Reform or Revolution? What has been called and gone down in history as the Merthyr Rising of 1831, was to a great degree a revolt of the Iron Workers of the 'Head of the Valleys' region of north Glamorgan and to a smalle degree of northern Gwent. So much has been focused on the actual rising in Merthyr's ''Red Week'', that the fact that Hirwaun was the main centre of the, if not of ''Revolutionaries'', then certainly of ''Primitive Rebels''. Further forgotten is fact of ''insurrectionary activity'' being also centred on Aberdar (last Scotch Cattle activity was reported here during a strike in the 1850's) also in Cefn Coed y Cymmer, the ''barrio'' of a ''Welsh Workers Army'' during the seven days of the greatest Welsh Insurrection since that of Owain Glyndwr in the 15th century (see Embassy Glyndwr, Owain Glyndwr Communicates and Cenedl Glyndwr Web Sites and Blogs on the Web). Like wise much has been forgotten, lost or even hidden regards the ''heroic Leader'' of the 1831 Insurrection Lewis Lewis aka 'Lewsyn yr Heliwr', later to be transported to Austrailia for the part he played in leading this workers revolt. A lost history not only in Welsh History but also in World history. Something we just got to do something about. If your interested in helping to do this, then read on and then possibly contact us, at lewsyn.yrheliwr@ntlworld.com.
The Pentre Penderyn - 'Plotters Prologue'
A Introduction To The Hirwaun/Merthyr Insurrection 1831.
The of 30th and 31st May 1831, at respectively Twyn y Waun and Hirwaun Common may be fully informed of if you read my '1831 Primer' (to be published in this blog in due course), suffice to say with Thomas Llywelyn’s later rally on Hirwaun Common, followed by his march on Aberdar. Lewis Lewis and other radicals ''Siezed the Time'' to march on the court of request, we then witness discontent brewing into wide spread disturbances that would by 1 June 1831 burst fourth as the first major Welsh Insurrection since time of Owain Glyndwr. It is common amongst Welsh historians who have inherited the Victorian historians ''respectable crachach mantle'' to be almost apologetic for the Welsh ''having a rush of blood to the head'', as the English chroniclers often accused us of having in medieval times.
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The same case is made for Owain Glyndŵr as it is for the 1831 Insurrectionists, say nothing that promotes idea it may have been ''Plotted and Planned'' in advance. Having spent many years of studying the Owain Glyndwr Insurrection I can assure the reader that ''revolt'' it was very much planned and possibly for at least two years in advance. After but limited renewed study of the Insurrection 1831 I am slowly coming to the opinion that this too, was very much ''Plotted and Planned'' in advance. I am not going to make a case for this now, as I have myself more studies to take aboard but I want you to read and study, discuss and debate, to come to your own opinions – I am as often as not perhaps being a ''Devils advocate'' and thus also draw your attention as much to Lewis Lewis as toward Dic Penderyn. So on with the ''Red Revolution'' or at least the Insurrection that is the Hirwaun/Aberdar/Merthyr Rising of 1831 but first a visit into the world of the 'Plotters Prologue'.
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For Further Information on Insurrection 1831 History, request material from lewsyn at email addresses below. The Web is of course also good for all information mentioned in this document.
For Further Information on Insurrection 1831 History, request material from lewsyn at email addresses below. The Web is of course also good for all information mentioned in this document.
1831 ALIVE! A ''Plotters Prologue'' Proposed Annual Commemorative Festival for Penderyn and Hirwaun running into MERTHYR RISING 1831 RED WEEK - RED COMMUNE FESTIVAL. The propsed Penderyn and Hirwaun (inc Aberdar?) taking place annually over the May Spring Bank Holiday whilst Merthyr Rising 1831 Commemoration would take place annually from 1 - 7 June.
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Is our attempt to establish a '1831 Life and Times Living History Initiative', as an Educational and Leisure Experience. Optimistically we appeal to any one who may want to be involved in a proposed ''Plotters Prologue'' event, and is into Cymric traditional music and folk dancing, and who would like to ''show case for free'', then please do, at least for time being informerly. Noting that the 'Beer Gardens' of both the Red Lion Inn and Lamb Inn are ideal venues for some ''autonomous impromtu cultural activity'' , this event at moment being in main little more than an informal Spring BH gathering of 1831 History Enthusiasts. However, note for reasons of safty (The two roads to Red Lion Inn are very narrow) , I would suggest that the Red Lion Inn (no photo available) and area, be an afternoon venue, see photo below of Saint Cynog's Church, which is on hill overlooking Pentre Penderyn, the Red Lion Inn is directly opposite..
