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Owain Glyndŵr was a Welshman who rebelled against English control in the early 1400s. He fought against the English prince Henry (later King Henry V) and became a hero in Wales. His name is also spelled Owen Glendower or Owain Ap Gruffudd.

Owain Glyndŵr was a descendant of the princes of Powys, a region of Wales. He inherited several manors in northern Wales. Glyndŵr studied law in London and also served with the forces of Henry Bolingbroke. Bolingbroke fought against England’s King Richard II and later became King Henry IV.

When Glyndŵr returned to Wales, he found that many people were unhappy about English rule over their country. England had taken control of Wales about 100 years before that. In the meantime, Glyndŵr was having a disagreement with a neighbouring family over land ownership. The neighbour involved supported the English crown and aimed to turn the King against Glyndŵr. In September 1400 the problem had escalated until it caused an uprising in northern Wales. This uprising spread across the country as Glyndŵr decided to fight for Welsh independence.

At first Glyn Dwr and his forces were successful in their uprising. They captured Conwy Castle in 1401 and won the Battle of Pilleth in 1402. By 1404 Glyn Dwr had gained control of most of Wales. He pronounced himself the prince of Wales and started to form an independent Welsh Parliament. He also began to make his own plans for foreign policy. But King Henry’s son, Prince Henry, continued to fight the Welsh rebels and soon won some important battles. By 1408, Prince Henry had captured many of the areas Glyn Dwr had claimed, and won back most of Wales for England.

Glyndŵr continued to fight for his cause until about 1412. After this nothing certain is known about him. He is believed to have died in about 1416.

With the rise of Welsh nationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries, many people in Wales rediscovered the significance of Glyndŵr's fight for Welsh freedom. He is now a highly celebrated part of Welsh culture and he is remembered with statues and monuments as well as pub and street names commemorating him. Importantly, he is remembered as the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales.

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