Browsing these Welsh history memes is like reliving a forgotten memory. They’re oddly familiar, yet they always teach me something new about Welsh history in no time at all.

Disclaimer: All memes are crafted by the Welsh Histories Facebook Page. By crediting us, you help support our efforts to create and share more fascinating content on Welsh history.

#1.

If you know, you know…

#2.

As many of us (especially those of us who commute/enjoy a train journey) are already aware, the Beeching Cuts of 1963 had an enormous and detrimental effect on Cymru and its railways.

189 stations in Cymru were closed on top of the 166 stations set for closure pre-Beeching, such as the station at St Asaph, Denbighshire. This left behind a fractured railway system which has been struggling ever since.

Inarguably, the cuts divided the South and North of the country. One such example of this is the journey from Rhyl to Caerdydd (Cardiff), as it now takes up to 4 hours (if you are lucky). You also need to travel through England for many of the inter-Welsh journeys you wish to take, when it should not be necessary. I have been stopped at Crewe station plenty of times in the past, awaiting a train transfer that, again, need not be necessary.

Another obvious example is the journey from Pwllheli to Bangor. The Welsh town and city are separated by a mere 47 km (29 miles) and yet if you wish to get to either from the other via train, it will take you anything from 90 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the available route.

#3.

It’s “meicrodon” and you know it. 

#4.

He is one of only two Welsh Kings to be nicknamed “the Great” (the other being the far earlier Rhodri Mawr) for a reason! 

Cymru had many Kings, Queens and Princes before the Conquest of Wales by Edward Longshanks in the late 13th century. Arguably the greatest of them all was Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (1173-1240), and he is often known as Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the Great).

#5.

Here’s another homemade meme and this one references Llywelyn (who is unfortunately referred to as “Llywelyn the Last”) and Dafydd ap Gruffudd. 

Llywelyn reigned between 1246 and 1282, whilst Dafydd reigned between 1282 and 1283. Both brothers are often seen as the last native “Princes of Wales”, aside from Owain Glyndwr, who came well over a century later. 

It was at the Battle of Orewin Bridge at Builth Wells in 1282 where Llywelyn, the older of the brothers, would perish in battle during the “Welsh Wars” against Edward I. The circumstances are not known but a subject of speculation. He was slain defending his homeland in battle; decapitated by the forces of Edward and viciously mocked by English King and forces alike while his head sat at the Tower of London for over *fifteen years*. It is said that his head was even crowned with ivy in London – a mocking tribute to the ancient Welsh prophecy of a Welsh King being crowned “King of Britain” in London.

As for Dafydd, he would become Prince of Wales following his brother’s death. He would continue the fight but fall into captivity the following year, where he would be tried for high treason (the first to have ever been tried for such “crime”) and would be hanged, drawn and quartered.

The title “Prince of Wales” would end there, at least as far as native Princes are concerned. It now carries on as a title for the heir to the throne, as intended by Edward I, who wished it to be so as a form of mockery towards Cymru.

If a Welshman wishes to support the current “Prince of Wales” and the title, that is fine. However, that doesn’t mean everyone has to. There are perfectly valid reasons to avoid doing so.

#6.

Sure, British history has a lot to it… but Welsh history, at least to me, is far more interesting. 

I think each of Cymru, Alba and England should celebrate their individual histories more, personally!

#7.

I think it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of the day 

#8.

This is in reference to certain members of the comment section who get upset any time that I allude to the oppressive parts of our history (Edward’s Conquest of Wales, Laws in Wales Acts, Plantations, Welsh Not etc).

Just because these parts of our history get mentioned does not mean that *you* personally are to blame. These events happened long ago and not a single living Welsh person is blaming you for them.

No one is blaming you! Relax! 

#9.

Historically, Welsh history, culture and language has been suppressed. 

Together, let’s make sure it never happens again 

#10.

Betsi Cadwaladr (1789-1860) was from a working-class background at a time when being a working class woman often meant a lifetime of housework. She would instead prove to be one of the most significant figures in healthcare – a moderniser who recognised the importance of cleaning wounds and keeping them clean.

Whilst a mutual respect would grow between the two, Betsi would often butt heads with the other most famous nurse of the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale – a woman from a very opposite background to Betsi. It is believed she would initially sneer at the Welshwoman but come to respect her and her methods.

One of the more well-known comments Betsi made to Florence was: “Do you think I am a dog or an animal to make me over? I have a will of my own.” – This came after Nightingale attempted to bar Cadwaladr from working in Crimea, perhaps fearing the rise of Betsi as a famed nurse in her own right.

#11.

Owain Glyndŵr (1354-1415) virtually disappeared without a trace around the year 1412. 

The Prince of Wales wasn’t betrayed; was never spotted nor captured (despite the extremely generous sums of money being offered) and royal pardons were entirely ignored. 

It is often claimed (and is perhaps most likely, given his age and living conditions) that he died during this time, with a number of different burial sites proposed. It is generally agreed upon, however, that he passed away in the year 1415 – a theory supported by the contemporary writer and supporter of Glyndŵr, Adam of Usk (1352–1430), who wrote:

“After four years in hiding, from the king and the realm, Owain Glyndŵr died, and was buried by his followers in the darkness of night. His grave was discovered by his enemies, however, so he had to be re-buried, though it is impossible to discover where he was laid.”

Personally, I like to believe that he found some sacred relic which grants eternal life and he is biding his time before rising again. With a dragon. And Tupac.

#12.

