The Tale of Cynan ap Rhys

Historian’s note: I play the part of a Welsh man, a professional warrior, living at the beginning of the 13th century, under Llywelyn the Great several decades prior to the annexation of Wales by England .

I, Cynan ap Rhys, was born in the great principality of Gwenydd, which is in the north west of Cymru, or Wales. Gwenydd has been known for centuries as the most powerful Principality of Cymru, and the place from which are found the most skilled spearmen. I however cannot claim to be of true Cymric blood for though I bear the name, I am of mixed blood Norman and Cymric.

I was fortunate enough to be born the son of Rhys ap Gryfudd, a member of Prince Rhodri ab Owain’s personal Teulu, the group of Uchelwar (professional mounted warriors) who fight for the Prince. As an Uchelwar, he was able to provide well for my family and I. We lived a relatively peaceful and happy life in Gwenydd for the entirety of my childhood. I learned the trade of my father, in order that I might become a soldier and fight for the Prince as my father did before me. Alas it was not be!

I was too old to be a boy yet not quite a man when our Prince and his nephew made battle. I asked to accompany my Father and older brother into battle even though I did not yet have my own horse. My father, knowing that the battlefield is no place for a youngster, and knowing that I was not gifted with the bow, bade me to stay behind.

The battle's outcome was unfavourable, for our Prince's nephew, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth had forged an alliance with the English King and was accompanied by Norman heavy cavalry.

In the end our former Prince fled and his nephew became our new prince and expanded his land. We were fortunate that this new prince did not distain the idea of employing his uncle's former Teulu to add to his own.

Over the course of the following year, however, it became clear that this new rule would bring us hardships yet. Though he had taken the service of his uncle’s Teulu, my father said that he did not trust the men who had served his uncle, and kept counsel of only those who had been with him before. Indeed all the sons of the men who served his uncle who asked to join his Teulu were turned away the following year. Instead he employed mercenaries from other principalities to the south to fill his ranks, or even promising youth from the militias. And so it was that when I became old enough to be a man and join my Prince’s Teulu, I too was turned away.

Soon I was too old to remain at home, it was that my father who had trained me to the last day as though I would one day ride with him in the prince’s Teulu, gave me a horse at great expense and armour that had once belonged to his brother who had fallen in battle years before. He told me, “Your brother and I have taught you to fight as well as the son of any prince. Your mother has taught you right and wrong, and etiquette that you can address either prince or Norman baron. You have the weapons, armour, and steed you need to be a warrior. Now all you must do is to find a master who will credit you properly for what you can give to him and reward you properly.” And thus I became a mercenary, traveling from one place to another to earn by bread by my sword.

In the years that followed I lived in Norman lands and Served Norman lords as often as I lived among my native countrymen serving the Lords of Cymru. In those years I saw many things that I would not have seen remaining at home and met many people that I would not have otherwise met. It was not a rich or easy life, but I managed to keep a horse, armour with a good Norman helm, and a good sword, but most importantly kept myself fed. As a traveler, I found myself sometimes taking on some shadow of the role of a bard. I took an interest in the trading of tales and I sometimes earned my bread by bringing tidings and telling tales. Tales were also of course valued on long military campaigns and at times brought my companions some respite, though I was certainly never true bard or troubadour.

At length I came again to the lands of my birth. My homecomings had become infrequent yet always happy occasions. This time I found that my father had grown too old to care for the life of a soldier and had retired. Indeed it had been a long time. My other brother however still served the Prince. Talking late into the night my family urged me to seek service to the Prince. They said that as a well-established warrior I would be welcome to join the prince’s Teulu, for they had suffered losses in the last year in battle. I followed their advice the next day and discovered they had spoken truly. The Prince, who had once been indifferent towards me when I had been younger, now welcomed me in his hall. I was invited to take part in a tournament the following day. In the next day’s tournament I fought as well as ever I had, and won the princely attention I needed. That night dining again in the prince’s hall I was invited to work for the Prince. Naturally I accepted and I have remained in my homeland ever since, living the life of a proper Uchelwar.

The passing of the last year has brought me even further good fortune. For it was that in the spring one year past, I took part in a small local tournament. Here a Norman, Lord Mathew Marshal, and myself were the main attraction. Over the course of the day in this village it was that I first met a maiden named Amber Alwyn. And it was that fate smiled upon us and she has become my lady and I her champion and she has been an inspiration to me ever since.