Medieval Wales c.1050–1332: Centuries of Ambiguity

by David Stephenson

Drawing on the latest research on Wales during the eleventh to fourteenth centuries, this book re-examines the commonly held view that the Edwardian conquest brought hardship and nothing else to the people of Wales. David Stephenson studies the achievements of well-known Welsh rulers, such as Llywelyn the Great and Llywelyn the Last, and he also probes the factors that led to the ultimate failure of the Llywelyns and the conquest of their principality by Edward I. In addition, this book includes detailed studies of many of the lesser-known figures responsible for the changing nature of Welsh politics in this period. Stephenson engages with the work of a variety of scholars, such as Emma Cavell on the role of aristocratic women and Matthew F. Stevens on ethnic assimilation in medieval Welsh towns, and he offers his own insight on the strength of regional feeling and autonomy, as well as on the Welsh chronicles. Stephenson includes men and women not normally studied in survey volumes, emphasizing that historical change is not always determined by the big names but also by lesser known people. In highlighting a wide range of scholars, historians, and sources, this book ultimately challenges the simplistic view that Welsh princes of this time period were always heroic figures who had the whole-hearted support of almost all Welsh people.
 

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Politics, Medieval

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database. This profile contains books by more than one author with this name.

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know enough about how Welsh history is usually told to identify why this is a "new" perspective. It seemed like a thoroughly told history of the relevant period, with an emphasis on the diversity of Welsh interests - and hence intrigue - surrounding the Welsh princes.

[Ivan Monckton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and fascinating book which takes a fresh look at the ups and downs of the Welsh Princes. Put aside your preconceptions and follow the author’s alternative thinking through what at times feels like a maze of Welsh patronymics.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quite a detailed book and rather than being strictly chronological, focuses on topics and how it evolved over time (example, the Marches). It can be a bit of a challenge to keep some of the main persons straight as they had complicated names, but the pedigrees at the start were quite helpful. The writing style is engaging and makes the topics interesting. I very much enjoyed this book.

[Edward Janes · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of medieval Wales and the tensions/wars between the English and Welsh, but unusually from the Welsh perspective

[Doris Raines · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME BOOK.🤙