Tory Tomb Raiders

My Assembly office was racked by much hilarity and mirth yesterday when we received a constituent’s enquiry about the repatriation of ancient Welsh regalia and relics, it comes under my portfolio as ‘Culture Vulture’, you understand.

Actually, there are many interesting and historical documents which could be on permanent display here in the ‘Smurfhouse’ (as Cardiff Bay taxi-drivers have dubbed it). Accordingly, I have written to the Presiding Officer (Papa Smurf), to see if we could have a bespoke room in the Senedd to display copies of items such as Owain Glyndwr’s Pennal Letter, and important letters from Llywelyn ein Llyw Olaf to John Pecham, Archbishop of Canterbury. Given the unprecedented number of visitors to the new building, I’m sure this could only encourage cultural tourism in Wales.

However, the mirth was largely caused by the request that we should shed light on the whereabouts of ‘Arthur’s Crown’ which formerly belonged to Prince Llywelyn who was murdered by the army of Edward ‘Longshanks’ at Cilmeri in 1282.

Apparently, the crown is currently adorning the dead English King’s skull in a plain black tomb in Westminster Abbey. I’m sure an X-ray would reveal all. But what if it is there? There are sure to be laws against tomb raiding and digging up Westminster Abbey. Nevertheless, my constituent is adamant; the crown belonged to us and we deserve it back!

Llywelyn maintained that the rights of his principality were ‘entirely separate from the rights of England’ and he refused to pay Edward homage (Shades of the West Lothian Question methinks). Edward, “‘the best lance in all the world with a formidable temper and a lust for blood,” took it personally.

Perhaps we should leave him in the tomb, crown and all.