Welsh Plotters and their unsuccessful Plots?

Picture Above: Obviously a fountain, looks quite new, the question is: Where is it? I Know, but I am not going to tell you yet, regard it has a bit of a summer competition, all will be revealed before 30 July, that's a good clue? I will also inform you before then, in what way these fountains might become relevent to one part of the some of subject title regards matters below: Now, read on:

A Matter of Jacobites and Jacobins 1648 - 1848, My new area of interest, ''have done the medieval to death'' and am getting slightly bored with it all. After 40 odd years messing with medievalism, can I be blamed for want to look for some new pastures? I had started to research for a book of which subject and title is/was? to be PLOTS & PLOTTERS IN WELSH HISTORY, from 'Caio to Cayo', beginning with Gruffydd ap Rhys and Gwenllian in the woods of Caio, plotting and planning to win back their lands from the Normans, to the ''Plotters in the Belfry of Bangor'' who betrayed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd to the English. Continuing on of course to the plotters of 16 Medi 1400, who plotted on a grand scale, and nearly pulled it off. For the most part of this book however, I intended to focus on the little known 'Plots and Plotters' in our history from the 1529 desperate intrigues of Rhys ap Gruffydd or perhaps his wife, the Lady Catherine Howard.Stacks of stuff about on they and this, very interesting, especially the story of his Uncle James ''on the run''. I have photos some where of last resting place of Rhys, after his execution at the tower of London. Will look for then and post them when found ok! Although it was Rhys who lost his head in the Tower of London, their two young sons were dispatched into exile on the Scottish borders. The one son would later die in a Scottish Battle but the other returned to Wales to reclaim his inheritence. Following on this, searching Wales for ''Plots and Plotters'' is really problematic, as following the '1536 Acts of Annexation' we become a pretty safe bunch of ''Proddies'' and later really irkesome ''Hannorvarian WASPS''. However, dig enough in the dark shadowy corners and one does find some really interesting ''Plots and Plotters'', and I have managed to find a pretty good selection, one plot per century from Rhys and calculating Catherine to Cayo Evans, FWA Commandant who with his FWA and the ''mischevious malcontent'' militants of the Patriotic Front, plotters all plotting in a ''Cracker of a Conspiracy'' seeking to thwart the Investiture of an Englishman as Prince of Wales. The problem now, is that I have run out of steam so to speak, am getting on in years and have recently been diagonosed with Diabetes, so am not exactly running at 100% anymore. On top of which, I am pretty busy keeping all my blogs going, plus this ''damn'' Alternative Nationalist History Archive around my neck, on top of which I am pretty fed up of research, I just want to write fiction and fantasy into my ''Grey Beard Years''. Thus, methinks! regards 'Plots and Plotters' will become an ''on going'' project which I will share with readers of 'THE WELSH PATRIOT', in form of the occaisional articles and miscellaneous features. Further, you may find that I shall be scattering associated material between all six of my blogs, to make life interesting and keep you all on your toes, devoted to regularly looking into these blogs, on case you might miss new material connected to something you really have an interest in. Generally, for the most part this project area really goes a lot into the subject of ''Welsh Jacobitism'' & ''Welsh Jacobinism''. Already, I have began digging into David Morgan, executed on the Surrey Gallows in 1746, you will find material on he already posted to http://adfywiad.blogspot.com This week, I hope to post and item in David Morgan and ''Welsh Jacobite'' connection to my blog http://assyrianrod.blogspot.com , you will see why, I have placed it there, when you get there. His famous last words were, on morning of his execution, ''Make the coffee good and strong'' alternativelly, I have seen this as ''By the way the coffee was cold''. Then there was the Plotter, who went to his execution because a virgin chose the short straw, who was he? and what was his ''Welsh Insolence?'' Another 'Welsh Plotter' went to his death very bravely, saying of the gallows: ''Sure, this is the best pulpit a man could have to preach in''. Can you name the plotter? and which plot he was accused of being involved in? 1715 to 1745 is full of ''Welsh Jacobite'' plotting, in period 1797 - 1831 plenty of ''Welsh Jacobins'' up to plotting, Who was behind the Scotch Cattle? and later the Rebeccites? Chartists Plotters in 1839, that's an easy one. But who was Merthyr's 'Son of Liberty' in 1848? Don't think we will ever know? However, of all these and other plots and plotters, there's one who stand head and shoulders above them all, most definatly the 'Osama Bin Laden' of his day. If I got to continue with any deep research, it will be on he and his constant plotting to bring down the English Crown. Who is he? Now, one I am stuck on, I took note of a name whilst researching 'Plots and Plotters', some one called Owen Keefe 1715, I think it was in a Pembrokeshire connection. Does anyone know anything about he, and why I should have made note of that name and date? I cannot find anything on the web even. let me know if you have any info please. Meanwhile, enjoy youself over at 'Assyrian Rod'.