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The Lamb Inn location in Pentre Penderyn is more suitable as an evening venue at any time over any annual May Spring Bank Holiday weekend. See pic Below:
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1831 MEMORIAL INSURRECTION MEMORIAL WALK - PENDERYN TO HIRWAUN. Photos below are of myself pioneering this walk on Spring BH Monday 2006, to mark 175th anniversary of the 1831 Insurrection - 2006. (Watch out for the ''kid bikers'').
1831 MEMORIAL INSURRECTION MEMORIAL WALK - PENDERYN TO HIRWAUN. Photos below are of myself pioneering this walk on Spring BH Monday 2006, to mark 175th anniversary of the 1831 Insurrection - 2006. (Watch out for the ''kid bikers'').
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Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Part of the former Penderyn Mineral Railway, the 2.6km section runs from Pontpren to Penyard road on the National Park border in Hirwaun. The former railway line follows the old packhorse route between Penderyn and Hirwaun, along which the quarry company built their tramway to carry limestone to ironworks in the Valleys. This was originally drawn by horses, and later by steam locomotives. Since the railway closed the route suffered years of neglect and has been returned to its former glory by the BBNPA. Further and full details can be obtained via the web from Brecon Beacons National Park Authority. They do indeed have a leaflet on the pathway between Penderyn and Hirwaun. If you would like to contact them on (01874) 623366, or by email at mountain.centre@Brecon.org, giving postal address, they would be happy to send one to you by post.
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Ways You Can Help Us:
Notice we have not asked you for money, we are quite happy to volunteer up our own time and money but we would appreciate you doing what you can to aid and assist us in this 1831 Initiative, as follows: 1: Any one who wants to get involved in organising anything to contribute to above as basis of an annual 1831 'Life and Times' Pentre Penderyn Spring May BH Festival, do make contact with any offers of help or advice. 2: Ccould you put basic info on to web sites, on 'Blogs' and into forums etc? Plus of course inform others of this blog, or make a link to it. 3: The 1831 Memorial walk could be organised for groups tp participate in if wished. 4: Next stop for 1831 Insurrection Commemoration will be at Hirwaun on and about 31 May annually, chiefly a RED FLAG RISING ''Symbolic Ceremony'', maybe? 5: Merthyr Rising 1831 has it's own annual commemoration, mainly held on the Sunday, which we support but other wise we are making our own contribution with promotion of visits to Cefn Coed y Cymmer, and wreath laying ceremony in memory of 'Bloody Friday' 3 June 1831 at 'Plas 3 Mehefin 1831', by site of the Castle Inn, where the massacre took place. 6: and then a 'RED '1831 Alive! Life and Times' RED PIC NIC at Parc Cyfarthfa, following visit to Cyfarthfa Museum. In time we hope this could become a major festival, it's been done before, organised by WLP and WTUC, why not again?
Ways You Can Help Us:Notice we have not asked you for money, we are quite happy to volunteer up our own time and money but we would appreciate you doing what you can to aid and assist us in this 1831 Initiative, as follows: 1: Any one who wants to get involved in organising anything to contribute to above as basis of an annual 1831 'Life and Times' Pentre Penderyn Spring May BH Festival, do make contact with any offers of help or advice. 2: Ccould you put basic info on to web sites, on 'Blogs' and into forums etc? Plus of course inform others of this blog, or make a link to it. 3: The 1831 Memorial walk could be organised for groups tp participate in if wished. 4: Next stop for 1831 Insurrection Commemoration will be at Hirwaun on and about 31 May annually, chiefly a RED FLAG RISING ''Symbolic Ceremony'', maybe? 5: Merthyr Rising 1831 has it's own annual commemoration, mainly held on the Sunday, which we support but other wise we are making our own contribution with promotion of visits to Cefn Coed y Cymmer, and wreath laying ceremony in memory of 'Bloody Friday' 3 June 1831 at 'Plas 3 Mehefin 1831', by site of the Castle Inn, where the massacre took place. 6: and then a 'RED '1831 Alive! Life and Times' RED PIC NIC at Parc Cyfarthfa, following visit to Cyfarthfa Museum. In time we hope this could become a major festival, it's been done before, organised by WLP and WTUC, why not again?
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If you can make contribution of any kind to advance of above, let us know how ok!
If you can make contribution of any kind to advance of above, let us know how ok!
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Lotta Continua!
Lotta Continua!
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