The National Library of Wales
The National Library one of six institutions to receive copy of Glyndŵr Pennal Letter
Tue, 31 Mar 09 13:49:00
Today (31 March) the Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones will present limited edition facsimile copies of the Pennal Letter to six Welsh institutions.
The recipients are:
- The National Library of Wales
- St Peter and Vincula Church, Pennal
- The Owain Glyndŵr Centre, Machynlleth
- Prifysgol Glyndŵr
- National Museum-Amgueddfa Cymru
- The National Assembly of Wales
which will ensure that the Pennal Letter will be available for public viewing across Wales.
Alun Ffred Jones said: 'The Pennal Letter is seen as one of the few enduring relics relating to Owain Glyndŵr. It is one of our greatest historical treasures and as such should be viewed and appreciated by the people of Wales. It gives me great pleasure to present these facsimile copies of the Pennal Letter to six Welsh institutions as recognition of the importance of Owain Glyndŵr to our heritage.'
On this day 603 years ago (31 March 1406) Owain Glyndŵr sent a letter, now know as the Pennal Letter, to Charles VI King of France requesting assistance for help in his rebellion against English rule. In it he sets out what he was prepared to concede in return – the main concession being the recognition of Benedict XIII of Avignon as Pope.
The letter was composed during a synod of the Welsh Church at Pennal in 1406 and gives an insight into the ambitions of Glyndŵr and his vision for a new and autonomous Wales, which included establishing an independent church and two universities.
The original letter is held at the Archives Nationales in Paris and the facsimile copies have been prepared by staff at The National Library of Wales led by Julian Thomas, Head of The National Library of Wales’ Conservation Treatment Unit. They are exact facsimile copies of the original and have been created on parchment using specialist ageing techniques and the seal of Glyndŵr has been recreated from moulds of the original.
The original Pennal Letter was last seen in Wales in 2000 at The National Library of Wales’ Owain Glyndŵr Exhibition.
The historical background and text of the Pennal letter can be seen in this document.
Press Officer
Medi Jones-Jackson
01970 632 534