Hwyl.

Gethin.

Dic's Bastard Play: A Patriotic Critique.

Franco's Bastard by Dic Edwards was brought out of it's box recently for a one night ''Script in Hand'' performance on 5th April 2007 at Chapter Arts Centre, Caerdydd. Too bad, I did not know about it or I would have republished my review sooner, and returned to mount another protest as I did in 2002. However, better late than not at all, I am sure they will bring it out of it's box again sometime? Maybe go on tour around Wales?

The Play as reviewed by Chapter in 2002.Wed, 10 April 2002 - Sat, 27 April 2002. CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE. “Sparks with energy ….stunning performances,” The Western Mail(of Sgript Cymru's Art and Guff) Franco's Bastard is directed by Simon Harris. The cast includes James Coombes (The Bill, Heartbeat, Holby City), Karin Diamond (Magistrates) and Shane Attwooll (The Bill, Nuts and Bolts). Carlo is a philosopher. Carlo is a soldier. Carlo is a lover. Carlo is a hunter. Carlo’s tears make Llyn Brianne. Carlo is the dawn on Poppit Sands… the rough seas’ calmer who whistles out the boats on beating eddies… a man with not a hint of mediocrity. Carlo is a fascist… While dreaming of the day when a new Wales will dawn, Carlo Francisco Franco Lloyd Hughes’s “project” goes strangely awry, when he falls in love with a mixed-race woman from Cardiff and meets a playboy called Ben, who murdered his boss with a frozen fish… Drawing on personal experience of Julian Cayo Evans, self-styled leader of the Free Wales Army, Franco’s Bastard is a richly written and very funny play looking at the absurdities of nationalism through the eyes of Carlo – a romantic fascist who believes himself to be the illegitimate son of General Franco and “a horse owner and citizen of Rome.” £7.50/£5First Night Preview (10th) All Tickets £5Monday Saver (15 + 22nd) 2 for the price of 1.

Photos above from http://adfywiad.blogspot.com See details there of FatWA 2002, and why it still stands.

Above critique I wrote regards 2002 showing of FB, have lost PC Word Version, could only republish here, this way from hard copy. Sorry, best I could do, am in a rush to go away again.

Photo above (Whose is it? if I knew I would credit) is of Cayo's funeral, over a 1000 attended and many patriots annually mark the anniversary of the death of Former FWA Commandant Cayo with grave side commemoration. When Dic Edwards dies, it will not be long before he his forgotten but Cayo will be ever remembered as long as there are Welsh Patriots to continue the struggle that Cayo and others began in the great 'Adfywiad Gwladgarol 1963 - 1969. See http://awnms.blogspot.com

Fe Godwn Ni Eto!

Gorchfygwn!

Gethin ap Gruffydd

Former PF-FWA Volunteer, imprisoned with Comrade Cayo 1969.

Note Email below, I was recently sent and of course the matter raised are quite pertinent and worthy of our attention and consideration, giving further reason for patriotic protest:

I sent an email to Chapter, using their feedback form - >http://www.chapter.org/aboutus/feedback.html>> http://www.chapter.org/2376.html - This web page refers to the play " > Franco's Bastard " being based on the author's experience of Cayo, and the > play depicts somebody totally deluded and enamoured of Fascism which Cayo > was not. I think that this libels the man and by association libels those > who associated themselves with him. I think that you should remove this > statement, or modify it at the least to make it clear that this play is > not about Cayo, and that Cayo did not share the beliefs of the character > portrayed.>

Get the point? What are your oppinions on this? G.

National Identity of the Scottish Kind.

Whither Scottish Nationalism? and Whither Welsh Nationalism?

