Glyndŵr: Prince of Wales

Musical by Michael Hugh Phillips

Synopsis

(Songs and Number shown in "exclamation marks")

ACT 1

Scene 1  (1359) A farmhouse, Trefgarn, Pembrokeshire

Owain is born the son of Gruffydd ap Fychan in a farmhouse in Trefgarn, Pembrokeshire, descended from the Princes of Gwynedd, Powys and Deheubarth. There is a huge thunderstorm and people see this as a sign that this is the promised "Son of Prophecy (02,17)" who will save the Welsh nation and return it to independence from the English

Scene 2   (1400) Glyndŵr's Home in Sycharth

1010 Goch is Owain's bard and tells a large part of the story. In "l am Iolo Goch (03)" he tells how Owain's father died when Owain was 13 and how Owain was brought up by nobility, fought in the English army and studied law in the Inns of Court in London.

Owain is married with six sons and six daughters and they live in luxury in Sycharth with a second home in Glyndyfrdwy. He has a wonderful wife, Margaret, but their happiness is shattered when they hear that Lord Grey, a troublesome neighbour has taken some of his lands

Scene 3     The Court of King Henry IV in London

With his eldest sons, Gruffydd and Maredudd, Owain goes to London to ask King Henry IV to return the lands to hirn, but the King awards the lands to Lord Grey. Glyndŵr says that not only has his lands been stolen but the whole of Wales has been stolen by the English. He begs the King to "Give Wales back (04)" but the King will not change his mind.

Scene 4     Glyndŵr's Home in Sycharth

Glyndŵr returns to his wife and family with the news but says that "Right is On Our Side (05,08)" No sooner is he home than there is an order from King Henry to raise an army and join him on a campaign to Scotland. The letter has been delayed by Lord Grey. He apologises to his wife Margaret that he has to leave her again but she promises that "l Will Never Leave You "

Scene 5 King Henry's Camp on return from Scotland

Returning from the disastrous campaign to Scotland, King Henry lays blame on Glyndŵr, who in turns blames Lord Grey. The King says they must settle their differences because he needs a united army to fight Scotland. Glyndŵr invites Lord Grey to his home at Sycharth to discuss their differences but tells him he must not bring more than thirty men.

Scene 6 Glyndŵr's Home at Sycharth

At Sycharth, Lord Grey ridicules the Welsh language and Glyndŵr responds that "Welsh is the Language of Heaven (07)". Iolo Goch comes to warn Glyndŵr that far more than thirty men are hiding in the woods outside. He warns Glyndŵr in Welsh so that Grey cannot understand. Glyndŵr takes his leave and escapes while 1010 Goch sneers at Grey in Welsh.

Scene 7 Glyndŵr's Home at Glyndfrdwy

Glyndŵr arrives at Glyndfrdwy, furious that Grey hes once more tricked him. He repeats that "Right is On Our Side (05,08)" and that he will rebel. His wife, Margaret, asks whether he is sure about this as "We Risk So Much (09,20)", but Glyndŵr is intent and crowns himself "The Prince of Wales" before the assembled crowd. Glyndŵr says "l Will Not Let You Down (11)"

Scene 8 Various Castles across North Wales

They "Storm the Castles (12)" of north-east Wales

Scene 9 Pumlumon and the Battle of Hyddgen

With the victories in North Wales behind them Glyndŵr moves his army south to Pumlummon where, although hugely outnumbered, they trounce the English army in the battle of Hyddgen, "Hyddgen: the Day is Ours"

Scene 10 (1401) The Battle of Tuthill

At the battle of Tuthill, he unfurls his new banner and wins a decisive battle  "Twthill: the day Is Ours (14)"

Scene 11 The Court of King Henry IV in London

King Henry is angry at Glyndŵr's gains and retaliates with anti-Welsh laws.

Scene 12 A Town Square in South Wales

The people think "These Laws Are A Disgrace (15)"

Scene 13 Henry IV's camp near Llandovery and the Welsh hills

Then King Henry marches to Wales. Near Llandovery, he uses Llywelyn ap

Gruffydd Fychan to lead him to Glyndŵr, but instead they are led on a "Wild Goose Chase (16)" When it is discovered, Llywelyn is killed and his body dragged through the streets of Llandovery.

