Time to brush away ‘feathers’ duster?
SIR – In response to the letter by Clem Thomas entitled A Symbol of the nation’s conqueror (January 17) we at Embassy Glyndwr wish to make clear that while we have made our Baner Glyndwr Campaign a priority, we wholeheartedly agree that ridding ourselves of the despicable three feathers and its motto of “I serve” should also command an overriding patriotic priority in a post-devolution Cymru which continues to strive, hopefully, as vigorously for independence as the Scots and Catalans.
Space here does not allow for us to disclose the entire history as to how we got lumbered with this badge and motto, suffice to say that we cannot blame the English this time as it was the London Welsh of the Ancient Society of Britons in 1715 (during the year of the first Jacobite revolt) and later, the Cymrodorion shortly after the later Jacobite Revolt of 1745, who adopted the three feathers and the motto I serve. Why? Simply because “Uncle Taffy” was more than eager to express loyalty to the English Crown as a means of self interest and advancement, and the same cultural capitalist class continued in this loyalty to the English Crown in the 19th century for, essentially, the same reasons. For a prime example of this slavish servility, one has but to read the Book Wales: In the Story of Nations written by OM Edwards, who concludes his book with the following statement:
In the developing patriotism of the British Colonies, the Welshman has been among the foremost in devotion and energy. The first period of Welsh history ends with the poet’s lament for its fallen princes; the second ends with the poet’s vision of a future of more self-conscious life and of greater service. The motto of Wales is to be that of its prince – Ich dien...”
Ich dien is German for I serve and OM Edwards was referring to the English Prince of Wales who was, by then, using this badge and motto as an official heraldic badge. If we are to be serious in regards to becoming an independent nation, then we must get serious in regards to ridding ourselves of such symbolic chains of conquest from around our ankles and, as is the case with the Richmond Rag, Embassy Glyndwr has campaigned for years for our fellow Cymry to use the Glyndwr Four Lions Rampant badge instead of the Ich dien feather duster.
We are delighted that Clem has, also, called for unity to realise this aim and we hope as many patriotic Cymry as possible take advantage of the international rugby season get rid of or, cover the three feathers on their WRU shirts with the Four Lions Rampant and the logo Juratus Oweyn (I’m faithful to Owain) a logo that inspired and meant a great deal to Grav, the great Ray Gravell.
Siân Ifan
CEO Embassy Glyndwr, Abertawe
31 Oct 2013 - NEWYDDION LLYSGENHADAETH GLYNDWR ... Our work for Embassy Glyndwr will hence be on hold for a good while as Sian ... ahead on archiving Embassy Glyndwr Material to deposit in our Ty Cenedl Collection at NLW.
newllys.blogspot.com/
GLYNDWR 660: 1354 - 2014 Blwyddyn Goffa Genedigaeth Owain ...
glyndwr660.blogspot.com/
it's a boy - owain ap gruffydd ...
glyndwr660.blogspot.com/.../its-boy-owain-ap-gruffydd-fychan-our.html
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