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History of the Welsh Language, Part 3

© Sarah Stevenson

The Statute of Rhuddlan in 1294 marked the success of Edward I's conquest of Wales and strengthened England's hold over the nation. However, this did not prevent the continued flowering of the literature and tradition of Wales. Though bards were no longer given long-term employment by the courts or the gentry, they wandered to homes and festivals on "bardic circuits" spreading the oral literature and traditions of the Welsh. Dafydd ap Gwylim, one of the most celebrated poets of medieval Wales, created his work during this time. This continuing spirit of Welsh identity, combined with increasing dissatisfaction under English control, helped pave the way for a historic rebellion.

A National Hero. During the 14th century, Henry IV ascended the English throne. He was largely seen as a usurper, and the political climate was ripe for rebellion. In 1400, the Welsh lord Owain Glyndwr inspired the people of Wales to assert their independence. Not only did he successfully consolidate many Welsh lands, holding them against the English with support from Ireland, Scotland and France, he also began to institute national reforms in his new role as Prince of Wales. One of his goals was the establishment of two universities, to train Welsh-speaking administrators for the new state.

But his hopes for an independent nation died when he was betrayed, enabling Henry IV's son to retake strategic lands. The rebellion ended, and Owain's ultimate fate remains unknown. Following the failed uprising, the Welsh were punished with harsh legislation: Fines were imposed, they were forbidden to bear arms or hold office, and intermarriage between Welsh and English was prohibited.

Linguistic Discrimination and the Acts of Union. However, the biggest blow to the Welsh language was still to come. After the Wars of the Roses, Henry Tudor claimed the English throne--a leader of Welsh descent who raised the hopes of the Welsh people and gave them local power. But the allegiance of the Welsh with the Tudors also enabled the uneventful passage of the Acts of Union in 1536 and 1543.

At the time, many saw these acts as positive, giving the Welsh full equality with the English before the law and stabilizing the political situation. However, they also fully incorporated Wales into England, making English law the law of the land and the English language the only permissible language of the court. This amounted to legal discrimination against the Welsh language and its speakers. It also initiated a growing divide between the English-speaking gentry--who flooded to London in increasing numbers--and the Welsh-speaking layer of society. But despite the widespread political discrimination against Welsh speakers, the language remained alive and well thanks to its role in religion.

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