Castles In Wales

"...to those interested in the spectacle and romance of the past.", this cover states.

First published in 1982, by a joint endeavor from the Wales Tourist Board and the Automobile Association, it contains reviews of over 80 castles.  Since Edward I started things off,  the Edwardian castles were intended to be a permanent reminder that "subordination" was the order of the day.

The castles "A to Z" is presented.  Abergavenny Castle to White Castle...hum...no Zs...are shown with pictures, history, and some stories.  What a deal for those romantics.  Time charts, motor tours, and road maps are included.  A reference and resource indeed it is.

The Welsh Wars of Edward I

Edward I like to fight.  He was at war with France, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales all at the same time.  This of course cost a lot of money, and Edward I was the first to call the English people together to gain their continual support....and money. [The Parliament it was called.]

Wales had been a difficult problem for those folks from across the Channel.  It took Edward I military determination and castle building to subdue the Welsh.  "The Welsh Wars of Edward I" by John E. Morris is an account of this activity.  He was one of the first historians to apply modern methodology to medieval history studies.  The cover to my copy is shown below.

The book covers the period 1277 to 1296.  For the genealogist, it helps to understand the feudal period and the relationship between the people and the army of the day.  In great detail Morris examines the documents of the day, and evaluates the methods of warfare.  It provides lots of names and events which can help find some folks in the family tree.  At times, it is not what you would call an easy read, but for the detailed person seeking information surrounding this period in Welsh history, it is helpful.  The chapter titles are:
                                      I. England and Wales before 1277
                                     II. An Edwardian Army
                                    III. The War of 1277
                                    IV. The War of 1282 and 1283
                                     V. The Peace Settlement and Rhys's Rising
                                   VI.  The Custom of The March
                                  VII. The Last Rising; Madoc, Maelgwn, and Morgan; 1294 and 1295
                                 VIII. Events Leading from the Welsh Wars

There are a number of pedigrees of families involved in the conflicts which can be very helpful.

The book was originally published by Oxford at the Clarendon Press in 1901.  This copy was published by Combined Books, PA, 1996.

Edward I

Throughout my years of tree climbing (53 years and counting), Edward I is perhaps the one figure that seems to have impacted Wales more than any other English monarch.   His life spanned from 1239 - 1307 AD.  Between the years 1276 and 1296, he built (or inspired the building) of roughly 17 castles in Wales.  Edward was obviously determined that his military activity in Wales would last a very long time.

This book by Michael Prestwick, is an expert analysis (manuscript sources given) of this period in the Middle Ages.  My copy is a bit smudged and a little worn since its publishing by Yale University Press 1997.  He remains a controversial figure, and even much hated by some folks. [William Wallace fans especially!]   He certainly had impute into the beginning of Parliament and its early development.  It was his conquest of Wales that was to effect my own family tree.

The book is 618 pages, and can be used as a reference source for primary documents.  It is also good reading if you like in depth knowledge of the culture and society which moved about during this period of time.

The book was first published in Great Britain in 1988 by Methuen London Ltd.  This edition was published by Yale University Press in 1997.

Henry II

Gerald of Wales [see previous post] had a few things to say about Henry II.  It would seem that in 1184, Gerald was appointed "Court Chaplain" to old Henry, and served as a "liaison-officer" between the King and the Welsh princes that were in direct conflict with Henry.  The following reference (book) is about Henry II.

I present it here since it became a source of help during my own tree climbing experiences.  Gerald's connection to St. Asaph had opened a number of bridges to my family tree, and a better understanding of this historical period was my goal.  This book by W.L. Warren help place Wales into a historical context.  It seems that Scotland, Ireland, and Wales were undergoing a significant process of change.   This complex period for Wales was important to grasp for my own family tree. [A good section on Wales is pp. 153 - 169.]  Warren states:

"Henry II's relations with the leaders of the Welsh were marked for eighteen years by good sense and goodwill. Wales, both native and marcher, was an acknowledged dependency of the English Crown" (p.169)  Hum...wonder what the Welsh felt about this? [Conclusion based upon "oaths of homage in 1177 AD., p.169]

 A lengthy tome (693 pages), it is well written and referenced for those of us who like to see the documentation and sources.  Son of Matilda and Geoffrey Plantagenet, he was the first of the Plantagenet race.

