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Following on above, end your day in Abergwuan.
Do the above walk first, as best not do it after a meal with drinking at the Royal Oak, as suggested below. However, first do please lay flowers on grave of Henry Davies and his wife in cemetary opposite the Town Library, in photo you will see I placed some flowers. Then visit the Royal Oak famouse for having there the actual table upon which the 'French Surrender' was signed and much more, there now exists quite an exhibition worth seeing, not least on the 100th anniversary commemoration of 1897 and that is very revealing. The Royal Oak by way is a very compfortable pub with large Bars, Restaraunt and Beer Garden, so excellent place to take it easy after the above outing to Garreg Wasted. Enjoy! Don't forget to sing the 'MARSEILLES' and also 'VIVE LE FRANCE'.
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All pictures are (c) Gethin Gruffydd, but if you want to reproduce you only got to ask also if using any of the below material, please be kind to quote source. Diolch yn Fawr. Now on with the heavy stuff!
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22nd February 1797.
Our Welsh Republican Failiure?
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Introduction: Continuing my February theme, looking into the subject of “Welsh Republicanism’’, I conclude with this article dealing with a brief history seeking to identify this “Welsh Republicanism”. My other published postings on this subject are in my following associated blogs:
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* Alternative Welsh Nationalist Archive: http://awnms.blogspot.com for WRM I History 1946 - 1956.
* Adfywiad Gwladgarol Cymru: http://adfywiad.blogspot.com for Welsh Republicanism 1966 – 2006.
Also see other blogs I work with: Cofiwn Archive blog and Cilmeri Commemoration tribute blog.
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A Prologue:
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* The motivation for my spending so much time on subject of ‘’Welsh Republicanism’, is in first instance the anniversary date of the “Fishguard Fiasco” arises in February, next week in fact, so what better time to highlight a subject that seriously needs much attention. This brings me to another motivation and that is the terrible state of decay, demise and decline dawning over any attempt at reviving or perhaps rather “Welsh Republican Resurrection”, unfortunately a “Welsh Republican Resurgence” is a long way away? It is my belief that any “Welsh Republicanism” in our history is but a myth advanced again by the “Patriotic Bard” Harri Web, but is it? Welsh Republicans Ifor Wilks in the past and David Lawrence in our own time have detected a little evidence to the otherwise. However, It is my contention that “Welsh Republicanism” old or new is a failed political ideology, for reasons why in the past this article will clarify. Why in our own contemporary times, unfortunately failure was rooted from the start within WRM I, although this “WR” Movement seriously attempted establishing a “WR” Philosophy, Theory and Creed, it failed. The reason for failure was the same as those that generally undermine ‘Alternative Welsh Nationalism’; they are reasons of “Radical Nationalism – v – Moderate Nationalism”. Cultural Nationalism – v – Political Nationalism’’ and issue of Left or Right or rather an “Insular patriotic form of Republicanism”, as represented by WRM II and Cymdeithas Cyfamod to the derisory Cymru Rydd and Balchder Cymru today. Opposed to this is the more “International Republicanism” as represented by the WSRM and present day “Guardianesque Newspaper Republicanism” of the “Plaid Poppy Left”. Have I any conclusions, such I will save for my summery at end of this article.
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The Fishguard Fiasco 22 February 1797.
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*In brief, a French Expeditionary Force sent to invade Britain landed near Fishguard and, after a couple of days of getting drunk, were rounded up, largely, by a group of Welsh Women wearing Red shawls and Tall black hats - or so the story goes. The only problem is, local historian Syd Walters strongly disputes this ‘history’ (but I dispute much that Syd Walters says, which is a bit on the ‘WASP’ side, so there you are!) and when one realises that a similar story exists in Ilfracoome (French were on way to invade Bristol in this version of the story), then it all smacks pretty much of not so much “tall hats”, but more like” tall tales”. This has something to do with the spread of popular reading, see explanation in book about ‘Sawney Bean – The Scottish Cannibal’, how similar is claimed in a number of localities all over British Isles. Think Victorianism, Think Gerlert! And even Think Cilmeri! After all Llywelyn III was killed at Aberedw, so why do patriots hold commemorations at Cilmeri! Puzzled! See Cofiwn and Cilmeri Commemoration Tribute blog ok!
