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.A Historical Archive of material regards the National Consciousness raising movement COFIWN from 1972 - 1986.


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It should be considered as a priority that there is held another National Remembrance Service in Caerdydd, and this may be done in and around City Hall, Caerdydd in which there is a statue of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Such should be organised for 11th December which this year of 2007 falls on a Tuesday.
.Times Given Are A Rough Time Table Only.
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The 1282 War of Independence began on Palm Sunday 1282, with an attack on Castell Penarlag (Hawarden) by the Cymry led by Dafydd ap Gruffydd brother of Llywelyn III. Dafydd of course was traitor to his own brother, having sided with the English in the war of 1277. However, by 1282 Dafydd and other ''turncoat'' Welsh Lords and Chiefs who had previously sided with Edward I, were by 1282 well discontented with their treatment by the English King and the Anglo - Normans rulers of Wales. We do not know if Llywelyn III was involved in the plotting which would bring about a penulitmate War of Independence, but his brother seized the initiative and on eve of Palm Sunday 1282 was gathering his forces at his castle of Caergwle. Early the next morning, well before dawn in an awful storm, the Welsh set out to attack the English not so far away at Hawarden and did much killing of English, and damage to the castle there. Thus began a war, that would end in great tradgety for many of native participants and witness the collapse of the Royal House of Gwynedd, with the conquest of Wales during the years 1282 - 83. I remind here, that what ever we may think of Dafydd III, he began this war and it is as much the history of the war we are commemorating, to in particular remind that it did not end with the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd at Aberedw. We must keep in mind the fact that following the death of Llywelyn III, his brother became Dafydd III 'Tywysog Cymru', and led the Welsh in the final months of the war, well into 1283. Not to take such into account only serves to make us fail to remember, that the Welsh on a number of military fronts made gallant and heroic resistance to the overwealming might of the Anglo - Norman Army, particularly as they advanced into Gwynedd from Y Perfeddwlad. There is no point in my continuing this history as you will find much on the web that will serve to educate and inform you very well, plus there are a number of books on the subject that will serve the same end. It is more my purpose to encourage individuals, families and communities to organise commemoration events as; exhibitions in local Libraries, and field trips. Not least make every effort to support my I'r Gad: Welsh Battle Field Campaign, by seeking to ensure that Battle sites associated with the 1282 - 83 war are memorialised and otherwise marked. In some instance I would propose patriots hold 'REMEMBERENCE RALLIES', maybe at Aberystwyth and Llandeilo this year and Castell y Bere and Caernarfon in 2008. Ymlaen:


Pobl Llywelyn III Gwynedd, what about a 'Rememberence Rally' at Moel y Don, on the Menai Straits. Hold Tachwedd 1282. Then of course there will be events in central Cymru in Mis Rhagfyr at Aberedw and Abaty Cwm Hir, also in Caernarfon and Aberffraw/Llys Rhosyr. For 1283 - 2008, I would suggest Castle y Bere for a 'Rally of Rememberence', and for 1284 - 2009 Rhuddlun - Rally of Rememberence. That's called thinking ahead with some patriotic proposals for you all to think about.
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I think Cadw should organise another ''Festival of Castles'' in 2008 but this time around telling the true story of Conquest and Colonisation from a Cymric Point of View. You ask them ok!



The Best and Beast of a detailed book is that, by Historian Beverly Smith, excellent but gets the death of Llywelyn III wrong, follows the tradional English falsified account. However, still a must read as it is so full of information, read this and you will be an expert on Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and the War of 1282 - 83.
If you cannot cope with that, try the one below? which is a neat little illustrated booklet for the kiddies. Pretty good illustrations particulary see the ''Cut Clean'' families visiting Cilmeri cenotaph.
Follow in the pioneering footsteps of Cofiwn.
G.ap Gruffydd.
THE IVY



During my period of self imposed exile in Ireland, I attended the annual Wolfe Tone commemoration and became aware of Irish Republican Commemoration bodies as 'The National Graves Association' and other such which organised events to remember Republican History, Heroes and Martyrs. It was thus in Ireland I first concieved the idea of a Welsh National Commemoration Association later to be renamed 'Cofiwn' at suggestion of Co - Founder, Eurig ap Gwilym.
However, it was not until I returned to Wales and happened to watch a TV drama about the Irish Parliamentarian Parnell that I was made aware that his supporters after his death took to wearing an Ivy Leaf in his rememberance. This got me thinking and looking up 'Ivy' in a book, I discovered it was an ancient Greek 'Symbol of Rememberance'. All this reminded me that Llywelyn's head was ''mockingly'' crowned with Ivy suggested to me that the Ivy was the perfect badge for Cofiwn.

