Wales: England's Colony?

by Martin Johnes

From the very beginnings of Wales, its people have defined themselves against their large neighbour. England’s Colony? shows, that relationship has not only defined what it has meant to be Welsh, it has also been central to making and defining Wales as a nation. Yet the relationship between the two nations has not always been a happy one and never one between equals. Wales was England’s first colony and its conquest was by military force. It was later formally annexed, ending its separate legal status. Yet most of the Welsh reconciled themselves to their position and embraced the economic and individual opportunities being part of Britain and its Empire offered. Only in the later half of the twentieth century, in response to the decline of the Welsh language and traditional industry, did Welsh nationalism grow.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

196 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Aneurin Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Content good, well argued, thought provoking, and I feel remained impartial on the whole. The arguments flow well however, shorter chapters would be beneficial to keep the reader more engaged.

[Christopher Bristow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book quite boring to read. I spent a long time looking for a book that I thought could present a balanced perspective on the independence question, however, this book reads like an executive summary. It lacks depth, sometimes I think it lacks an unbiased viewpoint, especially the authors apparently personal, and non-evidence based negative comments about the Welsh Assembly/Government. I didn't expect it to be detailed in all aspects, for example if I wanted to read about Welsh history I would read John Davies' excellent book, nor did I expect it to give a more complete picture, what I did expect is a more balanced, detailed, readable presentation of the facts and viewpoints of all parties involved.

[Kai T · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Wales: England’s” could be the most sensational statement that someone could make as it suggests that the superior England is exploitng its neighbouring inferior Wales. But indeed the book title has a question mark in it which reads “Wales: England’s colony?” and it is this question that the historian Martin Johnes answers in this small book.

The book suggests that Wales was a England’s colony as the Anglo-Saxons conquered, governed and emigrated to the place. There was an obvious us-vs-them element at the time as the English word “Wales” actually means foreign and strange. With that being said, although from nowadays viewpoint, people are less likely to see the difference between nations in the UK in terms of race, but it was the case at the time. Being a united Kingdom always was and is an essential offical language, but it wouldn’t stop the fact that some beheld bias against the Welsh based on their pride and prejudice.

Assimiltion took place throughout the history of colonialism and it came to the point, the author argues that, Wales was not a colony anymore but became an important member of the UK. Welsh people felt a sense of British more than other British colonies regardless the presense of macro or micro level of discrimation against them. The book concludes by suggesting that modern Wales is British through choice. It reflects in the similarities in lifestyle between the Welsh and other Brits, the weak but official presence of the Welah language, the vote for an autonomous but non-independent nation of Wales.

This book serves as a beginner reference for people like myself who want to know the basics of Welsh history. It is fair to say that the book is not one for history enthusiasts due to its length of about 200 pages. You will have to look for other books for details about every single historical period that the book has touched on.

As a person in Wales but not from Wales, the argument that the Welsh are British makes sense given the status quo (although when it comes to identity, it has to come down to personal feeling and it needs to be respected). But what has to be pointed out is that Welshness is alive - if not, then people don’t have to call the Welsh Welsh. And this Welshness is different from the past, nowadays it’s legit to say that race doesn’t have much strength in it. As complicated as it is given that identity has its political, educational, cultural, personal aspects. This complexity is going to exist and the meaning of Welshness is to be enriched by the people and make the nation probably to be a better one.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book might be a bit one sided, based on the title, but the question mark is key here. And perhaps Betteridge's law of headlines can be validly applied here. Johnes does not spend the whole book berating the evil colonial English power. Instead this is a much more reasonable and properly researched history that puts the grand events of Welsh history into a proper context. It was written to accompany a TV programme I believe, but Johnes is a professional historian and so he writes with authority, but reasonably fluidly too. Not as in depth, perhaps, as R R Davies, but with good coverage. Not everyone will think reading history is a great leisure time activity, but for those who do enjoy it, this is a good work.

[Nick Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to make it a habit to read more books about Wales and Welsh literature. Great overviev over Wales and England's relationship, and the impact that England has had on Wales. It's a great way to introduce you to learn how England has treated Wales. My favourite quote in the book is 'the Welsh were widely regarded, and indeed regard themselves, as an emotional and sometimes hot-tempered people, something which set them aside from the more sombre and Sober English'. Definitely worth reading if interested in the construction of Wales' identity and its Sense of Place.

[Michael Rowlands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on British history

Don’t be put off by the title and cover, this a serious, thoughtful and well argued book. The author seems to work hard to down play some aspects of Welsh history and as a result really interesting events come across as boring. But this is a small personal observation based on my own tastes. This is an excellent book for those interested in British history. I would recommend it.

[Daniel Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking which is why I gave it three stars, 2.5 probably a more accurate rating.

Couldn't help but feel there was a negative bias towards the self determination of Wales under written throughout, with it at times feeling like it's whole intention was to be a book defending English actions (despite a Welsh author).

[Joseph Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and honest account of Wales and its relationship with England. More could benefit from reading through the complex journey Wales has been on in order to set out a better future. History is not an exact science as this book illustrates very well.

[Aled Owen-Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Changed my thinking on many things, corrected my misconceptions on others. Engaging if a little reliant on conjecture (which can't be helped when dealing with medieval history, I suppose). The book has left me wanting more of the same.

[Niamh]

As this is more of an academic book, I won’t be giving it a rating it a review. But still wanted to note it for my Goodreads :)

[Gareth Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough book by n Wales’s often difficult relationship with her English neighbours. Book could have done with more chapters to help the flow.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seemed very England-Biased

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good to learn about the motherland but also kinda dry

[Rudi Opperman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking take on what the concepts of Wales and Welshness mean historically and in a modern context.

[Dylan Bookiams · Rating 4 out of 5]

You should read this if you are from Wales, England, or any other country on earth