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* It is an irony that in the years leading up to 1797 Wales was in grip of numerous ‘popular revolts’ particularly “Bread Riots” not least in the county of Pembrokeshire. On 2 March 1795 Lord Dynevor informed the government of bread riots taking place in Narberth and Haverfordwest. He feared this might encourage agitation in other towns as it was well known that seditious literature had been circulating in the county. In previous year a John Bowen of Cardigan had informed the government that people of Fishguard were ‘rather disaffected to government’, adding mysteriously, ‘the French were lately landed at Fishguard are very suspicious’. Was he hinting at French Agents in league possibly with local dissidents? On 18 August 1795 the Hook colliers and their womenfolk had seized a ship bound for Bristol with load of butter. The Militia was called in and fighting broke out causing the riot act to be read so dispersing the agitated crowd. (I have extensively quoted in this and following paragraph from article ‘Pembrokeshire in wartime 1793 – 1815’ which gives brief but good account of further disturbances in these neo – revolutionary times in Wales, not least West Wales.)
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* There are however in these times no equivalent of a ‘United Irishman Movement’. There was no Welsh Wolfe Tone or Robert Emmet but there were dissidents as Merchant John Thomas of Haverfordwest, two Baptist ministers, the Rev. John Reynolds of Felinganol and the Rev. Henry Davies of Llangloffen both of whom were accused of having sympathies with the French Revolutionaries. Following events of 22 February 1797 an effigy of Henry Davies was burnt in Fishguard by a drunken “Taffy Ich Dien Crown and Country Brit Mob” (my diatribe against these Welsh Anglo - Saxon Protestants). Two dissenting yeomen, Samuel Griffiths of Pointz Castle and Thomas John of Summerton languished in prison until September 1797 accused of conspiring with the French, trumped up charges for a show trial to scare others from any sign or show of support for the French Revolution. Despite much civil unrest and some support for the French Revolution why did the events of 22 February 1797 not prove advantageous to advancing Welsh Republican ideals? First and fore most prior to 1797 were years of famine but 1797 ironically was not and thus popular discontent was muted. However, just a couple of years later in 1799 Pembrokeshire were in a state of discontent and Lord Milford was informed ‘the people are upon the eve of rising en mass’. This alarmist report would go on to say that they would this time perhaps welcome the French, despite this time around the gentry being on the receiving end of violent threats there was to be no peasants rising in the west, nor a ‘United Welshman Movement’ to ally itself with such revolt to ferment and carry out a Welsh Republican Rebellion’. If only but why not?
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* The ‘French Revolution’ and before it the ‘American Revolution’ via the advance of a verity of 18th century ideas and ideals give rise not only to the cause of democracy (see philosophy of Voltaire and writings of Tom Paine) but also give birth to the concept of the Nation State and stimulated into existence many National Movements to pursue such ends. Most noted example to us here being Wolfe Tones ‘United Irishmen Movement’ (also Robert Emmet and later Daniel O’Connell) but there was to be neither Welsh Wolfe Tone nor a ‘United Welshmen Movement’. Perhaps the nearest we have to such a man is John Jones of Glan y Gors and Morgan John Rhys and there were others of a ‘’dissident’’ nature as Thomas Glyn Gothi, Thomas Roberts and not least Iolo Morgannwg but where as Wolfe Tone and Robert Emmet sought Irish Freedom and Independence not one of the aforementioned early Welsh radical dissenters had similar thoughts for Wales. These men spoke only of ‘abolishing the British Monarchy and reforming the British Parliament’. At best these men were the to influence a Welsh “Religious or/and Cultural Nationalism’’ and most certainly not in any shape or form motivate into existance ‘Political Welsh Nationalist - Republicanism’.
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* That for modern day Welsh Nationalists and Republicans is an uncomfortable truth and such is equally true up to and into the 1831 Merthyr Rising, 1839 Chartist Llanidloes and Newport insurrections and beyond. It is not until men arise as Emrys ap Iwan and Michael D. Jones do we see a Radical Welsh Nationalism begin to flower but which eventually becomes ‘’Bourgeoisie Liberal ‘Cymru Fydd’ Nationalism’’ which fails and disappears into ‘Religious Cultural Nationalism’ of Non – conformist Church Disestablishment and campaign to abolish drinking on a Sunday finally after WW I finding final roosting place in pacifism (Today failed ‘Alternative Welsh Republican/Nationalism’ finds compfort in the spuedo patriotism of “Tartan Taffery” and posing and posturing in ‘Dydd Dewi’ parades in Caerdydd). Meanwhile a more Political Nationalism finally begins to mature in the 1920’s – 30’s in form of Plaid Cymru, the history of which is well recorded but what of “Welsh Republicanism”. A ‘Welsh Republicanism’ does not arise until the 1940’s despite this and later Welsh Republicanism attempting to find a specific “Welsh Republican Tradition’’ in the aforementioned writings and actions of 18th and 19th century Welsh dissidents and radicals and the movements with which they are associated there is none and that is the stark reality.
