.Forgotten Heroes.
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If Dic Penderyn is martyr of the 1831 Insurrection then there is no doubt as to whom stands out as it's leader and largely ignored and forgotten hero, but not fortunately by professor Gwyn Alf Williams who in his book makes it clear that one man stands out as an heroic leader of the 1831 Insurrection. That is Lewis Lewis best known in those times and now as Lewsyn yr Heliwr, at one point in his book Gwyn Alf compares Lewsyn to Emiliano Zapata. It is as men of such standing that Lewsyn steps upon the stage of history to become hero of the 1831 Insurrection and through course of events of the Hirwaun and Merthyr Rising to his trial Lewsyn stands out in the crowd. It is perhaps no great mystery of this whole story that at the trial of those to be perceived as ring leaders, it is Lewsyn that the Establishment wants to really nail down, in such a way that he is made out of sight and out of mind. It is sad that after over 175 years since these events of 1831 that Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr has been placed into the shadow corners of our history by the Welsh History establishment and others with political motives. To Welsh Establishments since 1831, of both certain Socialist and Nationalist minds, it has been more profitable to their purpose to present to the people as an example of virtue, the ''passive martyr'', Dic Penderyn. For the truth is that Lewsyn yr Heliwr was far too much percieved to be an example to a down trodden, oppressed and exploited people. Thus Lewis Lewis was to become the forgotten hero of 1831, time we did something about that! Thankfully, Sian Ifans has been working hard to this end in researching the life and times of Lewis Lewis and is now near to completing a book on Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Forgotten Hero. I have seen the draft and it's going to be an excellent and very informative read which will definatly lift Lewis Lewis out of the dark shadows of our history. But more it will make sure he his placed on a plinth along with coutless other Workers Heroes, to be remembered - NOT FORGOTTEN!
If Dic Penderyn is martyr of the 1831 Insurrection then there is no doubt as to whom stands out as it's leader and largely ignored and forgotten hero, but not fortunately by professor Gwyn Alf Williams who in his book makes it clear that one man stands out as an heroic leader of the 1831 Insurrection. That is Lewis Lewis best known in those times and now as Lewsyn yr Heliwr, at one point in his book Gwyn Alf compares Lewsyn to Emiliano Zapata. It is as men of such standing that Lewsyn steps upon the stage of history to become hero of the 1831 Insurrection and through course of events of the Hirwaun and Merthyr Rising to his trial Lewsyn stands out in the crowd. It is perhaps no great mystery of this whole story that at the trial of those to be perceived as ring leaders, it is Lewsyn that the Establishment wants to really nail down, in such a way that he is made out of sight and out of mind. It is sad that after over 175 years since these events of 1831 that Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr has been placed into the shadow corners of our history by the Welsh History establishment and others with political motives. To Welsh Establishments since 1831, of both certain Socialist and Nationalist minds, it has been more profitable to their purpose to present to the people as an example of virtue, the ''passive martyr'', Dic Penderyn. For the truth is that Lewsyn yr Heliwr was far too much percieved to be an example to a down trodden, oppressed and exploited people. Thus Lewis Lewis was to become the forgotten hero of 1831, time we did something about that! Thankfully, Sian Ifans has been working hard to this end in researching the life and times of Lewis Lewis and is now near to completing a book on Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Forgotten Hero. I have seen the draft and it's going to be an excellent and very informative read which will definatly lift Lewis Lewis out of the dark shadows of our history. But more it will make sure he his placed on a plinth along with coutless other Workers Heroes, to be remembered - NOT FORGOTTEN!
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Our views today tend to be distracted by the martyrdom of Dic Penderyn, his innocence or guilt? Myself considers that there is no doubt that Lewsyn is leader of the Insurrection and as Gwyn Alf points out Lewis and others have planned an insurrection. It is thus as leader, plotter and planner of rebellion that Lewsyn is without doubt an hero to the people of the Penderyn, Hirwaun and Merthyr. Myself considers it sensible to state that if Lewsyn was hung there quite possibly would have been very violent retribution and re occurrence of rebellion in perhaps the whole of the industrial areas of 'Blaenau Morgannwg'. For such reason it is poignant that Dic Penderyn is hung given an obviously comradely relationship between the two men. There are many reasons for us to remember the story of Dic Penderyn and he being remembered as a Welsh Working Class Martyr but in this commemoration I feel the time has arrived for us to remember also the other heroes of the 1831 Insurrection, not least Lewis Lewis also known as Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Welsh Workers Hero.
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I am very mindful of fact that 28 other heroes were shot by the soldiers in and around the Castle Inn, Merthyr Tudful on the 3 June 1831, the memory of whom need to be remembered at 12 noon in area of Castle Inn site annually on 3 June. In time hopefully a suitable memorial mural or sculpture should be placed there, not in the too distant future, I would hope. Tommy Cooper can get a fitting memorial tribute in Caerffili but Lewis Lewis, Dic Penderyn on other heroes of 1831 cannot? Something very wrong about that, want to discuss it! Do something about it! Contact me gethin.apgruffyd@ntloworld.com
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I am very mindful of fact that 28 other heroes were shot by the soldiers in and around the Castle Inn, Merthyr Tudful on the 3 June 1831, the memory of whom need to be remembered at 12 noon in area of Castle Inn site annually on 3 June. In time hopefully a suitable memorial mural or sculpture should be placed there, not in the too distant future, I would hope. Tommy Cooper can get a fitting memorial tribute in Caerffili but Lewis Lewis, Dic Penderyn on other heroes of 1831 cannot? Something very wrong about that, want to discuss it! Do something about it! Contact me gethin.apgruffyd@ntloworld.com
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In Spirit of Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Wokers Hero, I have made this baner but a Cymdeithas Lewsyn yr Heliwr awaits greater interest, if interested contact me via email address above.
In Spirit of Lewis Lewis - Lewsyn yr Heliwr - Wokers Hero, I have made this baner but a Cymdeithas Lewsyn yr Heliwr awaits greater interest, if interested contact me via email address above.
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.G.Gruffydd.
