent, but nothing exceptional. It is quite an academic book that is putting forth several ideas about the rebellion. The argumentation is carefully considered with lots of backing evidence.
This context is what makes the book different. It is focused on a niche in history that has not been studied before. Rebellions are not self contained, or at least not when those they are rebelling against have enemies. The Welsh appealed for support across Europe, but particularly to France, Scotland, and this being the middle ages the Pope(s). The strength of this support Brough asserts closely tracks the progress of the campaign. There is considerable diplomacy on both sides, and victory for England in Wales does not come from winning on the field of battle but on shutting down the support of Wales’ allies. This international relations approach is refreshing and interesting.
The downside of this approach is that there is little detail on the rebellion itself. Borough himself suggests that the existing works provide a good account of the course of the rebellion. The problem of course is that I have not read these other works, nor am I doing so in parallel. Unfortunately that means there are gaps and many domestic and local aspects of the rebellion that are not well covered in this book. This can make following the progress of the rebellion difficult.
This is a very academic style of book. Borough has gone to a lot of effort to finding sources, particularly those that have not been considered before, and to re-evaluate already better known sources from a different, international relations, perspective to shed new light on the course of the rebellion. We dive into the sources to consider them closely and look at all the different sources to come to new interpretations of events. This therefore provides a lot of good new scholarship. Though is probably a less interesting aspect of the book if you are reading for a general history of the rebellion.
There are quite a lot of maps, mostly at the beginning but a few through the text as well. These are mostly clear and easy to read (though some may consider the text too small); these are maps of Wales and the main campaigns of the rebellion. But inevitably these do not cover everything that comes up in the text. And given to international affairs focus it is rather odd that there is no wider map of the Western European situation.
A book therefore for someone who already knows a fair amount about the rebellion rather than if you are new to the subject. Though you will find it interesting if, like me, the rebellion is a bit of a blank but you know a fair bit about the hundred years war.
December 31, 2017
A thoroughly fascinating book for anyone who wants to know more about one of the greatest Welsh heroes.
What Gideon Brough manages to do in this book, is make the history of the alliances and treaties between Wales, France and England seem engaging and interesting. Not an easy task. Instead of reading like a history textbook or essay, this book manages to hook you from the very first page and ensures that you do not get lost in the Henry's and Owain's and Rhys' of the 13-1400's. Again, not an easy task.
For me personally, it was interesting to read how the bonds between the French and the Welsh fell apart, how the French decided that involving themselves in the Welsh rebellions was a good idea despite all of the internal divides of the French court, and to learn how Owain Glyndŵr gained his legendary status, something that has survived in Wales even to the modern day. Unfortunately, I didn't learn about Glyndŵr in school, my first exposure to him and his legend came from the renaming of my local university to Glyndŵr university. I don't often say that my education failed me, but in this instance, it did.
However, Brough's book if the perfect introduction to Owain Glyndŵr, covering the period of time from prior to the Welsh rebellion to Glyndŵr's death. It does so in a detailed manner that is not stuffy and does not remind me of an old history textbook. It is perfect for a history nerd or a patriotic Welsham/woman.
Cymru am byth!
What Gideon Brough manages to do in this book, is make the history of the alliances and treaties between Wales, France and England seem engaging and interesting. Not an easy task. Instead of reading like a history textbook or essay, this book manages to hook you from the very first page and ensures that you do not get lost in the Henry's and Owain's and Rhys' of the 13-1400's. Again, not an easy task.
For me personally, it was interesting to read how the bonds between the French and the Welsh fell apart, how the French decided that involving themselves in the Welsh rebellions was a good idea despite all of the internal divides of the French court, and to learn how Owain Glyndŵr gained his legendary status, something that has survived in Wales even to the modern day. Unfortunately, I didn't learn about Glyndŵr in school, my first exposure to him and his legend came from the renaming of my local university to Glyndŵr university. I don't often say that my education failed me, but in this instance, it did.
However, Brough's book if the perfect introduction to Owain Glyndŵr, covering the period of time from prior to the Welsh rebellion to Glyndŵr's death. It does so in a detailed manner that is not stuffy and does not remind me of an old history textbook. It is perfect for a history nerd or a patriotic Welsham/woman.
Cymru am byth!
October 31, 2020
The Rise and Fall of Owain Glyn Dwr is not a biography of the infamous Welsh rebel nor is it a comprehensive account of Glyn Dwr’s rebellion against Henry IV. It is, however, a scholarly re-examination of the rebellion, focusing on the network of alliances and power Glyn Dwr used as well as the true beginnings of the revolt – not instigated by Glyn Dwr, as often claimed.
Despite a lack of in-depth knowledge about Glyn Dwr and medieval Wales, I found this easy to follow, the prose clear – it is definitively a scholarly work so the average reader may struggle with it, though. Brough’s theories are well-argued and logical and the insight he gives on Welsh relations with both Scotland and France as well as with England is fascinating.
My one regret is that, lacking the in-depth knowledge of the revolt, I am not fully able to appreciate Gideon Brough’s ground-breaking work. I suspect if I had read the work of R. R. Davies and others, I would be more impressed with Brough’s achievements – or at least in a better position to evaluate them.
Despite a lack of in-depth knowledge about Glyn Dwr and medieval Wales, I found this easy to follow, the prose clear – it is definitively a scholarly work so the average reader may struggle with it, though. Brough’s theories are well-argued and logical and the insight he gives on Welsh relations with both Scotland and France as well as with England is fascinating.
My one regret is that, lacking the in-depth knowledge of the revolt, I am not fully able to appreciate Gideon Brough’s ground-breaking work. I suspect if I had read the work of R. R. Davies and others, I would be more impressed with Brough’s achievements – or at least in a better position to evaluate them.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews