1444 - The duchy of wales and the age of discovery
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Welsh Traditions and Ambitions
Army Morale +10% Attrition for Enemies +1 |
Welsh Ideas
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Generic Idea Groups
None
None
Prologue
The Welsh identity was formed in the power vacuum left behind from the withdrawal of Roman authority from the Celtic Britain. The aristocracy of these native Britons had adopted much of the political and philosophical culture of their imperial superiors and, despite Christianity's similarly successful spread throughout all of the Isles, notable differences had formed between the Welsh and Celtic cultures beyond Rome's grasp. In the centuries that followed, the Welsh fought for control of Britain against their fellow Celts, Germanic invaders, and each other. It was during this period that the strong bardic traditions of the Welsh formed an identity around the heroic ideals of their greatest leaders, including Arthur and his knights, and Celtic Christianity flourished, granting these societies on the edge of the civilized world a vital connection to the affairs of greater Europe.
Though the Welsh grew famed for their tenacity and resourcefulness in war, they had great difficulty uniting politically to consolidate any period of success. The independent Welsh kingdoms eventually lost ground to the Saxon migrations, but they weathered the Viking invasions and outlasted the Saxon kingdoms, who were subsequently conquered by the Normans. However, the Norman kings would then turn their attention towards the Welsh as these free nations directly threatened their authority and often raided their lands. Well organized and with Papal sanction, the Norman kings began to encroach upon the fragmented Welsh nobility. In the 13th century, King Llywelyn Fawn, known as the Great, finally showed the potential of a united Wales and some visionaries could began to imagine the formation of a Welsh kingdom to rival England and ensure their independent rule. Unfortunately, after King Llywelyn's death, the cunning English bent their resources to subjugating all the lands of Britain to the Irish Sea.
King Llywelyn Fawn's grandsons, King Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and his brother, Prince Dafydd, fought the English aggression with some success, but were plagued by traitorous nobility, and were unable to mobilize a full resistance to English occupation of their lands. With their death, King Edward I of England claimed that the house of Gwynedd was ended and the kingdom of Wales was no more. Since then, the Welsh nobility has payed fealty to the king of England and much of the Welsh people suffer under English lords, but this injustice has not been accepted by the true sons of Britain. Only thirty years ago, Owain Glyndŵr successfully roused commoner and noble alike into a great rebellion against the tyrant, King Henry IV. It took over two years for the English to pacify the Welsh provinces and Owain Glyndŵr was never caught, and Prince Henry adopted more conciliatory policies towards the Welsh nobility when he inherited the throne as King Henry V, in hopes of avoiding another rebellion.
Now,
Llywelyn Fawn, the Great
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Last
Subjugation in the 13th century by King Edward I
Rebellion 30 years ago by Owain Glyndŵr, defeated by Henry IV, and Prince Henry
King Henry V adopted conciliatory policies, and Autonomy negotiated with Henry VI
The Welsh identity was formed in the power vacuum left behind from the withdrawal of Roman authority from the Celtic Britain. The aristocracy of these native Britons had adopted much of the political and philosophical culture of their imperial superiors and, despite Christianity's similarly successful spread throughout all of the Isles, notable differences had formed between the Welsh and Celtic cultures beyond Rome's grasp. In the centuries that followed, the Welsh fought for control of Britain against their fellow Celts, Germanic invaders, and each other. It was during this period that the strong bardic traditions of the Welsh formed an identity around the heroic ideals of their greatest leaders, including Arthur and his knights, and Celtic Christianity flourished, granting these societies on the edge of the civilized world a vital connection to the affairs of greater Europe.
Though the Welsh grew famed for their tenacity and resourcefulness in war, they had great difficulty uniting politically to consolidate any period of success. The independent Welsh kingdoms eventually lost ground to the Saxon migrations, but they weathered the Viking invasions and outlasted the Saxon kingdoms, who were subsequently conquered by the Normans. However, the Norman kings would then turn their attention towards the Welsh as these free nations directly threatened their authority and often raided their lands. Well organized and with Papal sanction, the Norman kings began to encroach upon the fragmented Welsh nobility. In the 13th century, King Llywelyn Fawn, known as the Great, finally showed the potential of a united Wales and some visionaries could began to imagine the formation of a Welsh kingdom to rival England and ensure their independent rule. Unfortunately, after King Llywelyn's death, the cunning English bent their resources to subjugating all the lands of Britain to the Irish Sea.
King Llywelyn Fawn's grandsons, King Llywelyn ap Gruffydd and his brother, Prince Dafydd, fought the English aggression with some success, but were plagued by traitorous nobility, and were unable to mobilize a full resistance to English occupation of their lands. With their death, King Edward I of England claimed that the house of Gwynedd was ended and the kingdom of Wales was no more. Since then, the Welsh nobility has payed fealty to the king of England and much of the Welsh people suffer under English lords, but this injustice has not been accepted by the true sons of Britain. Only thirty years ago, Owain Glyndŵr successfully roused commoner and noble alike into a great rebellion against the tyrant, King Henry IV. It took over two years for the English to pacify the Welsh provinces and Owain Glyndŵr was never caught, and Prince Henry adopted more conciliatory policies towards the Welsh nobility when he inherited the throne as King Henry V, in hopes of avoiding another rebellion.
Now,
Llywelyn Fawn, the Great
Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the Last
Subjugation in the 13th century by King Edward I
Rebellion 30 years ago by Owain Glyndŵr, defeated by Henry IV, and Prince Henry
King Henry V adopted conciliatory policies, and Autonomy negotiated with Henry VI
Duke Llewelyn IV (1444 - 1450)
The Welsh State and the Mynyw Dynasty ->Prologue
Delegation of authority for the duchies of Northumberland, Wales, and Cornwall un King Henry VI
English-French Unification War
Aggressors: England
Defenders: France, Scotland, Venice, Genoa
England takes the Scottish Marches and loses Maine
The Welsh State and the Mynyw Dynasty ->Prologue
Delegation of authority for the duchies of Northumberland, Wales, and Cornwall un King Henry VI
English-French Unification War
Aggressors: England
Defenders: France, Scotland, Venice, Genoa
England takes the Scottish Marches and loses Maine
Duke
