Synopses & Reviews
The Welsh princes were one of the most important ruling elite in medieval Western Europe and this text examines their behavior, influence and power. From the mid-eleventh century to the end of the thirteenth, conquest and foreign 'colonial' settlement profoundly transformed Wales. Massive changes took place in the political, economic, social and religious spheres, and Welsh culture was significantly affected. Roger Turvey looks at this transformation, its impact on the Welsh princes and the part they themselves played in it. Drawing out the human qualities of flesh and blood characters, Turvey paints a vivid and compelling picture of a fascinating elite. For those interested in Medieval or British history.
Synopsis
The period from the mid-11th to the end of the 13th century was a time of great change in Wales and was beset by the struggle to maintain their independence and identity from their English neighbours. This broad-ranging study provides a good introduction to this period of Welsh history, to the social, economic, political and religious changes that took place and to the role of the Welsh princes and aristocracy in these transformations. An authoritative, well written book that looks at the power of a ruling elite, their part in administrative re-organisation, the ruthless consolidation of power and the political and military competition for supremacy among different kingdoms.
Synopsis
The Welsh princes were one of the most important ruling elites in medieval western Europe. This volume examines their behaviour, influence and power in a period when the Welsh were struggling to maintain their independence and identity in the face of Anglo-Norman settlement. From the mid-eleventh century to the end of the thirteenth, Wales was profoundly transformed by conquest and foreign 'colonial' settlement. Massive changes took place in the political, economic, social and religious spheres and Welsh culture was significantly affected. Roger Turvey looks at this transformation, its impact on the Welsh princes and the part they themselves played in it. Turvey's survey of the various aspects of princely life, power and influence draws out the human qualities of these flesh and blood characters, and is written very much with the general reader in mind.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 202-204) and index.