Table of Contents

From age to age, from locality to locality, over and over we see the same story throughout Wales. Assault, resistance, survival: this is the story that forged one country out of valleys large and small. Romans, Saxons, Norsemen, Normans and the British Empire all tried to suppress us and make Wales into a peripheral province within their larger empires. But here we still stand: independent, and telling our story with pride.

Although we have been through all this as a country united, we can also celebrate smaller episodes within the sweep of history. Every mountain and lake, castle and village has its story to tell. Telling stories from all quarters feeds the country's heart.

These stories and ballads take us to every corner of Wales, celebrating variety and weaving it all together into one volume.

Reviews

How well informed are you about Wales and its heritage? If you enjoy stories and poems this is the book to inform and entertain you. Did you know that the Welsh descendants of pirate Robert Edwards,who died in 1778, could have a claim on the Big Apple's Manhattan Island real estate? How did the work of translators William Salesbury and William Morgan and Griffith Jones's Circulating Schools save the Welsh language and make Wales the most literate country in Europe at the time? What about the rôle of Amlwch's copper and Cardiff's coal exports during the Industrial Revolution and their effect on World trade? How have Welsh women, children and men contributed to their communities over the centuries? Why was a Welsh colony set up in Patagonia, and why did a local co-operative set up the Clynnog and Trefor bus company in 1912? Who were the Saints, Hengist, Lord Rhys, Princesses Gwenllȉan and Gwladus, Owain Glyndŵr, the Wynns of Gwydir, Hedd Wyn and the Beasley family and how did they influence Wales? Are there lessons to be learned? With over seventy stories from around the country the only weakness of this book is that there is no overview map for readers to see their scope and to enable them to add their own local tales both familiar and less well known. This English translation of the original Stori Cymru which was shortlisted for the Tir na n'Og prize is a most welcome addition to the bookshelves of both children and adults interested in Welsh history and culture. In the finest traditions of the wandering balladeer, long before newspapers and social media, Myrddin ap Dafydd has gathered tales of real people and events over the centuries in Wales, presented short narratives in a social context and accompanying poems in a range of styles which enable the reader to focus and think more deeply about what happened and why. The striking monochrome illustrations by Dorry Spikes provide an exciting visual commentary which further sharpens the enjoyment, with illustration being another way of telling stories. The author's purpose is made clear from the start: to amuse, to distract, to share Wales with children, adults and the world; through understanding the past. 'We will understand today's problems better – but more importantly, we will know where the answers can be found'. Youngsters and others will enjoy dipping in and learning about ordinary people as well as socially powerful characters; about social change and political developments in real contexts; about education, natural resources and industry, battles, betrayals and personal sacrifices; about the culture of Wales and its many layers from the Dark Ages to the here and now. No one can deny the writer's joy in words and passion for language, homeland and heritage : the energy is contagious.The tales are written in a clear style which is direct and easy to read whilst being full of facts and rich in commentary; they bring the so-called Curriculum Cymreig to life and will encourage discussion and local research, as well as understanding of the bigger picture. Varied forms show the potential of verse to consider, chronicle and comment as well as to encourage empathy and provide a treasure trove of inspiration whilst the musicality and drama of the poems cries out for action and song. This is not only a well researched source of information but also a spur to understanding and empathising with ancestors, providing a counterpoint companion to other history books. The book may well be a source of inspiration to other historians, storytellers and poets so that a copy of this quality volume and its Welsh original should be available for all pupils and teachers to read and enjoy. It would be an excellent gift for young and old alike at home and beyond Wales.
*Lorna Herbert Egan @ www.gwales.com*