Twelfth-Century Ideals of Beauty in Wales

Welsh ideals of beauty in the early twelfth century were very similar to those in the rest of Europe. Beauty standards were a reflection of the prevailing social, economic and artistic influences of the time, Welsh literature gives us a glimpse into what might be perceived as beautiful but what is depicted is often aligned with moral virtues so that a person may be beautiful because they possess kindness, wisdom or grace.

In the Middle Ages, pale and fair skin was often considered a mark of beauty as it was associated with the nobility who did not need to labour. In ‘‘The Mabinogion’’ a central character Rhiannon is described as having ‘skin whiter than the foam of the wave and her cheek redder than the reddest roses.’ Descriptions of beautiful women frequently highlight their skin’s purity or brightness. Meanwhile, long hair was seen as a hallmark of grace and femininity.

Women would often wear their hair loose or intricately braided. In the Welsh tale, ‘’Culhwch and Olwen’’ the beautiful daughter of the giant is described as having hair ‘ more yellow than the broom’. Golden or yellow hair was highly prized. A real queen, Angharad the wife of Gruffydd ap Cynan, was referred to as "Golden Haired". She was thought to be attractive and eloquent with large eyes, strong limbs, long fingers well-groomed nails, a nice figure, and fine feet. Also emphasised are her fine qualities: she was good-natured, kind-hearted and generous towards the poor. Large, expressive eyes and high cheekbones were believed to enhance one’s allure, and hazel eyes were particularly well regarded.

Cosmetic practices of the time were modest compared to modern beauty routines. Makeup was minimal and largely derived from natural sources, such as crushed berries and plant extracts, to add a touch of colour to lips and cheeks. This simplicity in cosmetic application emphasized the natural beauty of individuals and the appreciation for unadorned features.

If you want to find immerse yourself in a good tale about Wales in the Middle Ages have a look at ‘The Welsh Traitor’s Daughter’