Wales

:For alternate meanings, see Wales (disambiguation)

Politics

Main article: Politics of Wales; see also Politics of the United Kingdom

Related Topics:
Politics of Wales - Politics of the United Kingdom

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Wales has been a principality since the 13th century, initially under the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great, and later under his grandson, Llywelyn the Last, who took the title Prince of Wales around 1258, and was recognised by the English Crown in 1277 by the Treaty of Aberconwy. Following his defeat by Edward I, however, Welsh independence in the 14th century was limited to a number of minor revolts. The greatest such revolt was that of Owain Glyndwr, who gained popular support in 1400, and defeated an English force at Pumlumon in 1401. In response, the English parliament passed repressive measures denying the Welsh the right of assembly. Glyndwr was proclaimed Prince of Wales, and sought assistance from the French, but by 1409 his forces were scattered under the attacks of King Henry IV of England and further measures imposed against the Welsh.

Related Topics:
Principality - 13th century - Llywelyn the Great - Llywelyn the Last - Prince of Wales - 1258 - 1277 - Treaty of Aberconwy - Edward I - 14th century - Owain Glyndwr - 1400 - Pumlumon - 1401 - French - 1409 - Henry IV of England

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The Act of Union 1536 abolished the remaining Marcher Lordships, leaving Wales with thirteen counties: Anglesey, Brecon, Caernarfon, Cardigan, Carmarthen, Denbigh, Flint, Glamorgan, Merioneth, Monmouth, Montgomery, Pembroke, and Radnor, and applied the Law of England to both England and Wales, requiring the English language for official purposes. This excluded most native Welsh from any formal office. Wales continues to share a legal identity with England to a large degree as the joint entity of England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland retain separate legal systems.

Related Topics:
Act of Union 1536 - Marcher Lordships - Counties - Anglesey - Brecon - Caernarfon - Cardigan - Carmarthen - Denbigh - Flint - Glamorgan - Merioneth - Monmouth - Montgomery - Pembroke - Radnor - English language - England and Wales

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Wales was for centuries dwarfed by its larger neighbour, England. Indeed, one well-known British encyclopedia was said — perhaps apocryphally — to have had an entry reading "WALES. See under ENGLAND". In 1955 steps were taken to re-establish a sense of national identity for Wales when Cardiff was established as its capital. Before this, legislation passed by the UK parliament had simply referred to England, rather than England and Wales.

Related Topics:
1955 - Cardiff - UK parliament

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Since 1993 and the passing of the Welsh Language Act it has been law for all documents produced by public bodies to be in both English and Welsh. Many private companies have followed suit, producing literature with similar bilingual qualities.

Related Topics:
1993 - Welsh Language Act - English - Welsh - Bilingual

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The National Assembly for Wales, sitting in Cardiff, first elected in 1999, is elected by the Welsh people and has its powers defined by the Government of Wales Act 1998. The title of Prince of Wales is still given by the reigning British monarch to his or her eldest son, but in modern times the Prince does not live in Wales and has no direct involvement with administration or government. The Prince is, however, still symbolically linked to the principality; the investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales took place at Caernarfon Castle in North Wales, a place traditionally associated with the creation of the title in the 13th century. The investiture was considered an insult by some Welsh people, and Welsh folk singer Dafydd Iwan released mocking singles called Croeso Chwedeg Nain (Welcome 69, although a literal translation would be Welcome Granny's 60th (birthday)) and Carlo (Charlie). Two members of "Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru" – MAC (Welsh Defence Movement) – George Taylor and Alwyn Jones, the "Abergele Martyrs", were killed by a home made bomb at Abergele the day before the investiture ceremony.

Related Topics:
National Assembly for Wales - Cardiff - 1999 - Government of Wales Act 1998 - Charles, Prince of Wales - Caernarfon Castle - North Wales - 13th century - Dafydd Iwan - Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru - Abergele

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