Wales (Welsh: Cymru[ˈkəm.rɨ](listen)) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in 2021 of 3,107,500 and has a total area of 20,779 km2 (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of coastline and is largely mountainous with its higher peaks in the north and central areas, including Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), its highest summit. The country lies within the north temperate zone and has a changeable, maritime climate. The capital and largest city is Cardiff.
Y Gododdin (pronounced [ə ɡɔˈdɔðɪn]) is a medieval poem consisting of a series of elegies to the men of the Britonnic kingdom of Gododdin and its allies who, according to the usual interpretation, died fighting the Angles of Deira and Bernicia at a place named Catraeth. Gododdin held territories in what is now southeast Scotland and Northumberland, part of the Hen Ogledd (Old North). The poem tells how a force of 300 (or 363) picked warriors were assembled, some from as far afield as Pictland and Gwynedd. After a year of feasting at Din Eidyn, now Edinburgh, they attacked Catraeth – usually identified with Catterick, North Yorkshire. After several days of fighting against overwhelming odds, nearly all the warriors were killed.
The poem is traditionally ascribed to the bard Aneirin, and survives only in one manuscript, known as the Book of Aneirin, which is written partly in Middle Welsh orthography and partly in Old Welsh. There is debate among scholars about the date of the poetry: some consider that the original, oral version was composed in the Hen Ogledd – the Brythonic-speaking parts of northern Britain – soon after the battle. The original language of the poem would then have been Cumbric, and the work would be the oldest surviving poem from what is now Scotland. Others believe that it originated in Wales in the 9th or the 10th century, which would make it one of the earliest poems written in a form of Welsh. The manuscript contains several interpolations, one of which may be the earliest known reference to King Arthur.
... that the 16th-century chancel window of the church of St Cristiolus, Llangristiolus, has been described as "almost too big to fit" in the east wall?
Arthur Joseph "Monkey" Gould (10 October 1864 – 2 January 1919) was a Welsh international rugby unioncentre and full back who was most associated as a club player with Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 27 caps for Wales, 18 as captain, and is considered the first superstar of Welsh rugby. Gould led Wales to the country's very first Home Nations Championship and Triple Crown titles in 1893; defining himself as a great player and captain in the match against England during the same tournament. Towards the end of his career Gould was at the centre of a controversy which saw Wales withdraw from international rugby for 12 months.
Gould was the most capped Welsh centre until Steve Fenwick of Bridgend beat the record at Lansdowne Road on 15 March 1980. He played 27 times for Wales, twice at full back and 25 at centre, ending his career against England on 9 January 1897. This last game was played in front of 17,000 supporters at Rodney Parade; Wales won 11–0. It was the 18th time Gould had captained Wales and this record stood until broken by Ieuan Evans in 1994.
A superb all round player and even-time sprinter with swerve, Gould could side-step and kick with either foot. He never ceased to practise to develop his fitness and skills. He was considered the outstanding player of his time.
Image 13Medieval kingdoms of Wales are shown within the boundaries of the present-day country of Wales and not inclusive of all. (from History of Wales)
Image 14Caradog by Thomas Prydderch. Caradog led multiple celtic tribes against the Romans. (from History of Wales)
Image 18'The Welsh at Mametz Wood' painted by Christopher Williams, commissioned by Secretary of State for War at the time, David Lloyd George. (from History of Wales)
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