Owain Gwynedd (1100-1170) reigned as King of Gwynedd from 1137 until his death in 1170, after succeeding King Gruffudd ap Cynan.

Two notable aspects of Owain are that he was posthumously recognised as Owain “Fawr” (Owain “The Great”) and that he is considered the first ever true “Tywysog Cymru” (Prince of Wales). 

Owain was never expected to rule as King of Gwynedd, as he did have an older brother in Cadwallon – but he perished in battle in the year 1132. After all, this was a tumultuous time – when Norman rulers had turned their swords towards Cymru following the death of William the Conqueror, who had little interest in doing so.

Owain became a leader of men even prior to becoming King, as he led his father’s troops into battle once Gruffudd had grown too old (and blind) to lead them himself.

As early as 1136, one year before his reign, he had already achieved numerous victories over the Normans, including the Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136. Ceredigion, too, was annexed into the Kingdom of Gwynedd via his battle acumen.

Owain initially only inherited part of the Gogledd Cymru (North Wales) Kingdom in 1137. However, the man who received the other part, his brother Cadwaladr, would later be indicted for the murder of the Welsh Prince of Deheubarth and become exiled.

The Anarchy between 1138 and 1153 allowed Owain to push the Kingdom’s borders further east, leading to the subjugation of Powys in 1150. However, Powys’ Prince, Madog, aligned with King Henry II of England in 1154 and Owain’s exiled brother, Cadwaladr. The Battle of Ewloe would ensue between the forces of Henry and Owain, with Henry being victorious and leading to the surrender of the easterly territorial captures of Owain. However, Henry was almost captured in the battle – this would have significantly altered history!

Owain regained Powys upon Madog’s death in 1160 and aligned with Deheubarth to challenge Henry II once more, who had angered the entirety of the Welsh population drawing the previous war, in which Henry’s men destroyed numerous churches. All of the Welsh aligned behind Owain this time – the arguable first true war between Cymru and Lloegr (England). The terrible weather conditions (poor weather in Wales?) assisted Owain in the war, though Henry captured and mutilated two of Owain’s sons. 

Owain wrote to Louis VII of France often, and it was during these letters where he referred to himself as the “King of Wales” before adopting the title “Prince of Wales”.

Owain offered to make Cymru a vassal of the French, too, which would have surely been interesting! However, he was likely offering such promises to entice Louis into battle against Henry. Henry would never invade Gwynedd again, though, and Gwynedd would once more welcome Rhuddlan and Powys into the Kingdom’s borders.

Owain also had a dispute with the famed Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, over the selection for the vacant position of Bishop of Bangor. Owain eventually won the dispute.

Owain Gwynedd remains my personal favourite of all of the Welsh Kings. A unifier whose place in history should be better regarded.

#13.

Almost daily, we are greeted with the myth that Cymru is a principality. Perhaps this is not helped by renaming the ‘Millennium Stadium’ to the ‘Principality Stadium’. The title of ‘Prince of Wales’ likely doesn’t help, either.

Here are the facts:

We haven’t been a principality since the 16th century (specifically 1542 with the second Laws in Wales Act during the reign of Henry VIII) – and there are arguments we were never one to begin with. 

This myth is sometimes perpetrated by the disingenuous. Most often, it is a simple mistake that even we, sometimes, as Welsh people make. It happens but it really shouldn’t and more information should be made available on this, so that our position as a country isn’t questioned by those who intend to question it.

Cymru is a country. Stop spreading the myth.

#14.

This is just a silly one I made because I was out of ideas 

Despite being Welsh, I never learned Welsh at school – an undoubted, strongly disliked con of being raised in a predominantly English-speaking part of the country.

I learned Welsh much later on, as an adult, and it wasn’t until I became a teacher in a Welsh school that I became exposed to names like “Lleucu” and “Gwenllian”.

Mispronouncing one such name whilst reading the register is what spurred me to learn Cymraeg and I am far happier now that I can do so!

#15.

The Edwardian Conquest of Wales by Edward I (often known as Edward Longshanks) took place between 1277 and 1283. It culminated with the deaths/executions of Llywelyn (1282) and Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1283), the last of the native Princes of Wales.

A couple of descendants would claim the title in the coming years, such as the rebels Madog ap Llywelyn (Welsh Revolt of 1294–95) and, most notably, Owain Glyndŵr (Glyndŵr Uprising of 1400-1415).

#16.

There is a small minority of people in the comments section who turn up to it with the intention of denouncing and/or belittling our history, language and culture. They use terms like “anti-English” and talk about how unfair/mean it is to the current “Prince of Wales”. 

Firstly, there is nothing anti-English about Welsh history. On the contrary, Welsh history includes significant examples of anti-Welshness at the hands of the English establishment and, earlier, the Normans. This does not mean – and no one, literally no one is insinuating – that the present-day English people are at fault. However, if an English person acts like this in the comments section, then that person is certainly part of the problem.

I talk about all aspects of our history at Welsh Histories and, yes, I often place emphasis on the neglected, darker parts of our history (Welsh Not, Capel Celyn, Laws in Wales Act, Edwardian Conquest etc) because they have, for too long, been neglected. Many of us weren’t even taught about our history in school. I won’t be forced to stop talking about it. I hope you understand.

#17.

Keep an eye on our upcoming physical copies of Welsh Histories magazine.

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Sally George

Sally is a proud wife of a Welshman, editor & writer of Welsh Histories. She’s all about stories—that shout ‘anything Welsh.’ Drop her an email if you have an advice, insight, experience, or a story to share.