Eryr Wen Pin Badge

The Eryr Wen - the White Eagle of Snowdonia - was the emblem of the Free Wales Army (FWA), a nationalist movement led by Cayo Evans in the 1960s. Their aim was simple and radical: to raise awareness of the struggle for a Welsh republic at a time when Wales had little political power or recognition within the UK.

The emblem itself reaches far deeper than the sixties. It’s rooted in old Welsh legend - the belief that an eagle watches over Eryri, guarding Wales until the day it is needed. In some tales, the eagle becomes a symbol of the Mab Darogan ("the Prophesied Son"), the figure destined to return and drive out oppression, restoring the land to its Celtic people. The FWA adopted the symbol as a call to pride, identity, and resistance.

In the 1960s and 70s, the White Eagle and the army’s motto 'Fe godwn ni eto' ("We will rise again") appeared on walls, leaflets, badges, and posters across Wales. Although the Free Wales Army effectively came to an end after several members were arrested and imprisoned in the late sixties, the emblem - and the words - have survived. Even today, the White Eagle is still used by some Nationalists as a reminder of that era of fiery activism and cultural awakening.

This pin badge is a reproduction of the metal insignia once worn by Cayo Evans and other members of the FWA - a small piece of rebellion and Welsh history you can wear on your jacket.