Chapter 1
3. The Romans. They made roads, built cities, worked mines.
50–78. The Conquest. The Silures were defeated in 50, the Decangi in 58, the Ordovices in 78. 80–200. The Settlement. Wales part of a Roman province including Chester and York. 200–450. The struggle against the new wandering nations. The introduction of Christianity. 450– The House of Cunedda represents Roman rule.
4. The English.
577. Battle of Deorham. Wales separated from Cornwall. 613. Battle of Chester. Wales separated from Cumbria.
I. THE WALES OF THE PRINCES
Isolated after the battles of Deorham and Chester, mediæval Wales begins to make its own history. The House of Cunedda represents unity, the other princes represent independence. English, Danish, Norman attacks from without.
1. 613–1063. _The struggle between the Welsh princes and the English provincial kings_. From the battle of Chester to the fall of Griffith ap Llywelyn. (_a_) Between Wales and Northumbria, 613–700; for the sovereignty of the north. Cadwallon, Cadwaladr v. Edwin, Oswald, Oswiu. (_b_) Between Wales and Mercia, 700–815; for the valley of the Severn. Rhodri Molwynog and his sons v. Ethelbald and Offa. (_c_) Between Wales and the Danes, 815–1000. Rhodri the Great and Howel the Good. (_d_) Between Wales and Wessex, 1000–1063; for political influence. Griffith ap Llywelyn v. Harold. 2. 1063–1284. _The struggle between the Welsh princes and the central English kings_. (_a_) 1066–1137. _The Norman Conquest_. Norman barons v. Griffith ap Conan and Griffith ap Rees. 1063. Bleddyn of Powys tries to unite Wales. 1070. William the Conqueror at Chester. Advance of Norman barons from Chester, Shrewsbury, Hereford, Gloucester. 1075. Death of Bleddyn; succeeded by Trahaiarn. 1077. Battle of Mynydd Carn. Restoration of House of Cunedda—Griffith ap Conan in the north; Rees, followed by his son Griffith, in the south. 1094. Norman castles dominate Powys, Gwent, Morgannwg, and Dyved. Gwynedd and Deheubarth threatened. 1137. Death of Griffith ap Conan and Griffith ap Rees, after setting bounds to the Norman Conquest. (_b_) 1137–1197. _The struggle against Henry II. and his sons_. 1137. The accession of Owen Gwynedd and of the Lord Rees of the Deheubarth. 1157. Henry II. interferes in the quarrel of Owen and Cadwaladr. 1564. The Cistercians at Strata Florida. 1164. Meeting of Owen Gwynedd, the Lord Rees, and Owen Cyveiliog at Corwen, to oppose Henry II. 1170. Death of Owen Gwynedd. 1188. Preaching of the Crusades in Wales. 1189. Death of Henry II. 1197. Death of the Lord Rees. (_c_) 1194–1240. _The reign of Llywelyn the Great_. 1194–1201. Securing the crown of Gwynedd. 1201–1208. Alliance with King John. 1208–1212. War with John. 1212–1218. Alliance with barons of Magna Carta. 1218–1226. Struggle with the Marshalls of Pembroke. 1226–1240. Unity of Wales: alliance with Marshalls. (_d_) 1240–1284. _The Wars of Independence_. 1241. David II. does homage to Henry III. 1244. Death of Griffith, in trying to escape from the Tower of London. 1245. Fierce fighting on the Conway. 1254. Edward (afterwards Edward I.) Earl of Chester. 1255. Llywelyn ap Griffith supreme in Gwynedd. 1263. Alliance with the English barons. 1267. Treaty of Montgomery; Llywelyn Prince of Wales. 1274. Llywelyn refuses to do homage to Edward I. 1277. Treaty of Rhuddlan; Llywelyn keeps Gwynedd only. 1278. Llywelyn marries Eleanor de Montfort. 1282. Last war. Battle of Moel y Don. Llywelyn’s death. 1284. Statute of Wales. 3. 1284–1535. _The rule of sheriff and march lord_. 1287. Revolt of Ceredigion. 1294. Revolts In Gwynedd, Dyved, Morgannwg. 1315. Revolt of Llywelyn Bren. 1349. The Black Death in Wales. 1400. Rise of Owen Glendower. 1402. Battles of the Vyrnwy and Bryn Glas. 1404. Anti-Welsh legislation. 1455. The Wars of the Roses. 1461. Battle of Mortimer’s Cross. 1468. Siege of Harlech. 1469. Battle of Edgecote. 1478. Court of Wales at Ludlow. 1485. Battle of Bosworth and accession of Henry VII. 1535. Act of Union. All Wales governed by king through sheriffs.
II. THE WALES OF THE PEOPLE.
In 1535 the march lordships were formed into shires, and a reign of law began.
