Llewelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan was born in early 1300’s. He became a rich landowner who met his demise on King Henry IV ‘s orders in 1401 whereby he was dragged to the gallows at the front of Llandovery Castle and was hanged, drawn and quartered.
Llewelyn had incurred King Henry’s wrath by facilitating Prince Owain Glyndwr’s escape to his Gwyneth stronghold, after leading the King’s men on a wild-goose chase searching for the Prince.
Llewelyn’s pickled body parts were exhibited in other Welsh towns and his head spiked at the Tower of London. This was done as a deterrent to his fellow countrymen from joining in Owain’s guerilla warfare against Henry. Despite this the campaign continued for another 14 years but the Prince was never captured.
The statue was erected in 2001 and was made of stainless steel by Welsh sculptor David Petersen’s two sons.
What a story - a true braveheart!
