Unfortunately, that vision of union kept the Kings at Aberffraw in a perpetual funk about their fallen state, their countrymen in a perpetual revolt against any encroachments on their traditions and liberties, and everyone in acceptance that at the end of the day whoever was King in London was the rightful overlord of the island. The king's bard was required - by law - to sing the History of the Britons before and after each battle and, while dreams of Cadwaladr and Cynan's return gave way to newer legends of Arthur, the Welsh never forgot the united Britain that once was. That Romano-Pictish kingdom - along with some more heavily Romanized successor states in the southeast - successfully resisted the Saxons, Black Gentiles (=Vikings), Barbarians (=Irish), more Saxons, and then the French (=Normans) for centuries until finally falling to Edward I, who filled Wales with England's greatest castles to hold it.Īs so often happens with great storylines, the Welsh's greatest strength was their greatest weakness: their long history & many exemplars gave them purpose and drive. The nobles of the area are the Cymry (Brotherhood) who joined Cunedda of Strathclyde in retaking the north coast from Irish invaders after Roman withdrawal left a power vacuum on the island. The Kingdom of Wales is a Christian (formerly pagan) nation found on Great Britain.
