24 April 2025

By Abbosh Jayden & Etienne Brödel

When we think about nations and their identities, we often think in terms of flags, languages, and parliaments. But in the case of Wales, its journey to national recognition is a story woven from conquest, cultural suppression, and a steady, stubborn fight for autonomy.

⚔️ Edward I and the Crushing of Welsh Sovereignty

It all began in 1277, when Edward I of England launched his first campaign against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd. By 1282, Llywelyn was dead, his brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd was executed, and resistance collapsed. The Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 officially annexed Wales to the English Crown and imported English legal and administrative systems. To seal his conquest, Edward built castles—Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech—massive stone reminders of who ruled. These weren’t just fortresses; they were symbols, part of a strategic “Ring of Iron” designed to keep Wales under control.

🏹 Cultural Suppression: More Than Just Language

But Edward’s conquest wasn’t just military—it was cultural. Welsh was marginalized. Bardic traditions were silenced. Religious relics and symbols of Welsh sovereignty, like the Crown of Llywelyn, were seized or destroyed. Even the title “Prince of Wales” was handed to Edward’s son—an English prince. The Welsh didn’t just lose a war; they lost the tools to tell their own story.

🧱 Borderlands and the Anglicization of Wales

In the Marches—the border zones—Welsh identity eroded faster. Local lords (the Marcher Lords) acted with near-total autonomy. Over time, the Laws in Wales Acts (1536, 1543) abolished their rule, merging the region into English governance. English became the only legal language, and Welsh people were barred from holding public office. The result? A fractured Welsh identity, particularly in border regions where English influence was strongest.

🗳️ The Slow Climb Back: Devolution and Modern Wales

Fast-forward to 1997. After centuries of suppression, Wales voted—by a whisker (50.3%)—for devolution. The Government of Wales Act (1998) created the National Assembly for Wales, giving it control over areas like health, education, and transport. Today, parties like Plaid Cymru champion Welsh independence and language revival. Yet, even as devolution expands, Wales still faces a modern identity crisis—especially in regions where Welsh is no longer spoken.

🇬🇧 Wales Today: Caught Between Two Worlds

The conquest of Wales may be medieval history, but its effects are anything but ancient. From castle ruins to policy debates, from cultural pride to contested autonomy, Wales continues to navigate its complex place within the United Kingdom. With Brexit prompting renewed questions about national sovereignty and unity, the Welsh question is no longer just historical—it's political, current, and deeply relevant.

Sources:
 Davies, John (2007). A History of Wales. Penguin Books.
 Jenkins, Geraint H. (2007). A Concise History of Wales. Cambridge University Press.
 BBC History, History Today, Castlewales.com, Mortimer History Society.