War and Society in Medieval Wales 633-1283

Wales’s development as a post-Roman successor state is established in this groundbreaking study of medieval warfare and society. Dominant perceptions of the country in this formative period come from Gerald of Wales, who portrayed a race of noble savages, but a more sophisticated approach can now be taken which views the story within the context of Europe. The organisation of a king’s forces is examined along with their actions in the field; raiding, ravaging, sieges, battles and conduct are discussed, with analysis of infantry, cavalry, archers, equipment and fortifications. This book questions assumptions regarding the relationship of ‘fringe’ cultures to dominant civilisations and the image of the ‘barbarian’, from the Norman invasion of Wales to the Edwardian conquest of 1283.