WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT: The statue of Llywelyn the Great, the legendary prince regarded as one of Wales’ greatest rulers, has been defaced with a sex toy for the second time this year
A statue of one of Wales’ most revered historical figures has been desecrated with a large sex toy placed on top his crown. It is the second time in just a few months that the monument to Llywelyn the Great, one of Wales’ greatest ever rulers, has suffered the same humiliation.
The statue of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth was erected in Lancaster Square in Conwy back in 1898 to honour one of Wales’ most celebrated rulers, who is said to haunt the town’s graveyard. However, as one scamp jested online, Llywelyn has been erect twice more since then, with a prankster having placed a dildo on his head back in September before the joke was repeated this week.
Some locals saw the prank as nothing more than a light-hearted caper, while one councillor said it was “just rude”, adding: “They’ve gone too far. It’s not funny any more.”
Back in the 13th Century, Llywelyn transformed the kingdom of Gwynedd into a regional superpower, exercising influence over much of Wales. Shortly after his death in 1240, after fighting Anglo-Norman forces, he earned the title Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great) – one of just two Welsh leaders to be revered with the title.
As a powerful emblem of Welsh independence, the placement of a phallic object on his crown could be interpreted as a political gesture, writes North Wales Live. More probably it was simply an act of juvenile foolishness, says town councillor Joan Vaughan.
“The statue is iconic and we’re all very fond of it,” she said. “To see this done to something as important as this is very disappointing. Treating it like this is unseemly and makes light of its historic significance.
“This kind of behaviour has been going on for donkeys’ years – every new generation thinks it’s fun to mock the statue. Traffic cones have been put on his head, we’ve had Fairy Liquid in the fountain below with bubbles right across the square. But this last act was just rude – they’ve gone too far. It’s not funny any more.”
Online critics worry that, alongside displaying disrespect towards local residents, the monument’s vandalism could damage the town’s tourist appeal. “That statue represents our culture,” said a local man online.
“It’s very disrespectful. Not welcome. I hope it’s on CCTV.”
Social media users were divided, with some offended, while others viewed it as nothing more than harmless mischief. “Disrespectful,” said one woman. “But funny!” A man replied. “Most local people that have a sense of humour found this funny.”
The incident also sparked a series of witty remarks. “He’s wearing the Crown jewels,” joked one man, while another proposed the monument be rechristened Prince Richard.
The double stunt is further indignation for Llywelyn the Great, centuries after his bones were removed from the spot that should have been his final resting place. The statue stands just metres from the location where he was thought to be buried, before English King Edward I had his remains transferred when he built the town’s famous castle.
Local legend has it that, to this day, Llywelyn’s ghost haunts the churchyard which now stands on the spot where he was first interred. So it’s a brave prankster who will put a fake member on his head – and they had perhaps better hope the Prince’s spectre shares their sense of humour.
Cllr Vaughan added: “CCTV covers the square but no action ever seems to be taken against the culprits. The misbehaviour stops for a while, then starts all over again, and any vandalism can be very expensive to repair.
“We now have a big and lovely Christmas tree in the square. Hopefully this will deflect attention away from the statue for a while.”
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