Llandovery Sheep Festival

Saturday morning saw the regiment billeted in the quiet market town of  Llandovery, a town that had seen the execution of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan for daring to defy a English king.

In the market square where Llywelyn was hung drawn and quartered (not necessarily in that order) the proud 41st would first drill, then patrol and would finally fight with the local ruffians to restore order to this important market town.

Saturday saw a disturbance in the castle.  Pelted by rocks from the locals, the 41st, holding fast against a torrent of missiles finally lost patience with the crowd and upon the order of their Captain, who had given the riotous assembly warning to disperse by reading the riot act,  marched up the castle banks to seize the rioters.  The ring leaders were rounded up, and fittingly lined against the statue dedicated to Llywelyn before being shot, their bodies left as a warning to the rest of the populace.

In the evening the guard of the 41st were called out again, this time to arrest and administer punishment to a drunk who had made a nuisance in front of the dignitaries of that fair town.  Justice was administered swiftly by the drummer using the cat ‘o’ nine and the unfortunate sobered up quickly and made his apologies to all those present.

Saturday saw no more disturbance but Sunday brought fresh  rioters and more rocks thrown at the 41st who, again after  the riot act was read, once more fixed their bayonets and with the weight of the law on their side, marched into the rioters, selecting those who would promote and encourage such disturbance before taking them to the foot of Llywelyn to be summarily executed for their crime.

The 41st left with a promise to return the following year should the populace request it