EIN HANES
THE LAST INVASION: WAR, WOMEN AND MEMORY 1797-1997
Speaker: Hywel M. Davies
The ‘Fishguard Invasion’ was a serious event, men were killed on both sides and women were raped. Almost immediately, stories of women in red livery appeared and acts of individual heroism would be associated above all with Jemima Nicholas.
The telling and retelling of the story peaked at times of fear of invasion and war. Resilient to public doubt and professional scorn the ‘legend’ of the women survived as popular ‘myth’ if not as history.
The talk will investigate the event, how it was recorded, depicted over time, and its lasting impact.
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Siaradwr: Hywel M. Davies
Roedd ‘Glaniad y Ffrancod’ yn ddigwyddiad difrifol, lladdwyd dynion ar y ddwy ochr a threisiwyd menywod. Bron yn syth ymddangosodd straeon am fenywod mewn lifrai coch a chysylltwyd gweithredoedd o arwriaeth unigol â Jemima Nicholas.
Bu adrodd ac ailadrodd y stori ar adegau o ofn goresgyniad a rhyfel. Er gwaethaf amheuaeth gyhoeddus a dirmyg proffesiynol, goroesodd ‘chwedl’ y menywod fel ‘myth’ poblogaidd os nad fel hanes.
Bydd y sgwrs yn ymchwilio i’r digwyddiad, sut y cafodd ei gofnodi, ei bortreadu dros amser, a’i effaith barhaol.
