The Crow – Demon of the Celtic World
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| by Eric W. McBride,
Celtic Connection, October, 2007
Like most ancient cultures the myths and legends of the Celts contained those aspects describing the darker nature of the world around them. All-hallows-eve is a prime example of their interpretation of the demonic world. Sociologist refer to the creation of monsters as a cultural explanation of those aspects in life from which we fear. Of the 8 Celtic nations, each has stories revolving around some sort of monster; whether it is the giant Yspaddaden of the Welsh, Banshees of the Irish or Ankou, the personification of Death for the Breton's; all Celts have some form of Ghost, Goblin or Ghoul. However, there is one demon that is consistent throughout the Celtic world and appears in the form of ordinary birds, more especially that of the Crow.
One has to remember the lifestyles of our ancient Celts to understand where the variety of Monsters and demon comes into play. Most Celts were simple farmers living very much alone in the country side. In addition to the dangers of the weather, scarcity of food, and the dangers of brigands, there was also the relationship of the Celts with the animals around them. One of the greatest sources of the existence of demons comes from the writings of hermits who in their reclusive abodes, could spend many hours in contemplation of the noises and bumps in the night. The cry of a lone wolf can do much to a person today, you can imagine how it sounded to a half crazed monk all alone in the wilderness.
The Manifestations of the Crow:
The Crow features prominently within all Celtic cultures as a symbol of death. As carrion birds they act like vultures of the Celtic lands and soon arrive in droves after every battle. In the warrior culture of the Celts seeing the crows flock to a battle site and attack your fallen comrades, does much to anger a survivor. From anger, fear is just a stepping stone away. An excellent example of the use of Crows in Celtic Myth is found in the ancient Irish epic Tain Bo Cuilnge, the story of the death of Cu Chulainn. Here the goddess Morrigu attacks the hero Cu Chulainn in the form of a crow in response to his spurning of her love. In Scotland the term “Hoodie” has been applied to that of a crow and described as a half man, half crow figure who abides his presence in one form or the other depending on day or night. It is possible that this may be the early version of the Irish Banshee. In some stories of Hoodies, they are described as drinkers of Blood and may also be the Celtic version of Vampires.
Possible Origins of the Demonic Crow:
If we look to the historical time line of the relationship of the Crow with the Celts we can see them not only being visible upon the battlefields but also attributed with the ancient sea raiders of the North.
From time innumerable there have always been ferocious and yes demonic sea raiders who have troubled the sea shores of all Celtic Nations. In pre Christian era they were first known as the Fomorii, by the end of the Dark ages they were known as the Vikings. As sea raiders the Vikings understood the ability to strike fear into your opponent, thus gaining the advantage. Somewhere along the line they began to use the crow or Raven symbol upon both their great sails as well as their personal banners. Two such examples of the use of Ravens by the Vikings can be found with the Hiberno-Norse King Harald of Dublin and Thorin Raven Feeder, who was not only a Viking and ruler of the Orkney Isles, but the half brother of the real King MacBeth of Scotland. It is very possible that the reason of the wide spread interpretations of the Crow being that of a symbol of the forces of Darkness can be directly attributed to the wide scale raids of the Vikings.
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The Knights Templar and the Knights of St Andrew
| by Eric W. McBride,
Celtic Connection, September, 2007
Europe during the High Middle Ages was a most brutal time and the Fourteenth century was no exception. Though the threat of Viking Raiders no longer troubled the mainland, Europe was still recovering from the Mongol invasion of the previous century when the 1300s arrived. In western Europe, despite the Victories of Edward Longshanks in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, the English were losing the war in France. Throughout the 13th century the French Kings were steadily consolidating their power and control over both the land and the rebellious or disloyal French Nobles.
Though these French Kings were gaining in power their position was still precarious. However, in one night King Philip le Bel, would take an action that not only firmly established himself and his Kingdom, but the ramifications of that act would significantly aid Scotland in its fight for freedom at Bannockburn. This single and horrific act can still be remembered seven hundred years later under the superstition of Friday the 13th.
