Richard Gwyn (1537-15 October 1584) was a Roman Catholic during a time when Catholics were being persecuted throughout Cymru and England. A speaker of Cymraeg (who wrote Welsh language satirical bardic poetry), Gwyn is most remembered as a teacher at underground schools – illegal at that time.

Gwyn was imprisoned in the year 1580 after having escaped initial imprisonment in 1579 and having been on the run for 18 months. Imprisoned in Ruthin Castle, Gwyn was offered freedom in exchange for renouncing Catholicism and converting to Anglicanism – he refused.

By at least September of 1581, Gwyn had now become imprisoned at Denbigh Castle. He would later be tortured at Bewdley and at Bridgnorth Castle, in England. Despite torture, he refused to renounce his beliefs and maintained his faith – remaining in continuous prayer throughout the torture process.

It would be on the morning of Saturday 10th of October in 1584 when a lengthy trial process concluded that Richard Gwyn (along with fellow Catholic prisoner, John Hughes) guilty of high treason.

Many might not be aware that Gwyn had one more chance of freedom as, on Tuesday the 13th of October in 1584, Gwyn would receive an offer to renounce his Papal beliefs; acknowledge Elizabeth I as the Queen Supreme Head of the Church and receive freedom for doing so. Being the staunch Catholic that he was, though, Gwyn refused.

His last words came during the beheading process of his punishment. “Iesu, trugarha wrthyf!” (“Jesus, have mercy on me!”) His head (as well as one of his quarters) were displayed upon a spike at Denbigh Castle – a warning to all Catholics in Cymru.

He died a martyr for his beliefs and was canonised on the 25th of October, 1970 by Pope Paul VI.

Today, Richard Gwyn is remembered as a significant Saint of Cymru’s history – with religious buildings, schools and libraries bearing his name throughout the country.

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Niklas George

Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.