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* However, there is no reason why those of present day ‘Welsh Republican mind’ may not search for “Republican roots” somewhere in this 18th and 19th century “Jacobin” history of early Welsh political radicalism. Certainly such search will inform and educate them more as to future of a true Welsh Republicanism Movement and struggle than is the rather odd pre occupation of “Welsh Republicans” to hang around events associated with Medieval Welsh Princes as at Cilmeri which has never achieved much in interest of Welsh Republicanism unless of course your Republicanism is in Nature of Garibaldi rather than Mazzini. This “Welsh ‘Garibaldian’ Republicanism’’ may be placed at door of patriotic bard Harri Web (and in latter years Gareth ap Sion) who “romanticised” both Welsh Princes and later Welsh Radicals in his ‘Romantic Republican Revolution’’ that inspired 1960’s ‘Republican Nationalists’ toward Cilmeri and a Patriotic Front encouraged “Radical Militant Nationalist” anti – Investiture campaign focused around annual Cilmeri Commemoration rather than any possible Welsh Republican historic person and event or site.
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* The Welsh Republican Movement of the 1946 – 56/7 arose by motivation from numerous sources as inspired by post WW II anti – Colonial struggles but chiefly was inspired by 1916 Irish Republicanism that also brought with it the cultural Nationalism of Padrig Pearse , Arthur Griffiths, Tom Clark and De Velera rather than the Socialist Militancy of Connolly or later IRA left freedom Fighters. This influence of Irish Republicanism has remained as strong as ever on later Welsh Republican Movements down to the present day “Romantics and Retro’s’’ with their resurrection of FWA/Patriotic Front style of so called ‘’Welsh Republicanism’’ of the 1960’s which in reality was no more than an “Alternative Militant Welsh Nationalism’’. For such reason I contend Welsh Republicanism has always been an immature and impotent political philosophy in Wales and will remain so until those who perceive of them selves as “Welsh Republicans” seek out some resemblance of Welsh republican roots and history as even if none exists such quest will inform and educate as to why not and knowing the reasons why not will as much become the roots and foundations of a substantially more real Welsh Republicanism Movement and struggle. Then they may more successfully develop a true Welsh Republican Ideology.
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A summery:
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*To conclude. On other related matters, it is worth mentioning which does have much bearing on above politics of present day Wales and on the history of “Welsh Republicanism?’’ above. You will have seen that in association with the “Fishguard Fiasco” there is some evidence of sympathy with the French and maybe of at least a ‘Dissident’, if not ‘’Republican Conspiracy”. Most Welsh Patriots consider that the Welsh give up struggle against the English Crown at advent of the Tudors, but from the moment of their “Crowning glory” in succeeding to fulfil the prophecy of restoring ‘Coron Arthur’ to the ‘’Brythons’’(see my debunking article ‘Coron Glyndwr’) there were still ‘Cymry’ prepared to plan and plot rebellion. I am at present researching such ‘’hidden rebelliousness’’, if not outright rebellion. Seeking evidence from Rhys ap Gruffydd 1529, the “last Prince of Wales?” to the “Welsh Insolence” that upset Oliver Cromwell, to the Welsh Jacobite David Morgan and later I will look into the Lewis Lewis, the greatest of our Welsh Revolutionaries. All these and more planned and plotted, including myself with others against the Investiture of an Englishman as ‘’Prince of Wales’’. All were to have an impact, that may be measured in a verity of degrees but all were to ultimately fail by degrees, but why? While I was visiting Abergwuan on 22 February 2006, I visited the Royal Oak to have some food and with a glass of Guinness, make toast to the French, who with their “Black Legion”, Irish Officers and American Commander might have “pulled it off”. If a large body of “UNITED WELSHMEN” had been there to greet them at Garreg Wasted on 22 February 1797, but no that was not to be. However, at the Royal Oak that day of 22 February 2006 were a small group of people holding a “Learn Welsh’’ social afternoon, one of those present I knew and we got talking. Those there to ‘learn Welsh’, of course knew about the “French Fiasco” but none realised the signifgance of that present day. In course of conversation re the history of 1797, to Merthyr 1831 and indeed ‘Investiture 1969’. The person I was having discussion with “hit it on the head” as to just why all such “Rebelliousness” and “Revolution” was bound to be ultimately failed plots with the plotters who had planning such on the run, imprisoned or dead. Quite simply it is all down to an “Head Count”, unfortunately the Welsh population in past and present times was just too small to produce significant numbers that would find a large enough body of “Dissidents” or may be enough “Discontented” and thus would not succeed as such “D&D” was always in minority and usually contained. Further let us not forget how in time matters of “Class” would intrude and interfere as such did in the “Rebecca Rebellion” (see my article on the Blue Books of 1848, the ‘Year of Revolution’) and both insurrections at Merthyr 1831 and Newport 1839, Ton y Pandy 1910 and Llanelli 1911. So yes! numbers does have a lot to do with it, but so too, does the matter of “awareness”, that is how people remember and how history is taught and also what becomes important to a people and what is then remembered, passed on. Thus consider these historical events and consider how much you are aware, as example The Blue Books 1848 and Europe’s Year of Revolution 1848, The Llanelli Riots 1911 or the Investiture of 1911, I could go on but I guess you will have got my point. We also have to consider other realities as for instance on the night of the main “rioting” in Tonypandy 1910 by about a 1000 people, up the road in Aberdar about 10.000 people were watching a boxing match (so I was told?), you get the point! Where is all that taking you? You decide! Discuss and Debate!
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An epilogue?
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* I propose to those who perceive them selves as ‘Welsh Republicans’’ that to focus their thoughts on these aforementioned matters they each year they recognise 22 February 1797 as ‘Welsh Republic Day’ and annually gather on this day at ‘Garreg Wasted’ to greet “in spirit’’ the Irish and French of 1797 with rising of the Republican Tri - Colour flags of France, Ireland and Wales. (Latter is from left to right Green, Red & White, please no black stars? (As added by Ioan of Cymru 1400 USA?). This to be an annual Welsh Republican matter of national observation, commemoration and celebration, in a verity of ways locally (meals in French Restaurants?) and those who can make it, why not visit sites associated with 22 February 1797, on that day or on the following Saturday. Indeed why not tie in with a weekend ‘Welsh Republican College’ (weekend school/conference) in Abergwuan, combined possibly with a trip to the ‘National 1798 Centre’ at Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, that could be a really worthwhile annual long ‘’Welsh Republican” - weekend outing with most significant great educational purpose. Opportunity to compare and consider Wales 1797 and Ireland 1798, and remember what I said about “opulation numbers”, then there is religion too! to take into consideration. Further, consider Ireland 1798, there is a new controversial interpretation, a “revisionist” interpretation states that the 1798 Rebellion owed more to a “Jacobite past” rather than the then “Jacobin Present”, the argument being that the long persecuted Irish ‘Remembrancer’ Bards (compare with our ‘Brit Bards’ who accepted the Saxon Shilling of Elizabeth I at the Eisteddfod of Caerwys), they had become “Hedge Teachers” and had kept alive this “Jacobite Memory”, The truth being that the middle class revolutionaries might have been influenced by contemporary “Jacobinism” but the Peasantry just hated the “protestant” English ruling colonial class, end of the matter. Now compare that with Cymru/Wales and do not forget Irish Romantic fiction based on “mythifying” of their past as example stories of ‘The Pirate Queen of Mayo’, Connor the Smuggler and other, often “desperados” (see Irish Nationalism and romantic nationalist fiction on the web also same re Scottish Nationalism).
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* To End: In time I will have a look into all this myself, but if some one else wants to do so and submit an article on that latter theme, for me to consider posting, then do! OK! That’s my “Republican Month” contribution completed, next in line for publishing/posting:
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* Dewi Sant and all that? (See other blogs re suggestions for patriotic/republican action on 1 March).
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* Welsh Jacobites and Jacobitism. Some really “romantic adventurous stuff” (nod to Walter Scott).
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* The Insurrection of 1831 revisited. Some “Welsh Socialism”, material for an ‘Adfywiad Goch’.
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……….and much, much more!!!!!
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