Philip the Fair:
In 1285 Phillip the Fair would become King Phillip IV of France and began to greatly extend his Kingdom into English occupied territory. In 1295 Phillip entered into an alliance with Scotland through it's Guardian William Wallace. From 1294 to1298 and 1300 to 1304 Philip began a very costly engagement with the English. Though he successfully defended an invasion of Northern France, he was no match for Edward Longshanks. Luckily for France, Edward was having to deal with rebellious Noblemen in Northern England as well as the resumption of Scottish fighting for Independence.
These indecisive wars with England were rapidly bankrupting France. In 1302 Phillip sustained a massive defeat at the Battle of Courtai, at the hands of Flemish pike men under English control. Seeking refuge from this defeat Philip fled to the Templar Knight's Temple in Paris. Phillip was bedazzled by the show of wealth found within and vowed to one day acquire it. Two years later Phillip returned at the head of a large contingent of French Knights and gained a successful victory over the English at the battle of Mons-en-Pevele. Thus empowered, Phillip began to seek out allies in his upcoming confrontation with the Knights Templar.
Phillip had no love for the Templar Knights. Not only did he have an enormous debt to the Knightly bankers but as a young man he had been denied to gain admission into there secret order. Thus through political intrigue, and greed, Phillip openly accused the Knights Templar order of barbaric deeds, inquisition, and witch craft. Phillip also approached several Knights who had been expelled from the order and through bribery or blackmail used them as witnesses of Templar mis deeds. Finally the culmination of all of his manipulation came to fruit on Friday, October 13, 1307. With the death of the Pope, and Rome in Chaos, Phillip ordered the arrest of Jacques de Molay and Sixty of his Knights in Paris. Phillip also ordered the simultaneous arrest and execution of many thousands of Knights Templars throughout all of France. The political fallout was to say the least, enormous. Men who had been the protectors of literally thousands of villages and towns across France and all of Europe, suddenly found the local peoples superstitions turned against them and their wealth seized by greedy Noblemen of every Nation in Europe. A majority of these men were killed out right. Many others tried to disappear into the wilderness or disguise themselves. However, a number of them wishing to retain their ways, found refuge in the only country that was willing to take them; that of the Northern country of Scotland, which was at war with the English and at odds with the Pope.
The Bruce:
In 1305, with no other option left to him the Earl of Carrick, in Southwest Scotland proclaimed himself King of Scotland to carry on the work began by William Wallace in the decade before. Robert the Bruce though crowned King of Scots, did not live a life of Luxury. Within a year he had sustained tremendous defeats along with the defections of the majority of his nobleman. In fact King Roberts Kingdom had at one time shrank to be only that of 10 men. As legend tells, King Robert regained his resolve by observing the efforts of a Spider and thus enlisted the aid of Highland Clans to continue his fight against the English.
Systematically, through using the same Tactics first applied by William Wallace, Robert the Bruce began to reclaim every castle and stronghold in Scotland with the exception of the Royal Castle at Sterling. It was during his siege of Sterling in 1314, that word came to him that King Edward II, son of the great Tyrant, was marching into Scotland with a monstrous Army, aimed at the total inhalation of the Scottish rebellion. Legend would have it that it was on the eve of the Battle; but more then likely it had been happening over some time. That Templar Knights came onto Scotland, and were willing to pledge allegiance to King Robert the Bruce and the defense of Scotland in exchange for a place of refuge from both the French and English Kings, as well as the new Pope. It is not known how many they numbered but it is mentioned that there were Templar Knights on the side of the Scots and the Battle of Bannockburn. Many historians now give credence to there being a significant force of Templars on the field of battle who helped turned the tide in the Scots Favor.
Despite the setbacks suffered by the Knights Templars they were still in 1314 the single most experienced and trained soldiers in all of Europe. As a united fighting force they were second to none. So much so that there presence now gives proof of how 17,000 Scots, with very little cavalry, defeated a combined English Army of over 50,000. In fact the English defeat was so decisive that over a third of all the Noblemen and Knights of England were killed outright and an equal number of them were captured, as was nearly King Edward II himself.
