AD 1066-1500 Late Medieval

In AD 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England. At that time Wales was in political turmoil, with several warlords fighting for control. William exploited this and created earldoms in the border areas (‘Marches’) of Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford. These earls (the Marcher Lords) were extremely powerful and took Welsh lands along the border. The Welsh fought back strongly but by 1200 their land was divided between free Wales and numerous Norman lordships. In the 13th century, Gwynedd became the leading Welsh kingdom under Llywelyn Mawr (the Great) and his grandson Llwelyn ap Gruffudd (the Last), and strongly resisted English ambitions throughout Wales.

In 1282, Edward I of England embarked on a massive campaign to finally suppress Welsh resistance. Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was killed and Edward constructed great castles such as Caernarfon and Conwy to control Gwynedd. Edward gave his own son the title of ‘Prince of Wales’ and free Wales became his principality.

In 1400 Owain Glyn Dwr (Owen Glendower) led an unsuccessful rebellion against Henry IV. It was a bitter war and led to severe punitive measures against the Welsh. However, in 1485, Henry Tudor, part Welsh and born in Wales, emerged the victor of the ‘Wars of the Roses’ and was crowned Henry VII. Henry’s banner, ‘Y Ddraig Goch’ (The Red Dragon) later became the National Flag of Wales. Although Henry never returned to Wales, both he and his Tudor descendants took a more conciliatory line in dealings with the country.