Siwan (play)

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Siwan is the title of a play written in the Welsh language by Saunders Lewis, first produced in 1956. The first English language translation of the play (sometimes known by the alternative title 'The King of England’s Daughter') appeared in 1960.

The play is centred on Joan, Lady of Wales, the illegitimate daughter of King John of England and her marriage to Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (also known as Llywelyn Fawr or Llywelyn the Great). It is set at the royal home Garth Celyn, on the north coast of Gwynedd at Easter in 1230. In the play William de Braose, a young Marcher Lord, is discovered with Siwan in Llywelyn's bedchamber. De Braose is hanged for adultery at the foot of Garth Celyn.

In Saunders Lewis earlier work including the play Blodeuwedd (1948), he had been increasingly using the themes and characters of Welsh myths and historical events as the inspiration for his work. He continued the use of medieval romantic themes in Siwan which also deals with adultery, but in contrast to Blodeuwedd also involves the themes of reconciliation, forgiveness, and marital harmony.

Siwan together with Blodeuwedd are considered as the 'canonical examples of Welsh language drama' (Llewellyn-Jones, 2002)
and are regularly performed in Welsh theatres and on Welsh language radio and television.

As noted above the play is based on historical fact, and the correspondance between Llywelyn and De Braose's widow Eva is preserved in the Public Record Office, London. The place of execution is remembered in local tradition as 'Gwern y Grog'.

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