Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #583734 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

Review

' Turvey's book fulfils and supsedes its objectives. and is a valuable addition to the literature on the subject'.
Paul Hope, Liverpool Hope University College, History

'...I would recommend it for anyone interested in medieval British, Irish and/or European history.'

James Doan, Humanites Division, Nova Southeastern University

From the Back Cover

In an age of conflict, where courage and heroism on the battlefield counted for much, the Welsh Princes were more than simply warriors they were rulers, defenders of their political, social and cultural heritage, they were men of faith, patrons of the arts and of the church. They were family men who loved, married and had children. They too suffered loss and felt deeply about their lives and of the lives of those around them.

`The Welsh Princes’ brings to life the behaviour, lifestyles, influence and power of one of the most important ruling elites in medieval western Europe. The careers of the Welsh princes throws a vivid light on the often ruthless nature of power and politics in the intensely competitive and intimate world of the native ruling elite. Roger Turvey offers an unique insight in to the life, society and attitudes of the Welsh aristocracy who are portrayed as flesh and blood characters.

Strarting in the mid eleventh century and running to the end of the thirteenth century, `The Welsh Princes’ portrays a violent and dynamic time when the Welsh struggled to maintain their independence and identity in the face of Anglo-Norman conquest and settlement. During these two centuries of conquest and foreign 'colonial' settlement, the politics, society, economy and church within Wales were profoundly transformed and its culture significantly affected. That transformation and the part played in it by the princes, and the extent to which they were affected by it is the core of this book.

Roger Turvey is the author of `Henry VII’ (2000) and `The Lord Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth’ (1997).

About the Author
Roger Turvey is an expert on the history of Wales. His publications include The Lord Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth (Gomer, 1999) and Wales and Britain 1906-1951 (Hodder & Stoughton, 1997).