The Welsh people are descended from antiquity; from dark, tempestuous Iberian seafarers,
who settled here over two thousand years before Christ, from the Bronze age Beaker Folk who
brought their skills in working metal and making pottery, and from tall blond Celts with their
fair skin and blue eyes, who were driven northwards from Gaul by the Romans, Harried later
by others invaders to English shores, the Celts held the mountains of Scotland and Wales, and
the far distances of Cornwall and Brittany. With their dreams of fire and passion, their love of
colour and vision, and their language, which made them a race apart, the Welsh, from an old
Teutonic word meaning `foreigner` called themselves the Cymry, the `brotherhood`; From this
melting-pot, rich with legend and mysticism was born the land of Wales, and the people we
know as Welsh. This is the rightful setting for any account of Wales and its people.
100 BC. The Iron Age
The Iron Age had arrived in what is now Wales, its people living in large hill forts for
protection, farmed and worked copper mines. Many of these hill forts remain in Wales, and
were still occupied during the Roman invasions in the first century AD.
500-100 BC. The Celts Arrive
This was around the time that the Celtic languages arrived in Britain, The Greeks called them
Keltoi, and the Romans knew them as the Celtai. Despite their fierceness in battle, their lack of
political togetherness led to their defeat by the Romans in Europe. But in Britain the Celts kept
their language and customs which today is known as Welsh. Languages related to Welsh are
Cornish and Breton (Brythonic), Irish, Scots, Gaelic, and Manx (Goidelic). This is also around
the time new religions came to Britain, such as the Druids, although their religion perused the
art of war, horsemanship and feasting, they were also the leaders in learning and tradition, and
oversaw the festivals and rituals that worshipped local deities, and as a consequence were the
first target for the Romans, who considered them a real threat to their own teachings. And as
such were perused mercilessly.
The Roman historian Tacitus described them as being "ranged in order, with their hands
uplifted, invoking gods and pouring forth horrible imprecations".
43-383 AD; Roman Britain
The invasion of the British Isles by the Romans took place in 55 BC, by Julius Caesar, and
maybe with the Celts in mind wrote "All the Britons paint themselves with woad, which gives
their skin a bluish color and makes look very dreadful in battle". The resistance of the tribes in
Wales meant that two out of the three Roman legions stationed in Britain were on the Welsh
borders.
Although invaded, Britain (Britannia) was not permanently settled until Emperor Claudius took
over the reins a hundred years later. It was not long before a number of large prosperous villas
were established all over Britain, Mountainous Wales and Scotland were not so easily
subjugated, and remained a no go area for Roman settlements unless within fortified areas and
military garrisons, which were set up to protect the many copper, tin and gold mines that
abound in Wales.
Although never truly taken over by the Romans, Visitors to Wales can see evidence of their
occupation not just by the remains of their forts etc, but by the many place names that remain,
eglwys (church), pysgod (fish), perygl (danger), Pont (bridge), ffenest (window), which all have
Latin origins.
400-600; The Saxon Invasions
Britain was unoccupied by the Romans when the city of Rome fell to the Goths, Westward
expansion by the Saxons was possibly halted by the Battle of Mount Badon, which took place in
516. Three hundred years of fighting between the Celts and the Germanic people ended with
Britain having three distinct areas, the Britonic west, the Teutonic east and the Gaelic north,
(Wales, England and Scotland). Ireland remained Gaelic.
400-600; The Saints
The Celtic church was still strong in Wales, and led to many saints, David, the patron saint of
Wales, was not adopted until the 18th century, when his birth date, March 1st was chosen as a
national holiday. Other saints are Padarn, Dyfrig, Illtud, Teilo and many more. If you have ever
visited Wales and wondered why so many places start with Llan then its because Llan signifies
a church settlement.
615-768. The split of the Brythonic Kingdoms, The death of Cadwaladr
The English gained control over much of Southern Britain. And the defeat of the Welsh at
Dyrham in 577 separated them from their fellow countrymen in the Southwest, and the Battle
of Chester in 615 did the same for their contacts in the North. Although now on their own, it
meant they would now develop as a separate cultural and linguistic group from the rest of
Britain. Welsh was a word used by the Saxons meaning the native population they considered
"foreign" or who had been "Romanised", Todays Welsh call the English "Sais"(Saxons).
Cadwaladr was the son of Cadwallon of Gwynedd, and his death was the end of any hopes of
the Britons regaining their ancient kingdoms on the mainland. Wales would have to wait for the
Tudors to re-establish any claim to the throne of Britain. Henry Tudor carried the Red Dragon
of Cadwaladr in his defeat of Richard III in 1485.
784. The King of Mercia
The building of Offa`s Dyke may have been the single most important event in the survival of
the Welsh nation. And became a permanent boundary between the Welsh and English people.
But today Welsh people live east of the 240 kilometre long embankment at towns such as
Oswestry, and the English on the western side such as Flint.
