Welsh History and Culture

A proud and passionate nation

We Welsh have a strong sense of our history. Maybe it’s because of all those invasions. We’ve seen the Romans, the Saxons, the Vikings the Normans, the English and even the French army came and had a go back in 1797 when they tried to invade Fishguard. Despite all this, we still stand a proud and resilient bunch.

We’ve looked after the remains of our past. You’ll discover ancient castles where famous battles were fought, fortresses built to keep invaders at bay, as well as more modern records of the industrial revolution, like our coal mines.

We really can’t do justice to thousands of years of fascinating history, so here is just a taster looking at some of the most interesting stories and people. You can find out more by using the links at the bottom of the page.

Owain Glyndwr

No look at our history is complete without reference to Owain Glyndwr, the last native Welsh person to hold the title Prince of Wales.

A descendant of the princes of Powys, in 1400 he instigated a brave revolt against English rule. Initially it was successful but the uprising was eventually quashed by the English. Glyndwr was last seen in 1412 and was never captured.

He remained an important cultural figure. Shakespeare’s Henry IV portrays him as a wild, exotic, magical and spiritual man.

The nationalist movement always held him in high regard, but he is now a figure of mass culture in Wales, with everything from statues to pub names commemorating him.

Offa’s Dyke

Offa was King of Mercia from 757 to 796 AD. His kingdom covered a huge area of England, right up to the Welsh borders at Powys.

But he realised his powers weren’t going to get him far into the Welsh mountains, so he ordered a dyke to be built – from sea to sea.

Offa’s Dyke has more or less defined the Welsh / English border ever since. Much of the dyke is still traceable along the 80 miles from the Wye valley to Wrexham. In places it still retains most of its original impressive dimensions; in others it has disappeared due to 1200 years of agricultural activity and can only be detected by archaeological work.

St David

St David's Day is celebrated on March 1, in honour of Dewi Sant or St David, our patron saint. We don’t know an awful lot about him for certain. What we do known is based on an account of his life written in Latin by Rhigfarch towards the end of the 11th century.

It tells us that Dewi died in AD 589. He was educated in Cardiganshire, after which he went on pilgrimages, founding religious centres across Wales and England, including Glastonbury. He even travelled as far as Jerusalem where he was made an archbishop.

He eventually settled at Glyn Rhosyn (now St David's), in south-west Wales, where he established a religious community. Many miracles have been attributed to him, the most incredible being when he caused the ground to rise beneath him when preaching, so that everyone could see and hear him.

From the 12th century onwards, his fame spread as far as Ireland and Brittany. St David's Cathedral became a popular centre of pilgrimage, which it still is today. Dewi was officially recognised as a Catholic saint in 1120.

Today March 1 is celebrated not only at home but across the world, by Welsh men and women.

The Welsh Flag

Our national flag - The Red Dragon (or in Welsh Y Ddraig Goch) - was granted official status in 1959, but the dragon itself has been associated with Wales for centuries. Some say it’s the oldest national flag still in use, and that it was the used by King Arthur and other ancient Celtic leaders.

It is the only flag of the constituent countries of the UK not seen on the Union Flag. This is because after the Laws in Wales Acts in the 16th Century, Wales was considered to be a part of England.

There have been proposals to include the dragon or the flag of Saint David on the Union Flag. It hasn’t happened yet, but watch this space..!

Welsh Knot
The Welsh Knot was a piece of wood hung around the necks of children who spoke Welsh in the 19th century.

It was given to any boy overheard speaking Welsh, and he would pass it to a different boy whom he overheard speaking Welsh. At the end of the day, the wearer would be given a lashing.

It was used – in some schools only - to discourage pupils from speaking Welsh, at a time when English was considered by some to be the only suitable medium of education.

Castles

How would you like your castle? Concentric, square, restored, dilapidated, 10th century, 18th century… And would you like coffee with that? Then we recommend Cardiff Castle. It’s an impressive fortress, built in 1106. And it’s handy to the Queen Street Starbucks, a much rarer sight around here.

Fact About Wales and the Welsh

The following facts, well known to all true Welshmen, are not as well known as they should be to those unfortunate enough to have been born outside Wales.

Welshmen may have settled America before Columbus.
Canada was explored and mapped by a Welshman.
America may have taken its name from a Welshman.
Pennsylvania is not named after William Penn.
St. Patrick was not an Irishman.
Wales is not represented on the British Flag.
A pungent vegetable is the national emblem of Wales.
The Welsh language is not Gaelic, it's Brythonic.
The modern Olympics did not begin in Athens.
A Welshman invented Lawn Tennis in Wales.
Welsh Immigrants began The Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
The Prince of Wales is not Welsh.
Golf's Stableford System was invented in Wales.
A Welshman was responsible for the mid-19th century US industrial might.
The Holy Grail is found in Wales.
A Welshman founded The New York Times.
A Welsh-American invented the automobile.
The world's biggest second-hand bookshop is in Wales.
Thanks to a Welshman hanged for murder, Britain has no Death Penalty.
The names of three geological divisions are derived from Wales.
Tre'r Ceiri is the largest Iron-Age fort in northwestern Europe.
A Welshman translated the first English account of the New World.
The world's longest railroad station name is in Wales.
Welshmen invented two important mathematical symbols.
Three leading universities owe their founding to Welshmen.
Wales is the most important sheep raising area in Europe.
The world's first mail-order shopping began in Newtown, Wales.
The last Briton to die in WW I was a Welshman.
Welsh gypsies were the last speak Romani in Europe.
A Welshman composed the music for the 1998 Academy Awards.
A Welshman discovered the link between Asian and European Languages.
One of the world's greatest botanic gardens is taking shape in Wales.
The earth's highest mountain is named after a Welshman.
The world's first wireless transmission took place in Wales.
A Welsh amputee conquered Everest.
Welshman Overdosed on Valium.
Public Enemy Number One was a Welshman.
Welsh Prison was Training Ground for IRA.
America's Oldest Ethnic Society is Welsh.
Cardiff is Home toWorld's Largest Retractable-Roof Arena.
The "Ugly House" was was built and inhabited in one day.
A Welsh coracle crossed the English Channel in 1974.
The Mumbles Swansea Railroad was the first to accept paying passengers.
A Welshman was the first to transmit and receive radio waves