Scene 14  (1402) Glyndŵr's Camp Near Ruthin

A comet is seen in the sky and the people accept it as proof that Glyndŵr is indeed "The Son of Prophecy (17,02)"

Scene 15 The Battle of Ruthin

Glyndŵr wins another decisive battle, "Ruthin: the Day is Ours (18)" where he captures Lord Grey and delights in throwing him into prison — "Vengeance is Sweet (19)".

Scene 16   The Battle of Pilleth (Bryn Glas)

Glyndŵr wins another decisive battle at Pilleth but then learns that both his homes are burnt down confirming that "We Risk So Much (09,20)"

Scene 17 (1404) The Parliament at Machynlleth

Glyndŵr calls a Parliament in Machynlleth and is officially crowned "The Prince of Wales (10,21,38)". After an assassination attempt by Dafydd Gam, Glyndŵr tells them to be vigilant. He promises "l Will Not Let you Down (11)”

Scene 18  (1405) A House in Aberdaron

At Aberdaron, Glyndŵr signs "The Tripartite Agreement (22)" with Edmund Mortimer and The Earl of Northumberland to fight King Henry and divide the country, Mortimer and Northumberland each taking a part of England and Glyndŵr retaining Wales.

Scene 19 (1406) Pennal

At Pennal, Glyndŵr sends "A Letter to the King of France (23)" recognising the French Pope in return for support from France. That he needs help is indication that he is losing his grip on Wales.

Scene 20  (1409) Harlech Castle

Glyndŵr's power has waned and he is left with just one stronghold - Harlech Castle. Then, even this is taken. His wife is captured and she sings "l Must Be Going Away (24)" while he tries to rescue her singing "l Tried But I Failed (25)"

ACT 2

Scene 1 (1409) Outside Harlech Castle

Immediately after his wife and family are captured and taken to the Tower of

London, Glyndŵr repeats that "l Tried But I Failed (25)" and realises that "This Is The Beginning of the End"

Scene 2 (1410) Rampage through England

His son, Maredudd inspires Glyndŵr to make one Last Ride and, together with reinforcements from Scotland, they "Storm the Country (27)" attacking Shrewsbury and Oswestry. However the success is short-lived and three of his main supporters are executed.

Scene 3 (1413) A Hide-out in the Welsh Hills

Glyndŵr retreats to a hide-out in the Welsh hills where he also learns that his eldest son, Gruffydd has died in the Tower of London. He admits that "l Have Let Them Down (28)" His second son, Maredudd, is still determined and goes to London to try and rescue his mother and family who are in the Tower.

Scene 4 The Court of the new King, Henry V in London

In London, Henry IV is dead and "There' a New King (29)" Henry V. He is fair in his dealings and sends pardons to all who fought against his father, including Owain Glyndŵr.

Scene 5 A Hide-out in the Welsh Hills

The pardon is delivered to Glyndŵr in his hiding in the Welsh hills, but he says "l Don't Want His Pardon (30,33)". His son Madog then brings him news that his daughter Catherine and her children have died in the Tower of London and once more he admits "l Have Let Them Down (28)".

Scene 6 Kentchurch Court, home of Glyndŵr's daughter Alice

He decides to move closer to his remaining family and goes to live near Kentchurch. "There's a Rumour Going Round (32)" that the priest, called Sion Kent, is actually Owain Glyndŵr in disguise.

Scene 7 1415 Monnington, home of Glyndŵr's daughter Margaret

His son, Maredudd, returns from London and bring a second pardon from King Henry. Glyndŵr says once again that "l Don't Want His Pardon (30,33)"

Then Maredudd brings in his mother, Margaret, who has been released by King Henry. They are reunited - "We're Back Together Again (34)". Then Glyndŵr tells her she has come back to very little, because he has let them all down. She replies, and is joined by the others, that he has not let them down but that "You Made Wales A Nation Again (35,37)"

He tells them that because he will not accept a pardon if will be too risky for him to stay there. He says he must vanish into the mists of time but that "l Will Rise Again (36)"

Scene 8 Wales in the 21 ^st Century
1010 Goch tells how Glyndŵr watched from a distance, through the centuries, as Wales went through times of hardship and tribulation, of good times and bad. Then the Welsh started to have a new pride in themselves and the road to independence started again - a Welsh Assembly, triumph in sport, entertainment, literature, arts and politics - and all the people of the 21st Century looked back with admiration at the inspiration of Owain Glyndŵr and how "You Made Us A Nation Again (35,37)"

Finale:    They end with a triumphant "Glyndŵr: The Prince of Wales (10,21,38)"