In gratitude for their contributions King Robert the Bruce ennobled their order and renamed it in Scotland as the Order of the Knights of St. Andrew. A Knightly order that still has remanence found today amongst those who call themselves Free Masons.
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The Northern Sea – Empire of the Danes
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| by Eric W. McBride,
Celtic Connection, August, 2007
For more than 500 years the entire expanse of Europe was held in a grip of fear by the great Nordic sea warriors of the North. They left no part of Europe untouched from their reach. If there was a great estuary or water way, then a Viking ship you may find. The great Dragon ships were said to have been seen everywhere, from the rivers of Russia and the Ukraine to sailing up the Tiber river into Rome itself. But it was in the North that they held the greatest sway. There have been scholars who have said that for the Roman Empire it was the Mediterranean that gave them power. In the early middle ages it was the land of western Europe that gave Charlemagne his power. But for the Vikings it was the North sea which was their power base. That great cold and hazardous body of water, bordered on three sides by land to which they would make their own. At the hight of their power, one man would carve out a Nordic Sea-Empire, which covered all of Norway, Denmark, England, Sweden, and Iceland, forever changing the people of those lands. So powerful did this Empire become that even the lands which bordered on this sea-empire paid tribute to its ruler. The man responsible for this shift of world power is an almost unknown figure in todays society. This early nation builder was named CANUTE of Denmark. And his empire would last only as long as the man himself lived. But when his time ended, the fall out from his empire building would still be felt a thousand years later.
One cannot be a student of Celtic History without, 1) acknowledging the impact of the Vikings and, 2) impressing upon the indirect contribution by Canute upon western civilization. For if Edward I. Nicknamed, “Long shanks” was called the Hammer of the Scott's then Canute was the Hammer of the English. It is within Canute's nation building that we find the very roots of even our own culture here in the US.
Canute the Great:
Canute the Great despite his war like nature. was known as a very self-conscious Christian Monarch. The Son of Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark and Sigrid (the widow of Eric-King of Sweden) showed truly what the efforts of one man can achieve. In 1003 Canute along with his father began making deep raids into the Angle territory of Essex. Historically the Danes had been making assaults along the English coast since the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Then known as the Jutes, these early Vikings were the enemy for whom the legendary King Arthur was to have defeated. By Canute's time both the technological advancement of ship building and armor had made the Danes, vastly superior. The Norse Dragon ship consisted of nearly 100 oars, and more then twice the length of many of the Celtic nations war ships. In the way of armor or chain mail, the vikings had learned the art of intersecting every one ring with six other rings, compared to the more common one ring in four.
Thus empowered, these new attacks along the shores of the North sea became not only more frequent but with more and more Danish victories. Canute did not limit his war mongering to just England. Between 1009 and 1010 Canute and his father led assaults into southern Scotland, resulting in a Danish Victory at Narin. However, they had not sufficient strength to capitalize on their victory. Returning the next summer, King Malcolm II of Scotland led a counter attack into Northumbria and defeated the Danes at the Battle of Mortlack. It is important to note that amongst the leaders of the Scottish Army was a young Prince Named MacBeth. Despite the Scottish Victory and the halt of Danish conquest into Scotland; King Malcolm II found it easier to pay tribute to the Danes against further attacks.
In 1014 Sweyn Forkbeard died, leaving Canute King of England and his older half brother Harold, King of Denmark. These first couple of years were turbulent in their transition of power. Canute was forced to lead his Armies to war again, first into Norway, which resulted in his subjugation of those lands by 1015 and then all of England by 1016. In 1018 Canute's half brother Harold died leaving him sole ruler of the north sea. Thus began a unique period of prosperity for England. It was to be the longest stretch of peace in England's history as well as the first time that all of England was under one ruler since the Romans had left nearly 700 years before. Canute though tough was remarkably a very fair monarch. In England he left the Angles and Saxons pretty much to themselves but installed many English and Danish Earls to maintain the peace. Toward his latter years, Canute became ever more pious. He is said to have even made a pilgrimage to Rome and a audience with the Pope himself in 1027-8. A unique sight it would have been to have seen a great number of Viking Warships sailing up the Tiber river to the heart of Rome.
