Medieval Wales

Cambridge Medieval Textbooks

by David Walker

This book provides an introduction to the history of medieval Wales, with particular emphasis on political developments. It traces the growth of Welsh princely power, and the invasion and settlement of Welsh territories by Norman adventurers which resulted in the erosion of Welsh princely authority in the south. The subsequent development of a powerful Welsh state under the leadership of the princes of Gwynedd was checked by Edward I in 1277, and thereafter the principality was deliberately overrun and destroyed. Despite valiant attempts, the English domination of Wales persisted, even beyond the advent of the Tudor dynasty.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Medieval History

235 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

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Reviews

[Mabon Finch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not awful, but I personally did not care for it, and wouldn’t recommend it. I found A. D. Carr’s book on Medieval Wales to be much better.

[Genni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book useful as, instead of a chronological history of Wales during the Middle Ages, it focuses on sociopolitical movements. As it did so, though, I felt that this book could not work as an introduction to medieval Wales as it purposed to. The author presupposed much knowledge on the part of his readers for an introduction, and because of the focus on movements instead of chronology, he often made references to people and there was never any clarity who he was referring to. For example, in the thirteenth century, there were two ruling princes of Gwynedd by the name of Lewellyn, and two by the name of Dafydd. Although a student of medieval Welsh history, in any reference to an event, and especially in the absence of dates, I was often unsure which Dafydd/Lewellyn he was referring to.

Paradoxically, the book contained too many details for an introduction, although the brevity of the book was in introductory style.

[D.H. Hanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole book because I only needed a couple of chapters out of it for my research. It's a bit dry and I don't like history books that constantly throw a lot of names and dates at the reader without going into more indepth discussion as to why these people and dates matter.

[Huw Winston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great source of information but very dry.