madkins
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BBC.-Wales
Last Updated: Sunday, 20 June, 2004, 10:21 GMT 11:21 UK
Sword of the nation celebrates Glyndwr
Glyndwr first proclaimed himself Prince of Wales in September 1400
Celebrations are taking place in Machynlleth this weekend to mark the 600th anniversary of Owain Glyndwr's first Welsh Parliament.
They will include the blessing of a specially-made sword which is a replica of the one handed to the Welsh warlord by the French king to mark his coronation in June 1404.
The "sword of the nation" will be presented to the town after a service and a procession.
Machynlleth has been chosen to provide the centrepiece of year-long celebrations across
ales for the anniversary of Glyndwr's coronation as Owain IV.
On Sunday the sword was be blessed at Pennal church before being presented to the town council near the old parliament.
Made by
Jason Gardiner, a blacksmith from Ystradgynlais, it is an exact copy of t
he weapon sent by King Charles VI of France.
Pommel
The 44-inch long sword weighs more than eight pounds and was unveiled for private viewing on 1 May at Cardiff Castle.
Paid for by an anonymous Cardiff-based businessman for an undisclosed amount, it is modelled on the one Glyndwr wields on his seal.
On one side of the guard are the words Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales) 1400-16, and around the pommel is the warlord's full name 'Owain ap Gruffydd Fychan'.
The sword was then being shown in a procession around the town before being presented to the mayor.
It is the latest event across Wales to celebrate the anniversary.
In May, Dolgellau Town Council commemorated the setting u
p of a senate in the town shortly before Glyndwr proclaimed his parliament.
Embassy Glyndwr, set up in 1999, has liaised with councils across Wales to promote the event.
Skara Brae,
madkins
Last Updated: Sunday, 20 June, 2004, 10:21 GMT 11:21 UK
Sword of the nation celebrates Glyndwr
Glyndwr first proclaimed himself Prince of Wales in September 1400
Celebrations are taking place in Machynlleth this weekend to mark the 600th anniversary of Owain Glyndwr's first Welsh Parliament.
They will include the blessing of a specially-made sword which is a replica of the one handed to the Welsh warlord by the French king to mark his coronation in June 1404.
The "sword of the nation" will be presented to the town after a service and a procession.
Machynlleth has been chosen to provide the centrepiece of year-long celebrations across
ales for the anniversary of Glyndwr's coronation as Owain IV.
On Sunday the sword was be blessed at Pennal church before being presented to the town council near the old parliament.
Made by
Jason Gardiner, a blacksmith from Ystradgynlais, it is an exact copy of t
he weapon sent by King Charles VI of France.
Pommel
The 44-inch long sword weighs more than eight pounds and was unveiled for private viewing on 1 May at Cardiff Castle.
Paid for by an anonymous Cardiff-based businessman for an undisclosed amount, it is modelled on the one Glyndwr wields on his seal.
On one side of the guard are the words Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales) 1400-16, and around the pommel is the warlord's full name 'Owain ap Gruffydd Fychan'.
The sword was then being shown in a procession around the town before being presented to the mayor.
It is the latest event across Wales to celebrate the anniversary.
In May, Dolgellau Town Council commemorated the setting u
p of a senate in the town shortly before Glyndwr proclaimed his parliament.
Embassy Glyndwr, set up in 1999, has liaised with councils across Wales to promote the event.
Skara Brae,
madkins