Setting the Stage for Western Civilization:
In 1035 Canute died in his sleep. He had divided his Sea Empire into three parts to be e qually ruled by his three sons, Harold Harefoot (England), Harthacanute (Denmark), and Sweyn (Norway). The sons of Canute were not made of the same firebrand as either Canute or his father. England was soon plunged back into war with continuous turnover of monarchs: Harold Harefoot 1035-1040, Harthacanute 1040-1042, Edward the Confessor 1042-1066, Harold I. 1066. To add to this turmoil a new Sea Power had risen from one of the disputed earldoms of Orkney. Thorin Raven Feeder began a dominion of nearly all shipping in and around Scotland and England. Though he held his earldom of Orkney to the Danish Monarch he was also the ruler of the Scottish Earldoms of Cathiness and Sutherland, and was the half brother of the Scottish King MacBeth.
Thus the stage was set for the entrance of William of Normandy. Though the battle of Hastings is considered a turning point in Western Civilization it was a very close thing. After King Edward the Confessor had died, England was once again plunged into warfare. For a number of years there had been a civil war between King Edward and the Earls of Wessex, Godwine and his son Harold. After the Kings death, Harold emerged as the most capable military commander in England and was crowned King. However, his rule was disputed by both Harold Hardraade of Denmark and William of Normandy, both of whom held royal blood of England and were decedents of Canute; to which King Harold was not. To defend his newly won kingdom, King Harold I. marched off to a quick series of battles. On September 20, Harold defeated the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria at the battle of Fuford. Quickly marching south Harold then defeated the invading Danes in a hard-fought battle at Stamford Bridge, resulting in the death of Harold Hardraade. With high casualties, King Harold was forced to march off again and engage in a third battle on September 28 with the Norman Army at Hastings. It has been disputed that had Harold not had to fight two other battles in less the a week before and be forced to make long and wearisome force marches between each, he may have had both the wit and the force needed to have maintained the independence of England under Saxon rule.
Thus has the culture of the great Norse raiders influenced those of the worlds Western Civilization. Under Canute the Viking or Norse Society reached its pinnacle, and set the stage for the emergence of a new world power which would leave its mark on all 8 of the last Celtic Nations.
If you are interested in anything Norse or are looking for some Viking art this summer check out the Bardic Lore Booth at the Highlands Ranch Scottish Festival August 11th & 12th. |
The Celtic Heroes of the New World
| by Eric W. McBride,
Celtic Connection, July, 2007
Two hundred thirtyone years ago this month our forefathers set forth on a path that would not only shape a nation, but also have an impact on the world at large. These men and women came to the New World in search of opportunities and new avenues of prosperity. Many of these people came from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall. These people quickly grasped the uniqueness and importance of the New World and when outside forces threatened their new found prosperity, they quickly rose to
defend it.
War With France
When the French-Indian War (also known as the Seven Years War) broke out in 1756 between the British and the French, it quickly drew in the colonists of New England and Quebec. The confrontation would extend along the St. Lawrence Seaway, through the eastern Great Lakes and into what are now Michigan and Ohio. The French troops in the New World were highly organized and great in number. Their strategy in gaining total dominance included encouraging the native population to strike fear and death upon the British colonists.
To counter this attack, a farmer from New Hampshire (a Cornish man) named Robert Rogers created a group of volunteers that returned this ferocity back upon the French. This irregular military force, affectionately known as Roger’s Rangers, exacted a toll of scalps, sabotage and ambush upon the French forces which virtually stopped their effectiveness. Captain Rogers (later Major) recruited his men from the Irish and Scots immigrants, primarily because they were familiar with the arduous rigors of mountainous fighting. Although their actions were highly successful, they also paid a heavy toll; every engagement was usually accompanied by high casualties. Still, hundreds more flocked to their banners to volunteer to become a Ranger.
