History of Wales

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Wales.Roman.Conquest

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Britain in AD500 - Project Gutenberg eText 16790

History of Wales

The History of Wales begins with the arrival of human beings in the region thousands of years ago. Neolithic settlers arrived in what is now Wales after the last ice age, leaving behind megalithic tombs and standing stones. The Bronze Age saw the construction of some of the most iconic prehistoric sites in Wales, such as the Bryn Celli Ddu and the Pentre Ifan dolmen. The Iron Age introduced the Celtic culture and the construction of hillforts across the Welsh landscape, some of the most notable being Dinas Bran and Tre'r Ceiri.

Prehistoric Wales

The earliest evidence of human presence in Wales dates back to the Paleolithic era, with tools and remains found in caves such as Paviland Cave. The Mesolithic period saw hunter-gatherers making seasonal movements between temporary settlements. The transition to a Neolithic, or New Stone Age, society brought the first farmers to Wales, who began to clear the forests and erect permanent dwellings.

Roman Wales

The Roman conquest of Wales began in AD 48 and was largely completed by AD 78, with the establishment of the Roman province of Britannia. The Romans built forts, roads, and settlements across Wales, including the notable Caerwent and Segontium. Roman rule brought significant changes to the Welsh landscape and society, but the mountainous terrain of Wales meant that Roman influence was less pervasive here than in other parts of Britain.

Medieval Wales

Following the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the early 5th century, Wales entered the Early Medieval period characterized by the rise of several Welsh kingdoms. The most powerful of these kingdoms were Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth, and Glamorgan, each with its own dynasty. The period was marked by frequent warfare between these kingdoms and against the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings. The Laws of Hywel Dda were a notable achievement of this period, codifying Welsh laws for the first time.

The Norman invasion of Wales began in the late 11th century and continued for several centuries. The Welsh resisted fiercely, led by figures such as Llywelyn the Great and Owain Glyndŵr, who sought to maintain Welsh independence. Despite periods of autonomy, by the end of the 13th century, Wales was effectively under English control, formalized by the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284.

Modern Wales

The Act of Union 1536 and Act of Union 1543 brought Wales into the legal framework of the Kingdom of England, creating a single state and legal jurisdiction. This period saw the gradual Anglicization of the Welsh gentry and the beginning of the Welsh Renaissance, which fostered a resurgence of Welsh literature and culture.

The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on Wales, transforming it into one of the world's foremost industrial nations. The exploitation of coal and iron ore led to rapid urbanization and the growth of cities such as Cardiff and Swansea. However, this period also saw social upheaval and the decline of the Welsh language.

The 20th century was marked by efforts to preserve Welsh culture and language, culminating in the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999, granting Wales a measure of self-governance. The Welsh devolution referendum of 1997 and subsequent acts have furthered the political and cultural autonomy of Wales within the United Kingdom.

See also

• Culture of Wales
• Economy of Wales
• Geography of Wales