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 the stags and hinds, ar

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 shall h

Welsh history is always ignored by the likes of the BBC, Netflix, Amazon, and others. You will find dozens of movies or documentaries covering Scottish or English history but nothing covering the eventful history of Wales.  Wales isn't short of events or people that would make great documentaries. In fact, it's a crime that they haven't been made already.  The first person that comes to mind who would make a fascinating tv show is Gruffudd ap Cynan. .................................................................................. Here is a summary of his eventful life.  Gruffudd ap Cynan (c. 1055 – 1137 Had a number of children, one went onto be very successful in their own right. These include: king Owain Gwynedd (c.   1100 – 1170) Who Had a number of successful battles against the Normans, almost killed an English king. Gwenllian   ferch Gruffydd (1100 – 1136) who married Gruffydd ap Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth who was the son of her father's close ally    Rhys

 Traitor

  Welsh wins against Saxons/Normans/English You don't need to be a nationalist to be proud of the resistance little old Wales put up against a neighbour many times its size. From the end of Roman rule to longshanks conquest, the population of Wales was roughly 100,000 to 300,000 and the population of what is now England was roughly 1,000,000 to 3,000,000.  The Saxons didn't conquer Wales and it took the normans around 200 years.  In those times there were 100s of battles, raids, skirmishes and sieges, most of which the welsh come out on top.  Any other country would be proud of the defense put up by the Welsh over 100s of years but not Wales. In Wales, you must be a nationalist to be proud of this record.   I think its time the welsh showed more pride in its history, after all those that died, were real people, with real families.   They fought for a number of reasons but most fought for that little country you call home. They give the ultimate sacrifice.   It is