The Rangers were not the only way Celts became involved in the French-Indian War. The British military quickly realized their capabilities and put them to work. In 1759 a group of Scots aboard the transport Apollo were commissioned to undertake amphibious landings against the French. They went ashore with only their native weapons, a claymore broadsword and a targe shield, wearing their native kilts and wrapped in Grey cloaks. An American patriot saw both the potential of the Rangers and the effectiveness of amphibious assaults as possible weapons to be used by the colonists in the future against the British.
“Limited to no season ... The men left hundreds among the forest snows ... scalped, knifed, shot, cannonaded. The survivors beat frostbite by wrapping in rags. They reduced the old scourge, scurvy, by drinking rum and spruce beer ... They were bold Irishmen, Highlanders ... methodical and ponderous they contrasted like night and day ... against the British Regulars.” John Stark
Famous Celts of the American Revolution
It has been argued that John Stark, in his written commentaries about the Rangers, brought the American Revolution into being. Though this may not be true, the fact is that many of the Scots and Irish who served as Roger’s Rangers were the combatants that fired on British troops at Lexington and Concord. Celtic men and women all across the 13 colonies quickly grasped the true nature of what was at stake in the New World. Men like Thomas Paine, whose famous words, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” encouraged the people to stand up for their rights. His “Crisis” papers were so popular that proportionately more people read them than watch the Super Bowl today. More importantly, his paper “The Common Sense” is today recognized as the prequel to the Deceleration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
However, more than just words were needed to fight the British. No less than a successful attack on the very power base of the English was required. Luckily a Scotsman rose to the occasion; John Paul Jones (whose birthday is July 6th) not only attacked British merchant ships, but actually launched attacks throughout the whole of the British Isles, taking the war for the first time to the English homeland. In his most famous naval engagement he is quoted as saying “I have not yet begun to fight.” Jones sent Marines into the rigging of the Bohemian Richard to fire down on the English sailors; the tactic that finally allowed Jones to win the battle. Even the birth of the U.S. Marine Corps is linked to a Celtic connection. As legend has it the original recruitment for the Marine Corps was held in an Irish pub in Philadelphia, Tuns Tavern, a full six months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The least known fact of a Celtic association exists with the French involvement. When the French sent troops to America they included an “Irish Regiment.” These troops, in French uniforms, were under the command of Irish-born Colonel Count Arthur Dillion; these soldiers were known as “Dillion’s Regiment” or the “Wild Geese.” This regiment consisted primarily of Irish Catholics. Their exploits have been largely unknown since they originally saw battle in the Caribbean. They did see action later in the colonies and were present at the battle of Savannah; they later aided General Green in many smaller engagements. It may be noted that a seemingly high number of the Celtic participants were of Scottish and Irish birth. This is because the British emigration department (from which we gain many of our historical facts) did not recognize the Welsh as a separate people until 1908. Thus the records of the time list many Welshmen as English. It has actually been claimed that the notion of the Welsh as a separate nation was an idea that was invented in America!
Heroes of Latter Days
The recording of Celtic hero's in defense of the New World does not end with the Revolutionary war. There have literally been hundreds of thousands who have distinguished themselves beyond the call of duty, with names like, Andrew Jackson, Patton, Sherman and Robert E. Lee. The US government acknowledges that there are more recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor found among those of either Scottish or Irish decent then from any other ethnic group throughout the entire history of the awarding of the CMH. Some of these hero's are know to popular history by name of MacArthur, Dan Daily and Sgt York. But to list all of these hero's would take a entire book shelf to fill. However, there are two such Celtic?American hero's with truly unique stories.
