A History of Wales

John Davies

It's a chunky book, with lots of information densely packed in but it's so interesting. Learnt the origin of the word Saeson. Brythonic for Saxon (Englishmen). Welsh Church was denied authority because Church of England had already been given it. Hywel Dda forming the Kingdom of Deheubarth and made a pilgrimage to Rome and nearly became King of the whole of Wales, only missing parts in the South. RIP Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Gruffydd (Llywelyn's eldest) was arrested and sent to the Tower of London, he tried to escape but fell. The window was bricked up and you can see this bricked up window still today. The areas and maps provided that show English occupcation throughout history still show their impact today. Welshman invented the equals sign. Welshman presuaded the King Edward 1st to adopt great Britain. Aberystwyth castle minted coins. Owain Glyn Dwr spent time in London before coming back to Wales. Wales could have actually broken free from England and England would have been broken up into smaller Kingdoms if they'd have pushed forward whilst the young king was early in his reign.