Edward I and Wales 1254-1307 written by David Pilling and published by
Pen & Sword Books - £25 - Hardback - Pages 256
The late 13th century witnessed the conquest of Wales after two hundred years of conflict
between Welsh princes and the English crown. In 1282 Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the only
native Prince of Wales to be formally acknowledged by a King of England, was slain by
English forces. His brother Dafydd continued the fight, but was eventually captured and
executed. Further revolts followed under Rhys ap Maredudd, a former crown ally, and
Madog ap Llywelyn, a kinsman of the defeated lords of Gwynedd.
The Welsh wars were a massive undertaking for the crown and required the mobilisation
of all resources. Edward’s willingness to direct the combined power of the English state
and church against the Prince of Wales, to an unprecedented degree, resulted in a victory
that had eluded all of his predecessors.
This latest study of the Welsh wars of Edward I will draw upon previously untranslated
archive material, allowing a fresh insight into military and political events. Edward’s personal
relationship with Welsh leaders is also reconsidered. Traditionally, the conquest is dated to
the fall of Llywelyn in December 1282, but this book will argue that Edward was not truly
the master of Wales until 1294. In the years between those two dates he broke the power
of the great Marcher lords and crushed two further large-scale revolts against crown authority.
After 1294 he was able to exploit Welsh manpower on a massive scale. His successors
followed the same policy during the Scottish wars and the Hundred Years War. Edward
enjoyed considerable support among the ‘uchelwyr’ or Welsh gentry class, many of whom
served him as diplomats and spies as well as military captains. This aspect of the king’s
complex relationship with the Welsh will also feature.
This book looks at Edward I and his suppression of the Welsh kingdom in the 13th Century,
not only was he able to crush the will of the Welsh people, he was also able to control the
Welsh lords & leaders. One of the problems with Welsh history is that it can be underplayed
and less understood, which is why there is still animosity between the two still today. But this
book has been written very well in that it’s not stuffy and dry, but actually informative and easy
to read. Having read a couple of other books written by the same author David Pilling, he
seems to be able to sort out the complication and turn it into an easy-to-read passage, which
can help greatly on a subject like this when you have Welsh names and placenames
interspersed throughout. A good read and one I think many interested in this subject would
enjoy.
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