HISTORY,or 1282 and all that!!

Undoubtedly the best book on Welsh history in recent years is that of Dr. John Davies, "Hanes Cymru", or, in its English translation, "A History of Wales". It covers the entire span of Welsh history from pre-history and the Red Lady of Paviland to modern times and the miners' strike of 1984. It's a book well worth reading or even just dipping into for information about any particular period. As I can't hope to emulate John Davies's scholarship I've just put together a few significant dates in Welsh history which you may not be aware of.

530-589	It is believed that Dewi Sant. (St David), our patron saint lived during this period. There are many churches dedicated to him throughout Wales, including the cathedral at St David's (Tyddewi). In the Middle Ages, 3 pilgrimages to St. David's was equivalent to one to Rome. His day is celebrated on 1st March and is known as Dydd Gwyl Ddewi
904-950	During this period Hywel Dda (Hywel the Good) formulated the laws which were used throughout Wales until Edward I enforced the use of English law. The laws of Hywel Dda were more enlightened than some of the English laws which replaced them
1170	Prince Madog is alleged to have sailed the Atlantic and discovered America and left descendants among the Indian tribes there
1282	Prince Llywelyn (Llywelyn ein Llyw Olaf), the last of the Princes of Wales was killed in battle at Cilmeri. His baby daughter Gwenllian was taken by Edward I's forces and kept in a convent in Lincolnshire for the remainder of her life (50+ years!) to prevent her being a focus of rebellion by the Welsh against their English conquerors
1284	A son was born to Edward I and the king presented him to the Welsh nobility at Caernarfon Castle as the prince they had been demanding - one who spoke no English. The child was too young to speak at all! Thus started the tradition of Princes of Wales being the eldest son of the monarch and, generally speaking, with no connection with, or interest in Wales
1347	The Black Death arrived in Wales and ravaged the country for the next 3 years. Thousands died of the plague.
1485	Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and became the first Welsh King of England.
1536	The Act of Unification (Deddf Uno) which brought Wales completely under English rule and law.
1588	Bishop William Morgan translated the Bible into Welsh. This meant that the ordinary people could understand the Bible and read it in their own language. Bishop Morgan's work undoubtedly helped to keep the Welsh language alive.