Wales and its History

 The Journey Through Wales and the Description of Wales were written by Garald of Wales in 1188. Is work gives us a unique window into Wales at a time where constant warfare was the norm.  I have many favorite quotes but there is one that stands out for me.   CHAPTER VIII > Page 15 · Location 221  king Henry II., in reply to the inquiries of Emanuel, emperor of Constantinople, concerning the situation, nature, and striking peculiarities of the British island, among other remarkable circumstances mentioned the following: “That in a certain part of the island there was a people, called Welsh, so bold and ferocious that, when unarmed, they did not fear to encounter an armed force; being ready to shed their blood in defence of their country, and to sacrifice their lives for renown; which is the more surprising, as the beasts of the field over the whole face of the island became gentle, but these desperate men could not be tamed. The wild animals, and particularly...

We have all seen people trying to use the Magna Carta to bend the law in their favour. It obviously never works but what if it did?, what would that mean for Wales? Although mostly overlooked, the Magna Carta does mention Wales. Here is what it says.  A.D. 1215] Magna Charta. Clauses 56, 57, and 58, relating to Wales. " 56.  If we have dispossessed or removed any Welshmen from their lands, or franchises, or other things, without legal judgment of their peers, in England, or in Wales, they shall be immediately returned to them; and if a dispute shall have arisen over this, then it shall be settled in the borderland by judgment of their peers, concerning holdings of England according to the law of England, concerning holdings of Wales according to the law of Wales, and concerning holdings of the borderland according to the law of the borderland. The Welsh shall do the same to us and ours. " 57.  Concerning all those things, however, from which any one of the Welsh sha...