Meibion Glyndŵr (, Sons of Glyndŵr) was a protest group linked to arson of English-owned holiday homes in Wales. They were formed in response to the housing crisis in Wales precipitated by large numbers of houses being bought by wealthy English people for use as holiday homes, pushing up house prices beyond the means of many locals. They were responsible for setting fire to English-owned propierties in Wales from 1979 to the mid-1990s, and only confirm an arrest.
History
The group first came to prominence in 1979 after the Welsh devolution referendum. In the first wave of attacks, eight English-owned holiday homes were destroyed within the space of a month. In 1980, Welsh police carried out a series of raids in Operation Tân ("fire") in an effort to find the culprits. As part of the operation, Welsh nationalist and publisher Robat Gruffudd and his wife, Enid, were arrested and interrogated. The police were not able to find any evidence of the Gruffudds' involvement in the arson and released them; they were also compensated for their time. Within the next ten years around 220 properties were damaged by the campaign. It peaked in the late 1980s with the targeting of Conservative MPs' homes with letter bombs, most notably David Hunt, the then Welsh secretary, who was targeted in 1990.
Four separate movements claimed responsibility for the bombings: Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru ("movement to defend Wales"), Cadwyr Cymru ("keepers of Wales"), Meibion Glyndŵr, and the Welsh Army for the Workers Republic (WAWR), whose attacks were on political targets in the early 1980s. Meibion Glyndŵr was the only group to have any claim to long-term success, although since the mid-1990s the group has been inactive, and Welsh nationalist violence has ceased, at least on an organisational level. Letters claiming responsibility for attacks were signed "Rhys Gethin", in homage to one of Owain Glyndŵr's most prominent followers.
A reinvestigation into postal bombings led to the conviction of Sion Aubrey Roberts in 1993. Roberts was sentenced to 12 years but was released after serving 8 years. He has maintained his innocence while expressing sympathy for Meibion Glyndŵr's cause. A Plaid Cymru member of parliament, Elfyn Llwyd, speculated that the group was an MI5 front.
Armed campaign
1979–94: Meibion Glyndŵr fire-bomb around 220 English-owned homes. July 18, 1980: Welsh militants firebombed the home of Welsh Secretary of State Nicholas Edwards, in his rest house in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire. In the same day, a Conservative Party in Cardiff was firebombed by the group. October 26, 1981: An improvised device in an army recruiting office was defused in Pontypridd, prior to a visit by the Prince of Wales. Two days later other bomb was defused by authorities. 28 June, 1987; Welsh extremist left two improvised devices in Abergele and Porthmadog 1988–89: Meibion Glyndŵr declared that "every white settler is a target". The group also placed incendiary bombs in Conservative Party offices in London and estate agents' offices in London, Liverpool, Sutton Coldfield, Haverfordwest, Carmarthen and Llandeilo. 18 March, 1989; A series of arson attacks took place in Sutton Coldfield, Haverfordwest, Liverpool and London. 22 October, 1989; A new ring of arson attacks this time focusing on London. 1990: Poet and Anglican priest R. S. Thomas calls for a campaign to deface English-owned homes. 20-21 June 1990: Four letter bombs, two send to the Secretary of State for Wales and the Member of Parliament for Pembroke at the House of Commons (one of the letters had been slightly wound a woman), one to the Secretary of State for Wales David Hunt, and the last to Nicholas Bennett, both defused. 1993: Sion Aubrey Roberts, a member of Meibion Glyndŵr, was jailed for twelve years for sending letter bombs to Conservative politicians.
Books
Mae rhywun yn gwybod (Somebody Knows) by Alwyn Gruffydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, 2004). To Dream of Freedom by Roy Clews, 3rd edition, (Y Lolfa, 2004). Concentrates on MAC and the Free Wales Army in the 1960s. Includes interviews by participants. 'Freedom Fighters: Wales's Forgotten War 1963–1993'', John Humphries (University of Wales Press, 2008). Looks at FWA, MAC and Meibion Glyndwr with many interviews and historical facts. Wyn Thomas, 'John Jenkins: The Reluctant Revolutionary?' (Y Lolfa, 2019). Hardback: ; Paperback: Wyn Thomas, 'Hands Off Wales: Nationhood and Militancy' (Gomer, 2013). Wyn Thomas, 'Hands Off Wales: Nationhood and Militancy' (Y Lolfa, 2022).
Wyn Thomas, 'Tryweryn: A New Dawn?' (Y Lolfa, 2023).