For Scottish Nationalism: See Jacobites and Jacobins 1648 - 1848. Study Sir Walter Scott and Scottish Nationalism. Search Web For Material on above subject matter and on Scott's three Jacobite Novels:

Rob Roy, Red Gauntlet and Waverly.

In a Walnut Shell (I will explain why a Walnut Shell another time): The above three novels are Scott's great "Jacobite" works of fiction; Rob Roy is a pretty straight forward "Romantic Adventure" (as is Stephenson's Kidnapped), Red Gauntlet however starts to be more questioning. However, in Waverly the whole complexity of Scotland's agony and anxt is played out with regards the choices Scotland must face between an increasingly seen "old and backward Jacobite World with it's traditional conservative Highland clans" on the one side. On other hand 'English Hanorvarianism' which more and more is seen as being, if not radical then at least progressive and of course calls to an upwardly mobile Scottish Bourgeoisie and Mercantile Capitalist class. Not least 'English Hanorvarianism' appeals to Scots educated in Industry and science at the dawning of English Empire.

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To most Lowlander Scots at this time there is really no "going back to a distant past", read the material I have suggest you read which is noted above and hopefully it will help you come to your own conclusions om matters of identity and consciousness. I hope also importantly it will help you to understand more about Patriotism and Nationalism, both Welsh and in general via the means of exploring "Jacobitism and Jacobinism" in Scotland and in Wales (See my posting on David Morgan and the Welsh Jacobites in my Adfywiad blog http://adfywiad.blogspot.com). Unfortunately, there is no straight and clear comparison between Scotland and Cymru in period 1648 - 1848 but nevertheless at attempt at some comparative study will be useful to an understanding of politics in Cymru possibly; past, present and future. Especially if you read the Scottish material brought to your attention, and ask yourselves and consider questions regards similar choices the Cymry faced but at a much earlier date than the Scots. The "Scottish Anxt" in Waverly can be detected in a "Cymric Anxt" in time of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, Owain Glyndwr and not least in the Tudor Period. Be time Cymru reaches the "Jacobite and Jacobin" period the "Cymric Anxt" no longer exists as we have become full on - "White Anglo - Saxon Protestants" and we largely remain so up to relatively modern times, even today the residue of the "Hanoverian WASP Honey Trap" lingers on.

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Unfortunately ''Hanovarianism'' even contaminated "Welsh Jacobinism", from their acceptance of "English Republicanism" to their acceptance of "English Socialism". Of course the great problem is that neither has "Welsh Political Nationalism" and particularly "Welsh Cultural Nationalism" totally escaped their "Hanoverian Honey Trap" either. Prior to that there was the "English Protestant Reformation" and then Cromwellian Puritan Ideology Colonised fully Cymric Consciousness by means of the 'Commission for the Promotion of the Gospel in Wales'(see Web). These are all matters I have dealt with else where but now let this material noted here, set you off on your own journeys of discovery.

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In conclusion where Scott in Rob Roy is "Romantically Sympathetic" to the "Old Jacobite Cause" (which by the way only become a nationalist in reaction caused by the horrors of Hanovarianism in wake of failiure of the revolt of 1745) but by time of Waverly Scott like so many of his country men is going over to the British Hanoverian Union with England. The Irony is then that Scott in preparing a welcome for visit of the English Hanoverian King to Scotland recreates the "Romantic Old Jacobite Past'', Kilts and all etc and even restores the "Honours of Scotland" (national royal treasures). All this plus his "Jacobite Books" creates an ''acceptable'' Scottish Identity which aroused a Patriotic pride upon which eventually are later built the foundations of a political Scottish Nationalism which is always and ever it seems much stronger that "Welsh Nationalism" will ever be. Now why is that? I have my opinions why but I will leave you come to your own, of course do also note that ''Scotts reworked Scottish Identity'' was equally expropriated by British Imperialsm, as in Cymru via formation of Scottish and Welsh Regiments as part of the Imperial British Army. Allowing the ''Celtic Soldiers'' of these ''Mercenary Regiments'' opportunity to express largelly ''Patriotic Protestant Pride'' in observing their Saints days, eating haggis and leeks. Not least in case of Scotland the Kilt became part of this tradition the English Imperialists found quite safe to allow, so those amongst you being persuaded by the Speudo Phoney Patriotism of ''Tartan Taffery'' take great care the blind allyway you are being taken down ok!

Gethin ap Gruffydd.