As you know, I am something of a nerd when it comes to Glamorgan legends and folklore. I make no apologise for that. Glamorgan can boast some absolutely incredible and fantastic stories and we have all come to love them over the years.
Here is a new way you can enjoy them and celebrate them. I have launched a new clothing brand called “Glamorgan Heritage”, and hot off the press comes this new range. A series of beautifully designed and quality made T shirts, commemorating those great stories and the people at the centre of them.
Some of them comic, some them artistic. All of them unique.
Local legends with a twist
As much as you may be familiar with the subjects and stories, you might like a couple of special new twists I have added.
First of all, each one has been designed in the style of a famous art movement. Everything from classic baroque masterpieces to pop art and comic strip. So there should be a style to appeal to everybody.
Secondly, they are also a little bit “tongue-in-cheek”. Not meant to be taken too seriously.
Here are the ones you can enjoy.
King Iestyn ap Gwrgant of Morgannwg
Iestyn ap Gwrgant was the Welsh king who lost his kingdom of Morgannwg to the invading Norman army of Robert Fitzhamon, Duke of Gloucester in 1090.
As much as he was a real person from history, there are many embellished stories and legends about him. Most from Sir Edward Stradlings “The taking of Glamorgans lands out of Welsh mens’ hands”.
On this T Shirt he has been drawn in the style of an action comic super hero. Based on his language we also catch him on a bit of an off day in his campaign against the Norman invaders.
I am sure King Iestyn would be very proud of the fact that he is available in a range of different colours, and of course, in the language of heaven. Although some poetic license is needed. Like I say, these T Shirts are just intended to be a bit of fun. I am fully aware that the words spoken by Iestyn are not what would have been used in the 11th Century.
The Coronation of King Arthur at Llandaff
According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, author of “History of the Kings of Britain”, Arthur was crowned King of the Britions by St Dyfrig at Llandaff.
On this T shirt the moment has been captured in the style of a Baroque master such as Carrivagio.
Arthurian symbols such as the red dragon and the three crowns are on show. Along with the famous Epstein statue “Christ in his majesty” which was installed at Llandaff in 1954. Just in time then!
The Maid of Cefn Ydfa
One of the most enduring romantic tales ever recorded is that of Ann Maddox (nee. Thomas), the Maid of Cefn Ydfa in Llangynwyd.
In the story, when her romance with pennyless bard and thatcher Wil Hopkyn is discovered, she is imprisoned in her own bedroom with all writing materials confiscated. But so determined was she to communicate with her lover, she plucked leaves from the tree outside her bedroom window and wrote him love letters in her own blood.
Here she is captured writing the final verse of the love song “Bugeilio’r gwenith gwyn” on a leaf big enough to accomodate it. It is drawn in the style of Charles Robert Lesley’s portrait of Juliette contemplating.
Caradog tribal chief of the Silures
In the First Century, south Wales bravely fought off the invading Romans under the leadership of a charismatic warrior king. Caradog. Known in Latin as Caracticus.
Their defence of their lands was resolute. The most mighty empire on the face of the earth was held at bay for over a decade.
In the midst of the real history there are many legends and stories about Caradog and his brave defence of his country.
This T shirt shows Caradog in mid fight with some invading Romans. It is drawn in the style of one of my favourite comic strip characters. The cartoons of Asterix the Gaul. A fictional character with a similar CV.
The Highwayman Cap Coch
Cap Coch was a terrifying character from Glamorgan folklore.
He ran the New Inn near the Dipping Bridge in Merthyr Mawr. In the dead of night he would creep around the rooms of his guests, slitting their throats and robbing them. He would dispose of their bodies by throwing them into the river Ogmore next to the inn.
In this T shirt we have Cap Coch depicted in the Manga comic strip style. Chillingly offering someone a room facing the river.
We also have a representation of the Dipping Bridge in the background.
Kenfig is lost
The loss of a thriving community and town to nature is always the stuff of legends. And here in Glamorgan we have the incredible tale of how the once great city of Kenfig was devoured by a tidal wave and hidden forever in a watery grave beneath Kenfig Pool. All in recompense for the actions of a love sick boy who commits murder in order to make himself the suitor of the woman he loves.
The scene is captured here as the town is all but lost, in the style of the Romantic artistic movement associated with the likes of Turner and Constable.
Ifor Bach kidnaps the Earl of Gloucester from Cardiff Castle
In the 12th Century, Ifor Bach, the Welsh lord of Sengenydd was so furious with William Fitz Robert, the Earl of Gloucester for stealing his land, that one night, he and his soldiers rode up to Cardiff Castle, broke in and kidnapped the Earl.
Ifor Bach held him captive in the dungeons of Castell Coch until the Earl agreed to give back all the land he had taken plus a bit more for good measure.
Here we see the daring raid captured in the ‘Pop Art’ style made famous by the likes of Andy Warhol and David Hockney.
The Wreckers of Dunraven
Walter Vaughan of Dunraven Castle, Southerndown lost his fortune at the gaming tables.
To refill the coffers he joined forces with a local pirate and cut throat called Matt o’ the Iron Hand. Together they reeked havoc on shipping trying to navigate the Bristol Channel.
Through a combination of burning a bright beacon at the castle and tying lanterns to the tails of sheep grazing on the cliff tops, they lured countless ships on to the rocks. Then they plundered what they could from the spoils that washed up on the beach.
This one done in the style of an impressionist painting.
Good aren’t they?
All of these garments are designed and distributed by the “Glamorgan Heritage” brand.
We will also be shortly announcing a range of heritage Glamorgan sporting memorabilia. Celebrating great names and teams of the past and their incredible achievements. Again, there will be a twist so watch this space.
All of these T Shirts are custom made so please read the full descriptions for an idea of turn around time. It is normally 5-7 days.
So get your orders in early for Father’s Day on 15th June 2025! Just saying!
More information on the entire range available at www.glamorganheritage.co.uk.
hi if you want any drawings done or cartoons my brother Simon is a local comic illustrator and has done work for marvel, he has also written and illustrated a graphic novel based on welsh folk tales and the mabenogion.
Wow! That sounds like a fantastic CV.