On St David’s Day (March 1st) 2006, Her Majesty the Queen opened the Senedd or Welsh assembly building in Cardiff Bay. This is the culmination of a long and controversial process including national referenda in 1979 and 1997.

Plaid Cymru, the political party of Wales was formed in 1925 to promote a nationalist agenda including a fully independent state and preservation of the Welsh language and culture.

Coal, copper, silver, lead and gold have been mined for centuries and Cardiff, the country’s capital was once the largest coal exporting port in the world. Over the decade 1985 to 1994, the Wales coalfield was closed as “uneconomic” causing untold damage to close knit communities throughout the South Wales valleys. The Welsh mining industry is celebrated at the Big Pit mining museum in Blaenavon.

In January 1879, one hundred and thirty-nine soldiers of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot (renamed the South Wales Borderers in 1881) successfully defended their garrison against an intense assault by four to five thousand Zulu warriors at Rorke's Drift, South Africa. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded (Britain’s highest award for gallantry) and many are on display on the Regimental museum in Brecon.

In 1797, the last invasion of mainland Britain took place at Carreg Wasted near Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire. Local legend has it that when the French forces landed they were repelled by a group of Welsh Ladies armed only with pitchforks. The French Army mistook the black Welsh hats and the red flannel cloaks the ladies wore to be the British Army. The French Army conceded and the treaty was signed in the Royal Oak pub in Fishguard. The pub is still very much open for your business.

The Romans invaded Britain in AD43 and defeated the Silures tribe of South East Wales in AD 50. Their presence can be felt in place names beginning with Caer (derived from the Latin Castrum or fortified post) like Caerleon or Caerphilly. The Romans rarely ventured beyond South East Wales – for example to mine gold at Dolaucothi which can be visited today.

During the Iron Age, Celtic clans lived across Britain. You can visit a reconstruction of an Iron Age Fort on original foundations at Castell Henllys in Pembrokeshire

Owain Glyndŵr was the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales. On September 16th 1400, Glyndŵr instigated the Welsh Revolt against the rule of Henry IV of England. Although initially successful, the uprising was eventually put down — Glyndŵr was last seen in 1412 and was never captured, nor tempted by Royal Pardons and never betrayed. His final years are a mystery. He is believed to be buried at Monnington Straddel in Herefordshire.

Edward I built Caernarfon Castle in 1283 to secure his hold on the Kingdom of Gwynedd, recently conquered. Caernarfon is one of an estimated 427 castles many of which were built soon after the successful Norman invasion in 1066.

Henry Tudor was born in Pembroke castle on January 29th 1457. Tudor went on to be crowned King Henry VII of England in 1485 and established a dynasty that ruled until the death of Elizabeth I in 1603. The Tudor dynasty also established an influential clique of Welsh nobles at the Royal Court. Pembroke Castle is open to visitors.

The title, Prince of Wales or Tywysog Cymru was held by native Welsh princes until the 13th Century. Since 1284 when Edward II was invested, it has been granted to the Heir Apparent, the eldest living son of King or Queen, to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom.

Prince Charles was invested at Caernafon Castle in 1969. He wears the heraldic badge of Wales featuring three white ostrich feathers emerging from a gold coronet with the motto ich dien (German for "I serve").

Wales is home to some of Europe's finest surviving examples of medieval castle construction. Welsh castles can be divided into three categories: Norman Castles, Native Welsh Castles and Edward Castles.

The stone castles of the Normans were built shortly after the Norman victory over the Saxons in 1066. Outstanding castles in this category include Chepstow, Caerphilly and Pembroke, all located in South Wales. The fully decorated Cardiff Castle, in a class all its own, is a must-see for visitors to South Wales.

The second category is the native Welsh castles built by Wales’ own princes and ruling royal houses including Castell-y-Bere, Dolwyddelan, Carreg Cennen and Criccieth. These castles, scattered throughout the country, are best known for their dramatic and scenic settings.

The third category are the Edward Castles built by King Edward I in the 13th Century to subdue the rebellious princes of North Wales. The four Edward Castles of North Wales have attained UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The four castles, Harlech, Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris, known as the Iron Ring, can be visited over a long weekend.

The first complete translation of the Bible from Latin into Welsh was the manuscript of Celydd Sfan, known to exist by 1470. This was important to the survival of the Welsh language. It had the effect of conferring status on Welsh as a liturgical language and vehicle for worship. This in turn led to its continued use as a means of everyday communication down to the present day, despite the pressure of English.

In 1735, the Methodist revival in Wales is triggered by the religious conversion of Howell Harris at Talgarth church in 1735. This populist movement re-energised Christianity in Wales and gave it the church a unique place in Welsh culture. From this movement, we can trace the singing of hymns at any large gathering including rugby matches. Talgarth church and many other fine places of worship throughout Wales are open to worshippers and visitors alike.

If you would like to learn more, we have put together this list for you to explore at your leisure. The links will open in a new window:

Mining industry

South Wales Borderers Regimental Museum

The National Trust - Welsh Gold Mines

Early history on the Pembrokeshire coast

Pembroke Castle

Caernarfon Castle

Other Welsh Castles

Religion in Welsh history