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Members of the Celtic League attended an annual commemoration at Cefn-y-bedd (Cilmeri), Cymru/Wales this weekend to remember the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd or Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf (the last Welsh Prince of Wales).
Members travelled to Cefn-y-bedd from Kernow/Cornwall and Éire/Ireland to take part in the two day event and were warmly welcomed for the effort. Arriving in the morning of Saturday 12th December participants travelled in convoy to Llanynys Church, where the Prince reputedly heard Mass for the last time before his death. At the ceremony a Latin Mass was sung – similar to the one that Llewellyn would have heard - and there were stories, songs, poetry and a recount of events before and after his death.
After the Mass, members travelled back to Cefn-y-bedd to walk in procession to the memorial stone, which commemorates the death of the Prince. The stone stands at the place where Llewellyn was reputedly assassinated, along with 18 members of his Council, following a mysterious rendezvous that was possibly linked to arranging terms of a truce. After he had been killed, Llewelyn's head was then cut off and washed in a nearby spring.
At the memorial stone a number of poems, songs and speeches were made throughout the afternoon and notable people who have worked for the good of Wales over the last year were remembered. People later returned to the Prince Llewelyn Inn in Cefn-y-bedd where the singing and music continued.
The following morning (Sunday 13th December) members gathered outside Llanfair ym Muallt/Builth Wells golf club, where, under the 17th hole, 7 000 men from Llewelyn's army are purportedly buried. Following the cutting off of Llewelyn's head, it was shown to his army, who were told to put down their arms and go home. However, following their disarmament the Welsh army was slain by the English soldiers. Those who took part in the ceremony were shocked to hear from speakers that there was neither a permanent memorial to mark the last resting place of these soldiers and that we were not allowed onto the golf course to pay our respects to the dead.
Next the convoy travelled to Aberedw, where the group visited the ruins of one of Llywelyn's castles and from there on to the ruins of Abbey Cwmhir where it is believed that the headless body of the Prince was interred.
Among those who travelled to Cefn-y-bedd from the League were the General Secretary, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, Convenor, Cathal O Luain, Irish Branch Secretary, Caoimhín Ó Cadhla and Kernow Branch Secretary, Michael Chappell.
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot said:
"The weekend was an important reminder to us all that the Celtic peoples share a strong and indelible bond with each other that is as much a part of our shared histories, cultures and languages as anything else. The struggle that has and do occur in each one of our nations, is a struggle that all of us experience. The commiserations and celebrations within each of our countries are felt throughout the entire Celtic world, where that sadness or joy is shared.
After over 700 years Llywelyn's story is pertinent to us all, because we are all still struggling against the imperial powers who try their best to subjugate and subvert our efforts to rule ourselves; to be the nations we are in our own right.
As RS Thomas wrote in his poem "Welsh History", which was read out in Llanynys Church:
"We were a people, and are so yet. When we have finished quarrelling for crumbs Under the table, or gnawing the bones Of a dead culture, we will arise And greet each other in a new dawn Armed, but not in the old way."
On the Sunday 13th December, David Patterson, one of the organisers of the Cilmeri weekend, spoke to the assembled group of Celtic League members:
"If we [Celtic nations] stick together nobody can break us...your presence here is noted. I can assure you personally, I am warmed by it and your presence yesterday [Saturday] was so important...please keep coming"
Visit the Celtic League TV site for videos from the event, which will be uploaded within the course of the week.
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Other link:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
16/12/09
The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.
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