Since Cofiwn has used 'The Ivy' in a number of ways as shown in photo above, the small 'Ivy Crosses'. yes in imitation of the British Legion 'Poppy Crosses' and why not, if ideas are good no matter where from then use them to your own purpose. Cofiwn also encouraged the setting up annually in December 'Cofia 1282 Ivy Cross Rememberance Gardens' as near as possible to the gateways of as many 'Anglo - Norman Castles' in Cymru as is possible, this with exhibition work is what patriots may continue to carry out in the communities today. Of course major 'Cofia 1282 Rememberance Gardens' are annually established in December at important historic sites associated with Llywelyn III as at Cilmeri, Rhosferig and Parc ar Irfon also at Aberedw and Abaty Cwm Hir in Central Cymru. Whilst in Gwynedd such are set up at 'Cofeb 1282' in Caernarfon and at Llys Rhosyr and Aberffraw on Ynys Mon. Hopefully in this year of the 725th anniversary of 1282 a major effort will be made by patriots all over the land to establish such 'Cofia 1282 Rememberance Gardens' in as many communities as possible plus please 'Cofia 1282' Exhibitions in local community centres, Libraries and schools etc. For further advice please contact myself at following Email address: gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com

However, it has been our encouraging of people to wear an 'The Ivy' annually, as from the 1 Rhagfyr to 11 Rhagfyr and for rest of December if wished that has really caught the patriotic imagination. It is not only a good way of expressing sympathy with the memory of the murder of Llywelyn III but when people enquire why 'The Ivy' is worn, it is ''an opening'' for Patriots to inform on 'Hanes 1282'.
To such end, aware as we are of how successful the ''Poppy Appeal'' and 'Rememberance 11 November Sunday' is promoted not least by media people on TV, we have long appealed for 'Media Cymru. Wales' Representatives to do the same. Fair play and credit where credit is due, the only one to ever do so, as far as we are aware is none other than Sian Lloyd. I cannot help but wonder if Sian got so much flack for this from her bosses at S4C that it motivated her to quit and become the most famouse of ''British'' weather girls.

Well we are many years down the road now and despite Sians flirtations with SWS/Stiffyn Parri and that obviosly not so ''Limp Lembit'', I still have a patriotic ''soft spot'' for Sian and wish her well. As after all she did have the patriotic conviction and courage to wear 'The Ivy' whilst others feared to tread that patriot path in our wonderful ''Welsh Media Land''. Right on Sian! Come back all is forgiven! See below what Clive Betts reported and what S4C had to say about Sian Lloyd's ''wee'' patriotic gesture in 2007. Please take note ''Welsh Media People'' whilst you read the below, 2007 is 725th anniversary of the death of LLywelyn ap Gruffyd at Aberedw. Well! this time around, how many of you will dare to wear 'The Ivy' on 11 Rhagfyr as you wear 'The Poppy' on 11 Tachwedd? Inc maybe Huw Edwards up in London, after all he makes good money out of presenting Welsh History Programmes for TV WALES/CYMRU.
Fin! For Now but will be back OK!




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Caernarfon Castle with view of the platform from which the English ''Princes of Wales'' are presented to the



Note: Mistake in Brut, first entry should read 1282.
Enlarged Programme detail below:





Following on the succesful Welsh attack on Castell Penarlag, the Cymry of Ceredigion over Easter 1282 took Castell Aberystwyth. Perhaps opportunity for Gwladgarwyr Ceredigion to hold a commemoration, if they do and they send me information I shall post information to this Cofiwn Archive Blog. Well that's it for now, my thanks to Sian for publishing this posting, please note if requiring any further information over the coming weeks please contact Sian at Embassy Glyndwr. Otherwise, I may usually be contacted at gethin.apgruffydd@ntlworld.com
NB: Please note that I nor my patriotic work has any association with 'Balchder Cymru', indeed I disassociate myself from that ''body'' completly and totally. Whilst preferring that B.C. refrains from ''hi - jacking'' any events, ideas or initiatives and images etc for their own use, I of course do not seek to hinder their ''members'' from enjoying the history I place before all patriots nor indeed attending events I may be organising but as individuals they would be welcome but not as ''representatives'' of the aforementioned ''Body'' of dubious origins and devious behaviour. As for instance not listing any ''officers'' nor offering any real clarity as to their real object and aims which presents it self as being ''Republican'' but then does nought but commemorate events associated with the ''Welsh Aristocracy''. If you have ever visited the various web sites and blogs of Adam Phillips and 'Balchder Cymru' and do not understand their ''Modus Oprandi'', then indeed you are 'POLITICALLY CHALLENGED' as they are. Republican? Come Of It Adam! further comments on this matter will be posted on my CILMERI'40 COMMEMORATION 2006 blog in a special 'Attenda Feature' in due course. Spread the word, the times they are exciting?


However, Cofiwn did much work and achieved a great deal in the years of it’s existence, much that we did is now perhaps forgotten, sometimes claimed by others and much being ‘’Stalinised’’ out of our history (No! not by the English but by our own Quisling establishment). Thus this COFIWN ARCHIVE Blog in main is to tell the Cofiwn Story but unfortunately limited as otherwise we would need a website to tell the full story. Before I consider a web site I am looking to see if it is possible first to publish a ‘’Scrapbook’’ style ‘Hanes Cofiwn’ much along the same lines as Gwilym Tudur produced on Hanes Cymdeithas yr Iaith Cymraeg. However, this is a really heavy duty project and would take some time to do, especially if we at same time work to compliment with a DVD of our Cofiwn Film Archive, to tell the story of ‘Hanes Cofiwn’. So this year to ‘’kick off’’ this new Blog, as it is an important anniversary year I shall start at the high point in ‘Hanes Cofiwn’ with the story of the 1282 – 1982 Commemoration., Not least I shall reproduce Cilmeri 1982 archive material.

Posting Post Script:
Patriots, especially so called "Welsh Republicans" of Cymru Rydd, Balchder Cymru and not least the last of those ''Old Republicans'' of WRM's I & II why not debate the below in your forums.....
