Dafydd Gam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dafydd Gam
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Sir Dafydd Gam's coat of arms; from an extra-illustrated set of A tour in Wales by Thomas Pennant in the National Library of Wales
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| Born |
Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel
c. 1380 |
| Died | 25 October 1415 (aged 34–35) Azincourt, France
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| Allegiance | Henry V, King of England |
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Conflicts
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Glyndŵr rebellion Battle of Agincourt |
| Children | Gwladys Gam |
| Relations | William Herbert (grandson) |
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Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel (born around 1380 – died 25 October 1415) was a brave Welsh warrior. He is better known as Dafydd Gam. His name was sometimes changed to David or Davy Gam in English.
Dafydd Gam was a strong opponent of Owain Glyndŵr, who led a big rebellion in Wales. Dafydd fought for King Henry V of England. He died heroically at the famous Battle of Agincourt in France. This battle was a major victory for the English against the French.
The name "Gam" comes from a Welsh word meaning "one-eyed" or "cross-eyed." People believed that Sir Dafydd Gam had one eye or eyes that looked in different directions. Some people saw him as a hero, while others thought he was a traitor to Wales. His reputation changed over time, just like the reputations of his enemy Owain Glyndŵr and his ally King Henry V.
Contents
Who Was Dafydd Gam?
His Family and Early Life
Dafydd Gam came from an important Welsh family in the area now known as Breconshire. His family had a long history in Wales. They were known for being loyal supporters of powerful English lords.
His great-great-grandfather, Einion Sais, fought in famous battles like Battle of Crecy and Poitiers. Dafydd's family became very strong by always supporting the de Bohun family. These lords ruled the area of Brecknock.
Later, his family's loyalty shifted to Henry Bolingbroke. Henry became King Henry IV. Dafydd Gam was paid well by Henry's family even before Henry became king. He and his brothers were known as the King's trusted helpers.
Fighting in the Glyndŵr Rebellion
A Time of Conflict in Wales
In 1400, a major uprising began in Wales. This was the Glyndŵr rebellion, led by Owain Glyndŵr. Dafydd Gam and his family stayed loyal to King Henry. They played a big part in fighting against the rebellion in their area.
Because of this, Glyndŵr's forces often attacked Dafydd's lands near Brecon. These attacks caused a lot of damage. Dafydd was a leader in a key victory against Glyndŵr's men. This was at the Battle of Pwll Melyn in 1405. After this battle, many of Glyndŵr's men were captured or defeated.
In 1412, Dafydd Gam himself was captured by Glyndŵr's men. A large sum of money was paid to free him. King Henry's estates quickly paid this ransom. This shows how much the King valued Dafydd Gam. Despite being captured, Dafydd remained fiercely loyal to King Henry. He continued to support the King against the rebellion. In return, Glyndŵr's men attacked and burned Dafydd's home in Brecon.
The Famous Battle of Agincourt
Fighting for King Henry V
Dafydd Gam likely knew King Henry V personally. Henry V became king in 1413. Dafydd had probably fought alongside him during the Glyndŵr rebellion.
Records show that Dafydd Gam served in the army during the Battle of Agincourt campaign. This famous battle took place on October 25, 1415. Dafydd Gam died fighting bravely in this battle. Many historical records from that time mention his death.
The Legend of Saving the King
There is a famous legend about Dafydd Gam at the Battle of Agincourt. The story says he saved King Henry V's life. During a fierce part of the battle, the French Duke of Alençon attacked King Henry. The King was in great danger.
According to the legend, Dafydd Gam and other Welsh knights rushed to protect the King. They fought bravely, and some of them died doing so. Dafydd Gam was one of these heroes. The legend says King Henry V knighted Dafydd on the battlefield as he was dying. This was a great honor.
Historians are not sure if this story is completely true. But it became a very popular tale over time. It shows how much people admired Dafydd Gam's bravery and loyalty. His son-in-law, Sir Roger Vaughan, also died in the battle.
Dafydd Gam's Lasting Legacy
His Powerful Descendants
Dafydd Gam's family continued to be very important in Wales. His descendants even adopted the surname 'Games' to remember him. His daughter, Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam, was known as "Star of Abergavenny." She married two important knights. Her first husband, Sir Roger Vaughan, died at Agincourt with her father. Her second husband was Sir William ap Thomas.
Gwladys's son became a very powerful man named William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1423-1469). He took the surname Herbert. This family name became one of the most famous among the nobility. These important family connections helped keep Dafydd Gam's name celebrated for many years.
Stories and Folklore
Like Owain Glyndŵr, Dafydd Gam became a figure of many legends. Many stories about him were passed down through families. For example, one tale says he tried to attack Glyndŵr at a meeting in 1404. When the attempt failed, he was supposedly imprisoned. These stories are part of Welsh folklore. They show that people saw Dafydd as a main enemy of the Glyndŵr rebellion.
The writer George Borrow described Dafydd in his book Wild Wales (1862). He said Dafydd was "small of stature and deformed in person, though possessed of great strength. He was very sensitive of injury, though quite as alive to kindness; a thorough-going enemy and a thorough-going friend."
In Books and Plays
Dafydd Gam is an important character in John Cowper Powys's novel Owen Glendower (1941).
He is also mentioned briefly in Shakespeare's famous play Henry V. In the play, his name is read out as one of the noble soldiers who died at Agincourt. Some people even believe that Dafydd Gam inspired Shakespeare's character Fluellen. Fluellen is a funny but brave Welsh captain in the play.
Here is a part from Shakespeare's play where King Henry V talks about being Welsh:
Fluellen: "If your Majesty is remembered of it, the Welshmen did good service in a garden where leeks did grow, wearing leeks in their Monmouth caps, which your Majesty knows, to this hour is an honourable badge of the service, and I do believe, your Majesty takes no scorn to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy's day."
King Henry: "I wear it for a memorable honour; for I am Welsh, you know, good my countryman."
Local Memories
Local legends say that one of Dafydd Gam's homes was at Hen Gwrt. This was a manor house with a moat near Llantilio Crossenny in Monmouthshire. Today, only the moat remains.
Dafydd Gam is also remembered in a beautiful stained glass window in Llantilio Crossenny church. The window has a Latin message. It says: "David Gam, golden haired knight, Lord of the manor of Llantilio Crossenny, killed on the field of Agincourt 1415."
