Wales vs. England in the 12th Century
"We have hitherto spoken in favour of the English, but being equally connected by birth with both nations, we must now turn our attention towards the Welsh, and instruct them…
From: 1194 C.E. To: 1194 C.E.
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
“Medieval Wales,” by Giraldus Cambrensis, from The Land of My Fathers: A Welsh Gift Book, by William Lewis Jones, 1915.
The Prince who wishes to subdue this people and to govern it peaceably must use this method. He must be determined to apply a diligent and constant attention to this purpose for one year at least, for a people who with a collected force will not openly attack the enemy in the field, nor wait to be besieged in castles, is not to be overcome at the first onset, but to be worn down by patience. Let him divide their strength, and by bribes and promises endeavour to stir up one against the other, knowing the spirit of hatred and envy which generally prevails amongst them; and in the autumn let not only the marches, but also the interior of the country, be strongly fortified with castles well provisioned and well garrisoned.
In the meantime the purchase of corn, cloth, and salt, with which they are usually supplied from England, should be strictly forbidden, and well-manned ships placed as a guard on the coast to prevent their importation of these articles from Ireland or the Severn Sea, and to facilitate the supply to the invading army. Afterwards, when the severity of winter approaches — when the trees have lost all their leaves, and the mountains no longer afford pasturage; when they are deprived of any hopes of plunder, and harassed on every side by the repeated attacks of the enemy — let a body of light-armed infantry (the inhabitants of the marches of Wales, who are constantly at war with the Welsh and know their manners and customs, are the only men by whom their final conquest can be accomplished) penetrate into their woody and mountainous retreats, and let these troops be supported and relieved by others; thus by frequent charges, and by replacing those who are worn out or slain in battle, this nation may be ultimately subdued.
It cannot be overcome except by the above method, nor can great danger and loss of men be avoided. Though many of the English hired troops may perish in battle, money will procure as many or more on the morrow for the same service; but the Welsh, who have no mercenary soldiers, cannot repair their losses.
When this nation is subdued, its government must be directed with moderation. Let the care of it be entrusted to a man of firm and determined mind, who will maintain a strong and stable rule. Whenever their natural inconstancy induces them to revolt, let punishment instantly follow the offence; but when they have submitted themselves again and made proper amends for their faults, let their former transgression be overlooked, and let them enjoy security and respect as long as they continue faithful. By mild treatment they will be invited to obedience and the love of peace, and the thought of certain punishment will deter them from rash attempts. As that State is happy which thinks of war in the time of peace, let the Governor prepare against the inconveniences of war by constructing forts and widening passes through woods.
We have hitherto spoken in favour of the English, but being equally connected by birth with both nations, we must now turn our attention towards the Welsh, and instruct them in the art of resistance. If the Welsh depended more on steady fighting than on their agility, if their Princes were unanimous and inseparable in their defence, or, rather, if they had only one Prince and that a good one, this nation, situated in so strong and inaccessible a country, could hardly ever be completely overcome. If they were inseparable, they would become insuperable. They have a country well defended by nature; they are a people both contented and accustomed to live upon little, and not only the nobles but the common people are instructed in the use of arms.
The English fight for power, the Welsh fight for liberty; the one to procure gain, the other to avoid loss; the English hirelings for money, the Welsh patriots for their country. The English, I say, fight in order to expel the original inhabitants from the island, and secure to themselves the possession of the whole; but the Welsh maintain the conflict that they, who so long enjoyed the sovereignty of the whole kingdom, may at least find a hiding-place in the worst corner of it.
During the expedition which Henry II made in our days against South Wales, an old Welshman at Pencader, when asked whether he thought the Welsh would offer resistance and what would be the result of the war, replied: "This nation, O King, may often be weakened, and in great part destroyed, by the power of yourself and of others, but many a time, as it deserves, it will rise triumphant. Never will it be totally destroyed by the wrath of man, unless the wrath of God be added. Nor do I think that any other nation than this of Wales, or any other tongue, whatever may hereafter come to pass, shall on the day of the great reckoning before the Most High Judge answer for this corner of the earth."
Giraldus Cambrensis, c. 1194.
Cambrensis, Giraldus. “Medieval Wales.” In The Land of My Fathers: A Welsh Gift Book. Edited by William Lewis Jones. Hodder & Stoughton, 1915.
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