A Brief History of Wales

In an act of gross hubris, we proudly present our first episode of Three Ravens Series 7: A Brief History of Wales!

Based on a silly amount of research, this episode tracks through the story of how the country of Wales became 'Wales' - from the nation's very first settlers who wandered west through England through to the Stone Age tradition of cromlech building, the Bronze Age, and, in due course, the Iron Age, too.

Along the way, the nascent country of Wales develops its own place within Celtic culture, apart from its immediate neighbours, yet connected by ancient trade routes, including by sea. With more hill forts per square mile than any other British nation, even before the Romans came along things in Wales were feisty.

Yet, once the Romans came, much like in neighbouring England, things changed forever. Across almost four centuries, the Welsh landscape itself was reshaped by Rome, all before maintaining such large armies in 'Britain' became unaffordable.

Much as Rome retreated, Christianity also arrived, and with it a tantalizing time; the development of Anglo Saxon 'England' on one side of Offa's Dyke, and, on the other, one that calls itself 'Cymry' - 'the collective' or 'fellow countrymen.'

While the Angles call them the 'Wealas' - 'the foreigners...'

We hope it makes for interesting and exciting listening, whether you are Welsh or not, and we look forward to speaking with you again on Monday for Series 7 Episode 1, all about the historic county of Cardiganshire!

Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

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