844-877. Rhodri the Great
Rhodri ap Merfyn became King Gwynedd in 844, and at the time of his death in 877, had united
most of Wales. Rhodri restricted Danish occupation of Wales by killing the Viking leader
Horme, although a few trading posts and ports remained, Norse names include Llandudno (the
Great Orme), and Swansea (Sweyn`sEy).
1039-1063.The reign of Gruffudd ap Llewelyn
The only Welsh ruler to unite the ancient kingdoms of Wales was Gruffudd ap Llewelyn, He
defeated an army of Mercians and secured his borders by creating an alliance with English
rulers, bringing peace to Wales for a quarter of a century.
1066-77. The Normans
After the defeat of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings William of Normandy established the
Marcher Lordships on the borders of Wales, to avoid getting involved west of Offa`s Dyke, The
Lords are responsible for many of the magnificent castles that dot the Welsh landscape.
1284-1409AD. The Statute of Wales
Edward made his son Lord Edward "Prince of Wales and Count of Chester" in 1300, and ever
since these titles have been given to the first born son of the English Monarch.
1294-1400.Owain Glyndwr
After the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, other Welsh leaders rebelled. Including Madog ap
Llywelyn (who called himself Prince of Wales), Llywelyn Bren, Lord of Senghenydd and Owain
Lawgoch. Restoring his peoples rule over Britain was considered Owain Glyndwr`s destiny.
Owain had himself declared Prince of Wales at Machynlleth, where he summoned a parliment
and was promised aid from France, Scotland and Castile, to help the Welsh independence
movement.
1404-1409. The Charter of Brecon
Victory left the Welsh armies when young Prince Henry (later Henry V) retook most of the
lands captured by Glyndwr, and brought in new laws which stated "The liberties of Brecon shall
be restricted to those whom we deem to be Englishmen and to such their heirs as are English on
both their mothers and their fathers side."
1450-1571 AD.
Following the failure of Owain Glyndwr, the mid 15th century was a sad time for Wales. There
was a return to prophetic poetry, calling for an overthrow of the hated Saxon overlords.
1485.The War of the Roses
The war of the Roses was fought in August 1485 at Market Bosworth in England; Henry Tudor
was of Welsh descent. Owain Tudor of Anglesey had secretly married Catherine, widow of
Henry V. One son was Edmund Tudor, who fathered Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII of
England. Henry ascended to the English throne, fulfilling the old Welsh prophesies that one day
a Welsh monarch would rule the whole of Britain.
who settled here over two thousand years before Christ, from the Bronze age Beaker Folk who
brought their skills in working metal and making pottery, and from tall blond Celts with their
fair skin and blue eyes, who were driven northwards from Gaul by the Romans, Harried later
by others invaders to English shores, the Celts held the mountains of Scotland and Wales, and
the far distances of Cornwall and Brittany. With their dreams of fire and passion, their love of
colour and vision, and their language, which made them a race apart, the Welsh, from an old
Teutonic word meaning `foreigner` called themselves the Cymry, the `brotherhood`; From this
melting-pot, rich with legend and mysticism was born the land of Wales, and the people we
know as Welsh. This is the rightful setting for any account of Wales and its people.
100 BC. The Iron Age
The Iron Age had arrived in what is now Wales, its people living in large hill forts for
protection, farmed and worked copper mines. Many of these hill forts remain in Wales, and
were still occupied during the Roman invasions in the first century AD.
500-100 BC. The Celts Arrive
This was around the time that the Celtic languages arrived in Britain, The Greeks called them
Keltoi, and the Romans knew them as the Celtai. Despite their fierceness in battle, their lack of
political togetherness led to their defeat by the Romans in Europe. But in Britain the Celts kept
their language and customs which today is known as Welsh. Languages related to Welsh are
Cornish and Breton (Brythonic), Irish, Scots, Gaelic, and Manx (Goidelic). This is also around
the time new religions came to Britain, such as the Druids, although their religion perused the
art of war, horsemanship and feasting, they were also the leaders in learning and tradition, and
oversaw the festivals and rituals that worshipped local deities, and as a consequence were the
first target for the Romans, who considered them a real threat to their own teachings. And as
such were perused mercilessly.
The Roman historian Tacitus described them as being "ranged in order, with their hands
uplifted, invoking gods and pouring forth horrible imprecations".
43-383 AD; Roman Britain
The invasion of the British Isles by the Romans took place in 55 BC, by Julius Caesar, and
maybe with the Celts in mind wrote "All the Britons paint themselves with woad, which gives
their skin a bluish color and makes look very dreadful in battle". The resistance of the tribes in
Wales meant that two out of the three Roman legions stationed in Britain were on the Welsh
borders.
Although invaded, Britain (Britannia) was not permanently settled until Emperor Claudius took
over the reins a hundred years later. It was not long before a number of large prosperous villas
were established all over Britain, Mountainous Wales and Scotland were not so easily
subjugated, and remained a no go area for Roman settlements unless within fortified areas and
military garrisons, which were set up to protect the many copper, tin and gold mines that
abound in Wales.
