The Glyndwr Rebellion

Overview

The Glyndwr Rebellion (also known as the Welsh Revolt or the Last War of Welsh Independence) was a military uprising led by Owain Glyndwr against the Kingdom of England between 1400 and approximately 1415. It was the last major Welsh revolt against English rule and serves as the historical setting for Kingmakers. The game takes this real conflict and reinterprets it through its time-travel premise: in the original, unaltered timeline, the rebellion succeeded and Glyndwr united Britain. The player is sent back to 1400 AD to ensure this outcome.

Understanding the real history behind the rebellion adds depth to the game's narrative and helps players appreciate how the alternate history diverges from documented events. The developers at Redemption Road Games have stated that they prioritized historical accuracy for the period's "important key events," using real figures, locations, and conflicts as the foundation for the game's story.

Historical Context

Edward I's Conquest of Wales (1283)

The roots of the Glyndwr Rebellion stretch back over a century before Glyndwr's proclamation. In 1283, King Edward I of England completed his conquest of Wales, ending the rule of the native Welsh princes. Edward built a ring of massive castles across Wales (including Harlech, Caernarfon, Conwy, and Beaumaris) to enforce English control. For the next century, Wales was governed under increasingly restrictive English laws, and the Welsh population faced legal discrimination that barred them from holding certain offices or living within town walls.

The Usurpation of 1399

In 1399, Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV) deposed King Richard II and seized the English throne. This was a destabilizing event for all of Britain. Glyndwr had served Richard II loyally in military campaigns during the 1380s, and Richard's overthrow removed whatever allegiance Glyndwr might have felt toward the English crown. Henry IV's government was weak, cash-strapped, and facing threats on multiple fronts, which created conditions favorable for a Welsh uprising.

Timeline of the Rebellion

Key Battles and Campaigns

Battle of Bryn Glas (1402)

The Battle of Bryn Glas, fought on 22 June 1402 near Pilleth in Powys, was the rebellion's most famous military victory. Glyndwr's force of approximately 1,500 men faced an English army of around 2,000 under Edmund Mortimer. Welsh archers used the terrain to devastating effect, and Welsh soldiers serving in the English ranks reportedly switched sides during the battle. Mortimer was captured, and the English suffered heavy casualties. The victory transformed Glyndwr from a regional rebel into a national leader.

Siege of Harlech Castle (1404)

Harlech Castle, one of Edward I's great fortifications, had stood as a symbol of English power in Wales for over a century. Its capture by Glyndwr in 1404 was a moment of enormous symbolic significance. Glyndwr made Harlech his primary residence and headquarters for the rebellion, and it served as the seat of his government until its recapture by the English in 1409.

The French Campaign (1405)

In August 1405, a force of approximately 2,500 French soldiers landed in Milford Haven, Wales. Combined with Glyndwr's forces, this joint army marched east into England, reaching Woodbury Hill near Worcester. There, they faced Henry IV's army. The two forces stared at each other across a valley for several days, but the expected battle never materialized. The French eventually withdrew, and the campaign, while impressive in scope, failed to deliver the decisive blow that might have ended the conflict.

The Rebellion in Kingmakers

Kingmakers uses the Glyndwr Rebellion as its historical foundation but adds a science fiction layer. In the game's lore, the original course of history saw Glyndwr's rebellion succeed. He and his allies conquered England, united Britain, and set humanity on a path of advancement. A malevolent, otherworldly force altered this timeline, causing the rebellion to fail and leaving humanity divided and vulnerable.

The player, sent back in time from the future, must support Glyndwr and restore the original outcome. This setup allows the game to use real historical events, locations, and figures while creating gameplay scenarios that diverge from recorded history. Players fight alongside Glyndwr, assault the same castles that featured in the real rebellion, and face the same English opponents, but with the added advantage (and chaos) of modern weapons and vehicles.

The faction system allows players to deviate from the canonical storyline. Instead of supporting Glyndwr, players can align with England and suppress the rebellion, or pursue Scottish interests. This freedom means the game explores not just the "what if Glyndwr won" question, but also alternative paths that the real rebellion never took.

Historical Figures in the Game

Tips

• The game's story makes more sense if you understand the real history. The Tripartite Indenture, the French alliance, and the castle sieges all have historical roots.

• Real-world Welsh castles like Harlech and Aberystwyth appear in the game. Their strategic importance mirrors their historical significance.

• The game takes place in 1400-1401 initially, corresponding to the early and most volatile phase of the historical rebellion.