|
 Unlike most countries in
Europe at the time, the style and method of medieval Welsh warfare
was not overly influenced by feudalism. The survival of earlier
traditions of pre Roman and early medieval Celtic culture in Wales
was reflected in military terms.
The Welsh armies which faced Anglo-Norman incursions were based
around the individual princes' and chieftains' personal bodyguards (Teulu).
The rest of the force would comprise of any local men over the age
of 14; this service was seen as a privilege, as opposed to feudal
militias who saw such service as an obligation.
When the Welsh princes were strong they could enforce a grudging
acknowledgement of their position from the king. When they were
weak, the king granted treaties firmly maintaining his view of
homage. Llywelyn the Great had sought to solve the problem before
his death.
He had two sons, Gruffydd by a Welsh lady and the younger, David, by
his wife Joan. Welsh law at the time said that both sons should
inherit a law which had been the cause of so many of those
disputed successions which had brought ruin to Wales in the past.
Llywelyn made a bold and successful attempt to put this dangerous
Welsh law aside in favor of the English system, and finally got the
consent of King Henry III to agree to the succession of David as his
sole heir.
Aberfan
Llywelyn Coal Mines
Slag Heap Shale
Cracks Land Slide
Farm Cottage
Pantglas School
Tribunal Ncb
Fund
Aberfan Today |
