Wales and its History

Moel Hebog shield held in the British Museum, London, England The late Bronze Age shield was found in a bog near Moel Hebog mountain in 1784, near Beddgelert. It is now in the British Museum, It dates from 1300–1000 BC. Red Book of Hergest held in Jesus College of Oxford University large vellum manuscript written shortly after 1382, which ranks as one of the most important medieval manuscripts written in the Welsh language Presented in 1701 to Jesus College, Oxford, by a Rev. T. Wilkins, of Llanbleithain, Glamorgan in Wales. It is best known as the source of the Mabinogion, as well as having much of its poetry reproduced in The Four Ancient Books of Wales., Mold Gold Cape British Museum, London A ceremonial cape of solid sheet-gold from  about 1900–1600 BCE . It was found at Bryn yr Ellyllon burial mound near Mold, Flintshire in 1833 The cape is thought to have formed part of a ceremonial dress, perhaps with religious connections. It is now in the British Museum in London, whe...

The End of the 11th century was among the most violent in the very violent history of Wales, The Brutal Norman marcher lords were taking lands and losing them just as fast and the Welsh stopped killing each other for a while to face a common enemy . In the years from 1068 to 1100 i can count over 60 sieges 31 battles One siege the Welsh were outsmarted by the Norman husband of Nest Ferch Rhys, daughter of Rhys ap Tewdwr Below is from Paul Martin Remfry, a man who knows more than anyone about these troubled times.  In 1095 the Welsh began a sustained campaign of resistance. By early 1096 Hywel ap Goronwy had become one of the leaders of the Welsh revolt. That Spring he, together with Uchtryd ab Edwin and the war band of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, laid waste the province of Penfro and strongly besieged Gerald Windsor in Pembroke castle. Unfortunately for the Welsh the wily Gerald outfoxed them and baffled, forced them to break off their siege, though they returned home with great booty Gera...

The battle of Mynydd Cairn was a hugely significant battle that changed the course of history. Five Welsh rulers of Gwent and Morganwg, Powys, Deheubarth and Gwynedd face each other in battle . The result was a complete victory for Gruffudd ap Cynan ( lived near Dublin, claimed Gwynedd, lost his crown 4 times and got it back) and Rhys ap Tewdwr (Was driven from his kingdom by Caradog, was living in St Davids Cathedral) They defeated Trahaearn ap Caradog (Gwynedd ), Caradog ap Gruffydd ( Gwent and Morganwg ) and Meilir ap Rhiwallon (Powys) all were killed. The battle weakened the Welsh significantly, and the Normans took advantage of this. The death of Caradog ap Gruffydd split his kingdom leaving it in disarray and helped ensure Norman dominance of the lowlands of Gwent and Glamorgan leading to the effective collapse of what had formerly been one of the most powerful Welsh kingdoms. Gruffudd ap Cynan was ambushed and taken captive by the Normans and was held for upto 12 years before he...