Coloradoans of Celtic origin may not know the name of Sye Feldman but many have met this man in person at the Estese Park Scottish Festival as a Bagpiper. But before that during WW II Sye was a Jewish/Scottish American that saw early on the Horrors of the Nazi's. In 1939 he joined the Canadian Air Force and was then transferred to the RAF. He was one of only 7 Americans that Flew in the RAF and was one of the survivors of the Battle of Britain where he flew both Hurricanes and Spitfires. But Sye's efforts in the war had just begun. In 1943/44 Hitler began his merciless bombing of London through the effects of the V-1 (Buzz bomb) Rocket and the V-II Rocket. Sye by flying his plane through dangerous maneuvers would either tip the wings of the V-1 Rocket off course to plunge into the English Channel or would be able to shoot down the rockets, sometimes collecting the debris in his fuselage. Through his efforts he became the first V-1 Rocket Ace and a Hero to the much bombed out Britons. He became the only American to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross from King George VI himself and thus in the History books today.
Audrey Murphy, to an earlier generation his name truly represented what all of the hero's of Hollywood tried to portray. Murphy was a short 16 year old Irish American from Texas, that wished to defend America in its call for men of arms during WW II. He was able to lie his way into the US Army and distinguish himself far beyond that of both his stature and his age. He fought in General Patton's Third Army across Sardinia, Sicily, and Italy, then on to Southern France. Shortly after his 19th Birthday Audrey Murphy had been given a Battle Field commission to 1st Lieutenant, received the Bronze star 3 times the Silver Star with clusters 3 times, the Distinguished Army Cross, various medals of honor from the French and other allied governments and finally the Congregational Medal of Honor, making him the most decorated Hero in the entire history of the US Army.
Today in Iraq the Sons and Daughters of all Celtic Americans continue to place their lives in Danger by wearing the uniform of our Nations. It matters not what your belief in the war may be, because for those in uniform life and death is a daily reality. So on this 4th of July reserve a place in your heart for them and all of the others throughout the 231 years of this Nation.
Author's note: It has been my personal honor to know Sye Feldman for many years. For it was from Sye that I became interested in my Celtic/Scottish Heritage and been able to pursue my studies. Through Sye I became, for a short time, a Bagpiper in the Shrine Bagpipe Band in Albuquerque and a Free Mason for life. Sye still lives in Albuquerque, NM. He is one of the few left of that Heroic Age in the History of the World. |
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Searching for the Lost Kings of Wales
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| by Eric W. McBride,
Celtic Connection, June, 2007
WALES, A most ancient country; long has it struggled for its autonomy and held to be the home of the true Britons, that Celtic tribe for which the whole island derives its name. But the Britons were not the only people to make Wales their home. The BRITANNI would first come to Wales as a result of being pressed by other Celtic tribes fleeing from the Romans; these were the BELGAE and CANTII. This coincided with other Irish tribes seeking lands would also make their homes in Wales; these were the DEMETAE, and the DEGEANGLI. But as the Roman influence in Britain waned, so came others to fill the vacuum; these were the SCOTI, and the MONAIGH from Ireland as well as the Angles and Saxons from Germany. In an effort to repulse these invaders a minor chieftain first rallied the tribes of Britons together and won a major victory at Badon in 517 AD, his name was Arthur.
Early Welsh Kingdoms:
For centuries afterwards, Wales was divided into small and often petty kingdoms. The chiefs of these kingdoms were GWYNEDD, POWYS, DYFED, DEHEUBARTH, CEREDIGION, BULITH, BRYCHEINIOG, and GLYWYSING. The first dynasty of a roughly united Wales came about at the end of the 9th century at the hands of RHODRI MAWR, “The Great”. Rhodri brought the various kingdoms of Wales together by means of inheritance, marriage, and occasionally brute force. He had first acquired the kingship of Gwynedd from his father and the Kingship of Powys from his mother. In 872 AD he became the King of Deheubarth through his marriage to Angharad, daughter of the King of Ceredigion. As a younger man he had taken advantage of the first Viking raids in the area and was able to hold sway over nearly all of Wales with the exception of the far southwest and southeast regions. But where Rhodri fell short his grandson exceeded him leaving only the small kingdoms of Glamorgan and Gwent beyond his control. This new Welsh Over-King was known as HYWEL DDA, “Hywel the Good”.