1535–1603. _Period of loyalty to Tudor sovereigns_—for equality before law and political rights. 1536. The march lordships become shire ground. Wales given a representation in Parliament, and its own system of law courts—the Great Sessions of Wales. 1539. Welsh passive resistance to the Reformation. 1567. Sir Thomas Middleton opens silver mines of Cardiganshire. 1588. Bishop Morgan’s Welsh Bible. 1593. Execution of John Penry. Results:
1. Destruction of power of barons.
2. Anglicising of gentry.
3. A Welsh Bible. 1603–1689. _Struggle between new and old ideas_. 1618. Coal of South Wales attracts attention. 1640. First Civil War. 1644. Brereton and Myddleton win North Wales, Laugharne and Poyer win South Wales, for Parliament. 1648. Second Civil War: siege of Pembroke. 1650. Puritan “Act for the better Propagation of the Gospel in Wales.” 1670. Vavasour Powell dies in prison. 1689. Abolition of the Court of Wales. 1689–1894. _Rise of the Welsh democracy_. 1719. Copper works at Swansea. 1730. Griffith Jones’ circulating schools. 1750. Iron furnaces at Merthyr Tydvil. 1773. Death of Howel Harris. 1814. Death of Charles of Bala. 1830. Abolition of Great Sessions of Wales. 1832. First Reform Bill. 1839. Chartism at Llanidloes and Newport. 1867. Second Reform Bill. 1872, 1883, 1884. University Colleges. 1884. Third Reform Bill. 1888. County Council Act. 1889. Secondary Education Act. 1894. Local Government Act. University of Wales.
TABLE I.—THE HOUSE OF CUNEDDA
[Picture: Table 1: Cunedda Wledig to Bleddyn] {135}
TABLE II.—GWYNEDD
[Picture: Table 2: Griffith ap Conan to Owen of Wales] {136a}
TABLE III.—DYNEVOR
[Picture: Table 3: Rees ap Tudor to Rees the Hoarse] {136b}
TABLE IV.—POWYS
[Picture: Table 4: Bleddyn ap Cynvyn to Owen Glendower] {137}
TABLE V.—MORTIMER
[Picture: Table 5: Llywelyn the Great to Henry VIII.] {138}
TABLE VI.—TUTOR
[Picture: Table 5: Edward VI. to Elizabeth] {139}
APPENDIX A—PARLIAMENTARY REFORM IN WALES {109}
By the Act of 1535. By the Act of 1832. GLAMORGAN 1 County Member 2 County Members 1 Member for Cardiff 1 Member for Cardiff, Cowbridge, and Llantrisant 1 Member for Swansea, Loughor, Neath, Aberavon, and Kenfig. 1 Member for Merthyr Tydvil. MONMOUTH 2 County Members 2 County Members 1 Member for Monmouth 1 Member for Monmouth CARMARTHEN 1 County Member 2 County Members 1 Member for Carmarthen 1 Member for Carmarthen and Llanelly PEMBROKE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Pembroke 1 Member for Pembroke, Tenby, Wiston, Milford 1 Member for 1 Member for Haverfordwest. Haverfordwest, Narberth, Fishguard CARDIGANSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Cardigan 1 Member for Cardigan, Aberystwyth, Adpar, and Lampeter BRECONSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Brecon 1 Member for Brecon RADNORSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Radnor 1 Member for Radnor, Knighton, Rhayadr, Cefnllys, Knucklas, Presteign MONTGOMERYSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Montgomery 1 Member for Montgomery, Llanidloes, Machynlleth, Newtown, Welshpool, Llanfyllin MERIONETHSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member DENBIGHSHIRE 1 County Member 2 County Members 1 Member for Denbigh 1 Member for Denbigh, Ruthin, Holt, Wrexham FLINTSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Flint 1 Member for Flint, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Mold, Holywell, Caerwys, Caergwrle, Overton CARNARVONSHIRE 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Carnarvon 1 Member for Carnarvon, Conway, Bangor, Nevin, Pwllheli, Criccieth ANGLESEY 1 County Member 1 County Member 1 Member for Beaumaris 1 Member for Beaumaris, Llangefni, Amlwch, and Holyhead
FOOTNOTES
{1} Mihangel=Michael. Llan Fihangel = Si Michael’s.
{2} Mair=Mary. Llan Fair=St Mary’s.
{3} About 1291 the abbeys of Aberconway and Strata Marcella had over a hundred cows each, Whitland over a thousand sheep, and Basingwerk over two thousand.
{4} According to the census of 1901 the population per square mile of Glamorgan is 758, Monmouth 427, Carmarthen 141, Brecon 73, Radnor 49, Cardigan 88, Montgomery 68, Merioneth 74, Denbigh 197, Carnarvon 217, Flint 319, Pembroke 143, Anglesey 183.
