Commemorating two great landmarks in British History
Magna Carta and The Battle of Waterloo
Eight hundred years ago on 15 June 1215,
King John was forced by the Barons to sign the Great Charter - Magna Carta
Magna Carta
At least thirteen copies were made, although only four remain in existence. Each contained sixty-three Clauses written in a long unbroken text in abbreviated latin on vellum using quill pens, each copy being sealed with a great seal using besswax and resin. Only three of the original clauses remain in UK law today. Magna Carta clarified the Medieval relationship between the King and the twenty-five Barons, but the rights of ordinary people were not mentioned or probably even thought of. Nevertheless, it was the start of a long journey on the road to democracy.
By 1215, The Manor of Oystermouth (roughly commensurate to the Mumbles Community Council area of today) had become part of the Seigniory of Gower and its lands, had been colonised by Flemish emigrées who had left their native lands originally due to 'an overwhelming encroachment of the sea' back around 1108, had settled in the West Country, were loyal to the King and were now resettled in South and West Gower, including the Parish of Oystermouth, with its twelfth-century Castle and Church .
Within thirty years of the Battle of Hastings, the Normans had commenced their infiltration into the more fertile areas of the old Commote of Gwŷr (and the other southernareas of Pembrokeshire and Glamorganshire). Gwŷr was gradually organized into the Marcher Lordship of Gower (divided into Gower Anglicana and Wallicana) with twelve manors under feudal tenure. In 1203, King John, in the fourth year of his reign had given, 'the whole of the land of Gower with its appurtenances in Wales to his beloved and faithful William de Breos [sic].'
The Battle of Waterloo
18 June 2015 marks the bicentenary of Britain's great victory at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, when the Duke of Wellington's forces beat Napoleon's army, bringing to an end the long series of Napoleonic wars (1803-1815). Three men with Mumbles connections are known to have taken part in the various hostilities.
The Battle of Waterloo
by William Sadler II (c.1782 – 1839)On 8 July 1815, The Cambrian reported that 'Lieutenant Frank Warde, the nephew of Lieutenant General Warde of Clyne Castle has had a miraculous escape at Waterloo'.
Another, William Collier had served with a Cavalry Regiment, the 10th (Prince of Wales's own) Regiment of Light Dragoons (Hussars), which took part in the Battle and helped rout the French cavalry. This was the first battle in which all ranks were given a campaign medal. He then came to live in Mumbles, married a local girl, Ann Phillips and became the Keeper of Oystermouth Castle, Schoolmaster, Postman and a member of the Glamorgan County Militia.
Waterloo
Painting by Denis Dighton: British Hussars of Viviene's Brigade.Yet another, is illustrated by the traumatic and sad ending of Benjamin, the son of the Landlady of the New Mermaid, Jane Stephens. He had had an eventful career as a Mid-Shipman until his ship, the 'Union', became one among a group of ships which were captured off Land's End by a French Privateer during the Napoleonic conflict. The Union was then retaken by the British Sloop of War, the Gannet, and carried into Falmouth.
Eight months later, the Union was presumed lost in a violent gale, but survived and in October 1806, was again captured by the French to the west of the Scilly Isles and sunk after taking off the men. The crew including Benjamin were taken to France where they had to walk
long distances usually twenty miles a day, to whichever 'Depot' they would be held. For those who had attempted to escape or were thought to be even contemplating it, a further journey was undertaken to the infamous practically escape-proof fortress at Bitche in Alsace, where prisoners were held in damp and dark underground souterrains. Benjamin died there in 1813, following seven years as a prisoner of war. His sister, Jane died in the same year at Mumbles aged twenty-one.Additonal Reading:
Powell, C., The Origin of the Gower Dialect, website: A History of Mumbles
Rees, C., and Clark, P., Captured at Sea, 2011
Powell,C., Regency Mumbles- nine years of Village Life, 2012
The Cambrian 8 July 1815; 16 September 1815