The Wreckers of Dunraven Castle | Great Myths, Legends and folklore of Glamorgan

Dunraven Castle used to stand on the Glamorgan coast of the Bristol Channel. Not far from Bridgend on the Heritage Coast by Southerndown beach. Just in land from Tusker Rock. It has a fascinating history dating back to the Iron Age but nothing is more spectacular about this place than this legend. It is the story of the wreckers of Dunraven. The Lord of the Manor; Walter Vaughan and his henchman, a pirate, smuggler and wrecker called Matt of the Iron-Hand who had a score to settle with his partner in crime.

Together, they terrorised sea farers in the Bristol Channel in the sixteenth century.

They would tie lanterns to the sheep grazing on the cliff tops to mimic the lights of Newton, to lure ships onto the jagged rocks of Tuskar Rock. It kept the scavenging, coastal-living folk of the Vale of Glamorgan in a plentiful supply of plunder, washed up on their beaches from the wreckage of numerous merchant ships.

In this video I tell the best-known version of the legend. It deals with grief, greed avarice and the final tragic outcome when all these things are allowed to come together.

I also answer the obvious question; is this a true story? And what sources do we have for it. And talk about the role of Iolo Morgannwg.

It is one of my favourite stories from Welsh myth, legend and folklore.

This video is an episode in the Great Myths, Legends and folklore of Glamorgan series. Written, presented and published by Welsh author and historian; Graham Loveluck-Edwards. Author of the 'Legends and Folklore of Glamorgan' series of books published by Candy Jar Books LTD (Cardiff). In this series of short videos, I tell a story from Welsh folklore and visit the places at the heart of the action. I hope you enjoy them. And if you do, please subscribe to this channel and share them on social media.

More information available at: https://grahamloveluckedwards.com