Wales and its History

The Revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn  ( When the Welsh united against the English and had Longshanks besieged. ) The great revolt of 1294–5, covered the whole of Wales, from Anglesey to Glamorgan, the Welsh had found a new unity under the experience of foreign rule heavy taxation and the heavy-handed behavior of English officials was partly to blame but it was also the fact that the Welsh were being discriminated against in their own country, of being second- class, underprivileged citizens. Descended directly from Owain Gwynedd and the fifth cousin of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd ), Madog declared himself to be the lawful successor and assumed the royal titles of his predecessors including that of Prince of Wales Attacks occurred on the same day across Wales. While Madog acted in the north the attacks in mid and south Wales were led by Cynan ap Maredudd, Maelgwn ap Rhys, and Morgan ap Maredudd of Gwynllwg in Glamorgan. The rebel leaders hoped that by the end of September King Edward and...

The Battle of Bryn Derwin Noontide comes, banners unfurled and snapping in a summer wind, soldier and horse steam in the pass As eagle's scream, even Gwyn ap Nudd, Lord of Mischief, draws near as tensions build to a burning froth Men of Llyn, the fisher-folk and husbandry of Eifionydd brought from coast and inland dale are moving at the hasty dike Set against; the Wolf of Perfeddwlad and at his rear, spears gripped , the bitter war-band of Yale and war filled Alyn Vale Massed in shadow at the rounded hill march up sons of Mon and Arfon bearing Llywelyn`s arms The heralds come, they blazon `Stand forth today in Prince Owain`s name, we call upon Llywelyn..` He comes, replies, `I await you here, yet arms you bring to parley, go back to your homes - give up here and leave here while you may..` Unabashed they return `You are called, aye by the true heir of Gwynedd, he claims the land by dint of rights enshrined – he is...

Many scots seem to think the Welsh were happy to fight with the English against Wallace but this was far from the case. Wales was at the time fresh from conquest and suffering extreme hardships and slaughter. Many of the Welshmen that come to Scotland with Edward had no choice. One thing for sure though. they were hard work, as the quote below will tell you. Those 'bloody Welsh' "Provisions became scarce in Edward’s camp at Kirkliston and the fleet from Berwick was anxiously looked for. The surrounding country, having been many times wasted by fire and sword (by Wallace), had English soldiers complaining bitterly of their scanty provender, and a change of quarters was contemplated. Only a small supply was received as the great body of the fleet was still being detained by adverse winds. A dangerous mutiny broke out in the English ranks. Under his banner, Edward had vast numbers of Welsh bowmen, led by their chiefs, whom he had recently subjected to his stern sway. The fami...

The Cross of Neith (Welsh Y Groes Naid or Y Groes Nawdd) was a sacred relic believed to be a fragment of the True Cross which had been kept at Aberconwy by the kings and princes of Wales for hundreds of years it is possible that it was brought back from Rome by King Hywel Dda following his pilgrimage in about 928. According to tradition, it was handed down from prince to prince until the time of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother Dafydd Following the complete defeat of Llywe lyn and the subjugation of the Wales, this alongside the other spiritual and temporal artifacts like Llywelyn's coronet was taken by the English The Alms Roll of 1283 records that a cleric named Huw ab Ithel presented this "part of the most holy wood of the True Cross" to King Edward I at Aberconwy. It then accompanied the king as he finished his campaign in north Wales before being brought to London and carried through the streets at the head of a procession in May 1285 which included the Ki...