Although never truly taken over by the Romans, Visitors to Wales can see evidence of their
occupation not just by the remains of their forts etc, but by the many place names that remain,
eglwys (church), pysgod (fish), perygl (danger), Pont (bridge), ffenest (window), which all have
Latin origins.
400-600; The Saxon Invasions
Britain was unoccupied by the Romans when the city of Rome fell to the Goths, Westward
expansion by the Saxons was possibly halted by the Battle of Mount Badon, which took place in
516. Three hundred years of fighting between the Celts and the Germanic people ended with
Britain having three distinct areas, the Britonic west, the Teutonic east and the Gaelic north,
(Wales, England and Scotland). Ireland remained Gaelic.
400-600; The Saints
The Celtic church was still strong in Wales, and led to many saints, David, the patron saint of
Wales, was not adopted until the 18th century, when his birth date, March 1st was chosen as a
national holiday. Other saints are Padarn, Dyfrig, Illtud, Teilo and many more. If you have ever
visited Wales and wondered why so many places start with Llan then its because Llan signifies
a church settlement.
615-768. The split of the Brythonic Kingdoms, The death of Cadwaladr
The English gained control over much of Southern Britain. And the defeat of the Welsh at
Dyrham in 577 separated them from their fellow countrymen in the Southwest, and the Battle
of Chester in 615 did the same for their contacts in the North. Although now on their own, it
meant they would now develop as a separate cultural and linguistic group from the rest of
Britain. Welsh was a word used by the Saxons meaning the native population they considered
"foreign" or who had been "Romanised", Todays Welsh call the English "Sais"(Saxons).
Cadwaladr was the son of Cadwallon of Gwynedd, and his death was the end of any hopes of
the Britons regaining their ancient kingdoms on the mainland. Wales would have to wait for the
Tudors to re-establish any claim to the throne of Britain. Henry Tudor carried the Red Dragon
of Cadwaladr in his defeat of Richard III in 1485.
784. The King of Mercia
The building of Offa`s Dyke may have been the single most important event in the survival of
the Welsh nation. And became a permanent boundary between the Welsh and English people.
But today Welsh people live east of the 240 kilometre long embankment at towns such as
Oswestry, and the English on the western side such as Flint.
844-877. Rhodri the Great
Rhodri ap Merfyn became King Gwynedd in 844, and at the time of his death in 877, had united
most of Wales. Rhodri restricted Danish occupation of Wales by killing the Viking leader
Horme, although a few trading posts and ports remained, Norse names include Llandudno (the
Great Orme), and Swansea (Sweyn`sEy).
1039-1063.The reign of Gruffudd ap Llewelyn
The only Welsh ruler to unite the ancient kingdoms of Wales was Gruffudd ap Llewelyn, He
defeated an army of Mercians and secured his borders by creating an alliance with English
rulers, bringing peace to Wales for a quarter of a century.
1066-77. The Normans
After the defeat of King Harold at the Battle of Hastings William of Normandy established the
Marcher Lordships on the borders of Wales, to avoid getting involved west of Offa`s Dyke, The
Lords are responsible for many of the magnificent castles that dot the Welsh landscape.
1284-1409AD. The Statute of Wales
Edward made his son Lord Edward "Prince of Wales and Count of Chester" in 1300, and ever
since these titles have been given to the first born son of the English Monarch.
1294-1400.Owain Glyndwr
After the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, other Welsh leaders rebelled. Including Madog ap
Llywelyn (who called himself Prince of Wales), Llywelyn Bren, Lord of Senghenydd and Owain
Lawgoch. Restoring his peoples rule over Britain was considered Owain Glyndwr`s destiny.
Owain had himself declared Prince of Wales at Machynlleth, where he summoned a parliment
and was promised aid from France, Scotland and Castile, to help the Welsh independence
movement.
1404-1409. The Charter of Brecon
Victory left the Welsh armies when young Prince Henry (later Henry V) retook most of the
lands captured by Glyndwr, and brought in new laws which stated "The liberties of Brecon shall
be restricted to those whom we deem to be Englishmen and to such their heirs as are English on
both their mothers and their fathers side."
1450-1571 AD.
Following the failure of Owain Glyndwr, the mid 15th century was a sad time for Wales. There
was a return to prophetic poetry, calling for an overthrow of the hated Saxon overlords.
1485.The War of the Roses
The war of the Roses was fought in August 1485 at Market Bosworth in England; Henry Tudor
was of Welsh descent. Owain Tudor of Anglesey had secretly married Catherine, widow of
Henry V. One son was Edmund Tudor, who fathered Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII of
England. Henry ascended to the English throne, fulfilling the old Welsh prophesies that one day
a Welsh monarch would rule the whole of Britain.
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