The rate of increase per cent. between 1891 and 1901 are—Wales 13.3; England 12.1; Scotland 11.1; Ireland—5.2.
{5} In 1801 the population of Cardiff was 1870, and coal was brought down from Merthyr on donkeys. In 1901 the three ports of Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea exported nearly as much coal as all the great English and Scotch ports put together.
{109} In the book this “appendix” is inserted at page 109, where it doesn’t fit and is in the middle of paragraph. It’s been moved to an appendix in this eText.—DP.
{135} This table contains the following genealogy. (For items with an asterisk: the links between the House of Cunedda and the three ruling families after the Norman Conquest rest on the authority of tradition rather than on that of records.)
CUNEDDA WLEDIG (_Dux Britanniae_). MAELGWN GWYNEDD. CADWALADR.
Then Idwal.
Then Rhodri Molwynog.
Then Conan Tindaethwy.
Then Esyllt=Mervin.
Then RHODRI THE GREAT who had issue: Anarawd, Cadell and Mervin.
Anarawd had issue Idwal the Bald who had issue Iago then (?) Conan* (_See Table II._).
Cadwell had issue HOWEL THE GOOD who had issue Owen.
Owen had issue Einion who had issue Cadwell and Meredith.
Cadwell had issue Tewdwr* (_See Table III._)
Meredith had issue Angharad*.
Angharad = LLYWELYN AB SEISYLLT and had issue GRIFFITH.
Angharad = Cynvyn who had issue BLEDDYN and Rhiwallon (_See Table IV._)
{136a} This table contains the following genealogy:
GRIFFITH AP CONAN had issue OWEN GWYNEDD, Cadwaladr and Gwenllian = G. ap Rees.
OWEN GWYNEDD had issue Iorwerth and DAVID I.
Iorwerth had issue LLYWELYN THE GREAT.
LLYWELYN THE GREAT had issue Griffith and DAVID II.
Griffith had issue LLYWELYN THE LAST, Owen the Red, David and Rhodri.
LLYWELYN THE LAST = Eleanor de Montfort and had issue Gwenllian.
Rhodri had issue Thomas who had issue Owen of Wales.
{136b} This table contains the following genealogy:
REES AP TUDOR had issue Griffith and Nest.
GRIFFITH had issue THE LORD REES.
THE LORD REES had issue GRIFFITH and Rees the Hoarse.
{137} This table contains the following genealogy:
BLEDDYN AP CYNVYN had issue MEREDITH, CADWGAN and IORWERTH.
CADWGAN had issue Owen of Powys.
MEREDITH had issue MADOC and OWEN CYVEILIOG.
OWEN CYVEILIOG had issue GRIFFITH who had issue GWENWYNWYN.
MADOC had issue Griffith Maelor who had issue Madoc who had issue Griffith of Bromfield.
Griffith of Bromfield had issue Madoc and Griffith Vychan.
Griffith Vychan had issue Madoc who had issue Griffith who had issue Griffith Vychan who had issue OWEN GLENDOWER.
{138} This table contains the following genealogy:
LLYWELYN THE GREAT had issue Gladys the Dark=Ralph Mortimer of Wigmore.
Gladys the Dark and Ralph Mortimer of Wigmore had issue Roger Mortimer = Matilda de Braose.
Roger Mortimer and Matilda de Braose had issue Edmund and Roger of Chirk.
Edmund had issue Roger, first Earl of March, who had issue Edmund who had issue Roger, second Earl of March, who had issue Edmund, third Earl of March=Philipa.
Edmund, third Earl of March and Philipa had issue Roger and Edmund = d. of Glendower.
Roger had issue Edmund and Anne=Richard, Earl of Cambridge (see later).
On a different line: EDWARD III. had issue Lionel of Clarence, John of Gaunt and Edmund of York.
Edmund of York had issue Richard, Earl of Cambridge=Anne.
The lines then merge with Anne=Richard, Earl of Cambridge who had issue Richard, Duke of York (killed at Wakefield, 1460).
Richard, Duke of York had issue EDWARD IV, and RICHARD III. (killed at Bosworth, 1485).
Edward IV. had issue Elizabeth = Henry VII.
Henry VII. and Elizabeth had issue HENRY VIII.
{139} This table contains the following genealogy:
EDWARD III. had issue John of Gaunt who had issue HENRY IV. and John Beaufort I. Earl of Somerset.
HENRY IV. = Catherine of France had issue HENRY VI.
Catherine of France = Owen Tudor had issue Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond=Margaret Beaufort who had issue HENRY VII. who had issue HENRY VIII. who had issue EDWARD VI., MARY and ELIZABETH.
John Beaufort I. Earl of Somerset had issue John Beaufort II., Duke of Somerset who had issue Margaret Beaufort (see above).