Life anywhere in the twelfth century was tough but in Wales a combination of socio-political hardship, economic challenges added significantly to the daily grind of medieval existence. It was not all feasting and fun! The Welsh faced formidable obstacles that tested their determination and resilience.

With Valentine’s Day approaching there will be lots of flowers and gifts sent with messages of love. Love is inspirational and we all enjoy a good love story. Every culture has its tales of happy endings and those of unrequited love. The Welsh have their own Valentine equivalent. Saint Dwynwen is the patron saint of love, a figure who symbolises this profound emotion. Dwynwen’s life is steeped in legend and resonates with romance, resilience, and faith.

Princess Nest, the subject of much historical fiction, is a lady whose life is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. She was born in the 11th century in Wales and was a woman whose life was marked by political alliances, love affairs, scandal, a kidnapping but yet her lasting legacy was not just the tales of her outstanding beauty but her place as matriarch of a most powerful family.

Welsh people are very proud of their origins and those who speak Welsh speak a version of the earliest tongue spoken in Britain. There was a time when the ancestors of the Welsh lived and ruled right across Britain yet what do we know about this ancient culture?

Welsh literature is full of mythical hunting with one of the most famous being the story of Culhwch and Olwen. Olwen is the daughter of a fierce giant who sets Culhwch several formidable tasks including hunting down a supernatural wild boar called Twrch Twrch.

If we closed our eyes and concentrated on what we could smell around us right now, what would those smells be? Someone in a city flat might smell: petrol from cars below; cooking smells from neighbours or restaurants nearby; candle scents; dirty socks; damp runners; kitty litter; the washing powder in the washing machine; the peppermint smell of chewing gum and the list goes on. If you were in Wales in the Middle Ages what then might you smell?

Have you ever wondered what Christmas celebrations might have been like for the Welsh in the Middle Ages? What do you think the Welsh nobility and those who were not so fortunate might have done on Christmas Day? If we travel back over 900 years, what customs, rituals, and festivities marked the season?

At the end of the 11th century, the land we now call Wales was not a unified nation but rather a collection of several distinct kingdoms, each with its own rulers. While the Welsh people had a shared culture, of which they were fiercely proud, the kingdoms were in a state of flux. The Normans had taken advantage of shifting alliances among the kingdoms and fanned the conflict between them to their own advantage.

Christmas is coming and there is nothing better than curling up with a gifted book after all the mayhem has subsided. While paperbacks and hardbacks are always lovely, in recent years E-books have been increasingly popular gifts.

Henry 1 was a Norman king of England and the fourth son of William the Conqueror. Expanding his domains was in his DNA. Wales in 1114 was a patchwork of fiercely independent kingdoms and their rulers were prone to internecine conflicts.

12th Century Wales was divided into many small kingdoms, each having their own particular local customs and traditions. For all those kingdoms feasting was a way to bring people together from nobles to commoners in order to mark important occasions such as betrothals, religious festivals or battle victories.

It may surprise you to know that in the Middle Ages, a far-sighted Welsh ruler called Hywel Dda or Hywel the Good made contributions to jurisprudence which were innovative and groundbreaking.

Everybody has heard of the adventures of Joan of Arc or Boudicca but very few people outside of Wales have heard of Gwenllian, the Welsh Warrior Princess. History is written by the powerful and much of the story of this remarkable woman has been erased but there is enough information for us to find her tale inspirational

The annals of history are bursting with individuals whose actions and motivations are the subject of much debate: Owain ap Cadwgan is no exception

‘The Welsh Warrior’s Inheritance” is a historical fiction based in Wales which continues the true story of Gruffydd ap Cynan and his lovely wife Angharad. Is Gruffydd the Welsh warrior the title refers to? Gruffydd was a prominent Welsh king and ruler of Gwynydd at the end of the eleventh and beginning of the twelfth centuries.

In the annals of history, the Middle Ages stand as an era of turmoil, intrigue, and shifting allegiances. While the British Isles bore witness to countless battles and tales of power, one region often stands out for its tumultuous relationship with itself: Wales.

When we conjure images of the Middle Ages our minds often drift to castles, knights, and chivalry, Yet, within the tapestry of this era, lies a land rich with its unique history and culture: Wales. A land of towering mountains, lush pasture, and dramatic coastline, Wales in the Middle Ages holds a treasure trove of surprises that have often been overshadowed by other European counterparts. Here are ten unexpected facts about Wales and the mysterious Middle Ages.

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.

Nestled within the rugged landscape of North Wales lies the majestic and mystical region of Eryri which most people know as Snowdonia.

Steeped in history and tradition, Welsh ponies have roamed the rugged landscapes of Wales for centuries. Their story is one of resilience, intelligence and as captivating as any Welsh tale.