My copy was first published 1973, by Butler & Tanner Ltd, Frome and London.  It was then published by Eyre Methuen, London.

A Journey Through Wales Revisited

The record of a fellow touring through Wales during the year 1188 AD has a number of things to offer to the genealogist.  Understanding what this world was like during the Crusade period [3rd Crusade] is why this book is revisited here.

Born around 1145 AD, Gerald of Wales became part of the religious establishment of the day.  From his Benedictine Abbey background, he became a avid writer publishing some 17 books.  His Pembrokeshire birth and upbringing gave him a particular interest in his maternal Welsh heritage. [His father's side was Norman.]  He recorded his journey through Wales with Archbishop Baldwin during the year 1188 AD.  They were trying to drum up business for this 3rd crusade, and preached at the major Cathedrals. [Llandaff, St. David's, Bangor, and St. Asaph] which resulted in some 3,000 men of military age coming out of these hills. 

Gerald of Wales considered himself a historian, and tried to present the Welsh culture as he saw both the good and the bad.  For my own JONES surname tree climbing, it presented the local environment around St. Asaph where my own family was deeply involved.  

Those of Welsh descent will appreciate this cultural travel guide.  I have presented this reference in a previous post of  February 15, 2013, but feel it fits better into this chronology of the Crusade years.  The copy shown is published by Penguin Books, 1978 and reissued in 2004.

The Crusades

Urban II (Pope 1088 - 1099) is given the credit for getting the events started which were to change the Middle Ages.  Earliest writers seemed to call it a pilgrimage, but it was the special privilege to carry weapons that change this into what has become called "The Crusades". [ ca. 1095 - ca. 1291]  The following are readings that give several views into this period of our history.  I call them, a picture book, a story book, and a study book.

A picture book:

     For those who like lots of pictures (like me) this book is for you.

Written by Martin Erbstorsser, and published by Leipzig, 1979, it contains pictures.  The three civilizations involved ; 1) The Arabian Caliphate, 2) The Byzantine Empire, and 3) Western Europe and presented.  The book was translated from German by C.S.V. Salt.

A story book:

A book by Alfred Duggan, it was first published by Pantheon Books, 1963.  It tells this story in an easy manner, covering this topic.  A number of drawings and maps are included.

A study book:

For those who like to dig a little deeper, the book above is recommended.  This is the cover to second edition published by Oxford University Press, 1990.  It was first published in German 1965, by Hans Eberhard Mayer, and translated by John Gillingham in 1972.  It has been reprinted five times.  A good book to study on those long winter nights.

Feudalism

Feudalism is a term that often seeks a definition.  Good old Webster states:

 "the system of political organization prevailing in Europe from the 9th to about the 15th centuries having as its basis the relation of lord to vassal with all land held in fee and as chief characteristics homage, the service of tenants under arms and in court, wardship, and forfeiture"

[Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, p.421, 1981 edition.]

Wow...a neat little package...lord...vassal...and land... in some fixed social relation...is the concept.  For those who might like a little more understanding the following is recommended.

From Charlemagne's vast empire, to the French Revolution, is the real story.  This text by Jean-Pierre Poly, and Eric Bournazel (first written in French, translated by Caroline Higgitt) presents the complex story behind the word "Feudalism".

Power and control are the founding forces which bring social change to a chaotic period of human existence.  Who owns and controls the land is the decision that rules the environment of the day.  Beginning with "What is known" [Part I] to "New Interpretations" [Part II], the authors provide an in depth analysis to this period of our history.  French society leads the way, and as shown on the cover above, it was the Normans [from northern France] who brought these ideas to Albion.  The book is a broad overview of these changes that were to form a new social order.

Book was published by Holmes & Meier Publishers, Inc., New York, 1991.