Y Mab Darogan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Y Mab Darogan (English: The Destined or Prophesised Son) is a messianic figure of Welsh and Cornish legend, destined to force the Anglo-Saxons (English) out of Britain and reclaim it for its Celtic inhabitants. A number of figures have been called Y Mab Darogan throughout history.

Contents 1 Historical figures 1.1 Arthur 1.2 Owain Glyndŵr 1.3 Henry VII of England

[edit] Historical figures

[edit] Arthur

Arthur, the legendary leader of Britons, was celebrated throughout Wales as the victor of the Battle of Mons Badonicus, which halted the Saxon advance for over a generation. Though his fame spread throughout Europe, he was not able to reverse the trend of Anglo-Saxon conquest for long or push them back to the coast and force them back to Old Saxony and Angeln. Centuries after his death, a legend emerged that Arthur was not really dead, but was resting on the Isle of Avalon until the time came for him to return to his people and lead them to victory. Later writers associated the return of Arthur with Y Mab Darogan.

[edit] Owain Glyndŵr

Owain Glyndŵr was a prince descended from the Kings of Powys who led a revolt against English rule in Wales. His forces even pushed into England and came close to achieving his goal of Welsh independence. He was called Y Mab Darogan in his own day but was ultimately defeated and subsequently disappeared.

[edit] Henry VII of England

When the Welshman Henry Tudor seized the throne of England after the defeat and death of Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485 his supporters claimed him as Y Mab Darogan, a move that won the king many supporters in Wales where he was already popular figure. His reign over England was believed by some to be the fulfilment of the prophecy; a belief that he actively encouraged by naming his firstborn son |Arthur Tudor!

Prince Arthur came of age as Prince of Wales in 1501 and after marrying governed the Principality from its defacto capital at Ludlow and reversed some of the most oppressive laws established in Wales at the defeat of Owain Glyndwr. However, tragically he died only one year later and England never saw another king named Arthur. His younger brother Henry became Prince of Wales but this son had been brought up in London and after he succeeded his father to the throne as Henry VIII largely ignored Wales. The Acts of Union with Wales were passed under his rule between 1536 and 1543 and Wales in legal terms was absorbed by the Kingdom of England.