To extend his realm Hywel married Elen, the only daughter of the last king of Dyfed, in 904 AD. But the early 10th century proved to be a troublesome time in northern Europe as the Viking raids intensified. The Welsh coast was no exception and Hywel was forced to pay tribute to the English Kings Edward the Elder in 918 AD and Athelstan in 927 AD. Hywel was known as the Solomon of his time and may have been the original legislator for that most treasured of Welsh texts that bears his name, “The Laws of Hywel Dda”. It is with the highest regard that history remembers Hywel; unfortunately his kingdom did not last long and collapsed soon after his death.
Times of Confusion:
The turn of the Millennium began a period of empire building in northern Europe which engulfed Wales. First there came the great Danish King Cnut, who dominated all of England, Northern France, Denmark and Norway; though he held in check at the borders of both Wales and Scotland, it was only by reason of paying him tribute. When Cnut died in 1035 AD the Welsh were given a period of peace. At that time the strongest of the Welsh kingdoms was Gwynedd and its king, GRUFFYDD AP LLYWLYN, though nothing more than a warlord, had dreams of uniting the kingdoms of Wales again He was originally heir to the thrones of Gwynedd and Deheubarth and later conquered Powys and parts of Mercia (Chestershire). It was his ambitions into Mercia that led to his downfall. Gruffydd immersed himself in English politics by marrying the daughter of Earl Aelfgar of Mercia and putting himself at odds with King Harold of England. Thus ensued a long struggle from 1055 to 1062 during which Harold raided Gruffydd’s court at Rhuddlan. As a result of this attack Gruffydd’s men took matters into their own hands and brought about Gruffydd’s death. King Harold’s influence in Wales was very short lived due to arrival of a new empire builder landing upon English soil; his name was WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR.
The Principality of Wales:
The dominion of William I was swift and strong not only over the English but over the Welsh and Scots as well. Alas, William’s descendants were not the able rulers as he been and anarchy crept into the kingdom. In 1188 AD LLYWELYN AP IORWERTH, “Llywelyn the Great” had a plan; through the clever use of Welsh tradition and the adaptation of English feudal habits he created a powerful and permanent Principality based on his inheritance of Gwynedd. He also allied himself with the English King John I by marrying his bastard daughter, Joan, in 1205 AD. Then, his militant movements toward Powys caused him to come into conflict with King John I. When King Henry III came to power in England, Llywelyn took the unique titles of Prince of Aberffraw and Lord of Snowdon which was traditionally understood to have dominance over all other Welsh titles. By adhering to English feudal practice, Llywelyn was able to legitimize his title with the English and receive Papal approval for the passing of the title on to his son David in 1244AD. David’s rule was short lived and the title of Prince went to LLYWELYN AP GRUFFYDD, “Llywelyn the Last”, grandson of Llywelyn the Great. Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was a ruthless but most able monarch. Taking advantage of Henry III’s weak rule and the disunity of the English, Llywelyn extended his rule south. By 1257 most Welsh lords had submitted to him as their overlord. In 1258 to strengthen his rule, Llywelyn made an alliance with Scotland. But in 1274, Llywelyn was to make the mistake that the rest of the Britton Celtic world would make as well, that of underestimating the new English monarch EDWARD I, Edward Longshanks. As became his pattern, Edward used the premise that Llywelyn had not properly fulfilled his obligation as a vassal to justify Edward’s invasion of Wales. Llywelyn was slain in 1282 AD at a conflict near Builth; Edward awarded the title of Prince of Wales to his son Edward II in 1301.
On a contemporary note: Prince Charles is the first Prince of Wales to hold his investiture and crowning in Wales at Canaveron Castle. It has also been debated that revenue from Wales itself has paid for Prince Charles’s livelihood. In actuality his bills are paid from 50% of the revenue of the Duchy of Cornwall, not by Wales. | displaying 1 to 1 out of 5 records.
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