Welsh Royalty

Book Categories: Royalty, Prince Madog, Owen Glendower, History, Fiction, British Royalty

Welsh Royalty

Princesses of Wales by Deborah Fisher. Explores common themes in the reign of nine Welsh Princesses, from their evolving position in society to their role in the increasing importance of Wales within Britain.

Llywellyn Gruffudd: Prince of Wales by J. Beverley Smith. The first full-length English-language biography of Welsh ruler Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (c. 1225-1282).

The Welsh Princes: The Native Rulers of Wales, 1063-1283 by Roger Turvey. Written for the general reader, this survey of the various aspects of princely life, power, and influence draws out the human qualities of these flesh and blood characters. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

The Welsh Kings: The Medieval Rulers of Wales by Kari Maund. From Alibris.

The Lord Rhys: Prince of Deheubarth by Roger Turvey. Rhys ap Gruffydd stands out among Welsh rulers because of his talent, vision, and insight. This biography emphasizes his significance in the history of medieval Wales. From Alibris.

The Welsh King and His Court edited by T. M. Charles Edwards and Morfydd M. Owen. Examines the rules governing royal households in early medieval Wales before the Edwardian conquest. Sometimes available from AbeBooks.

Books About Boadicea (Boudica)

Prince Madog

Brave His Soul: The Story of Prince Madog of Wales and His Discovery of America in 1170 by Ellen Pugh. Discusses the validity of the claims that a Welsh prince established a settlement in American in the 12th century. Published in 1970. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Owen Glendower

National Redeemer: Owain Glyndwr in Welsh Tradition by Elissa R. Henken. A descendant of the princes of the Welsh kingdom of Powys, Glyndwr (also called Owain Ap Gruffudd or Owen Glendower) led a revolution against English rule in the 15th century.

The Revolt of Owain Glyn Dwr by R. R. Davies. Written by a leading historian, this is the first scholarly book in over 50 years to present Owain and his revolt to a general audience.

Owen Glyndwr and the Last Struggle for Welsh Independence by Arthur Granville Bradley. Out of print, but sometimes available from Alibris.

History of Wales

A History of Wales by John Davies. Traces Welsh history from earliest times to the late 20th century.

Medieval Wales by David Walker. Traces the growth of Welsh princely power and its later erosion.

The Mabinogion edited and translated by Jeffrey Gantz. Medieval Welsh legends.

Welsh Castles: A Guide by Counties by Adrian Pettifer.

The Impact of the Edwardian Castles in Wales edited by John Kenyon and Diane Williams. Papers from a 2007 conference on castles built in north Wales in the 13th century by King Edward I. Topics include royal accommodation, how households worked, and the castles' impact on Welsh princes.

Books About Modern British Royalty
Books About English Royal History

Novels About Welsh History

Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman. A gripping and emotional novel about a 13th century Welsh prince who married the daughter of his enemy, England's King John. I have read this novel, and I highly recommend it. It's the first book in a trilogy; the other two books are Falls the Shadow, about England's Henry III, and The Reckoning, about Edward I's conquest of Wales.

The Mabinogion Tetralogy by Evangeline Walton. Four novels retelling Welsh myths: The Prince of Annwn, The Children of Llyr, The Song of Rhiannon, and The Island of the Mighty.

The Fool's Tale: A Novel by Nicole Galland. Novel about a love triangle between a 12th century Welsh king, his queen, and his court jester.

The Warrior's Princess by Barbara Erskine. A time-slip story in which a modern woman's fate becomes entwined with that of Celtic princess Eigon, daughter of King Caratacus, who battled invading Romans. Available from Alibris.

The Brothers of Gwynedd by Edith Pargeter (Ellis Peters). Four novels set in medieval Wales: Sunrise in the West, The Dragon at Noonday, The Hounds of Sunset, and Afterglow and Nightfall. Out of print, but available from Alibris.

Glendower Country by Martha Rofheart. A novel about Owen Glendower. From Alibris.

Madoc, Prince of America by Bernard Knight. Fictional account of the Welsh prince who, according to legend, journeyed to America in the 12th century. Out of print, but sometimes available from Alibris.

Madoc by Pat Winter. Another novel about Madoc. Sometimes available from Alibris.

Madoc's Hundred by Pat Winter. Sequel to Pat Winter's novel Madoc. Sometimes available from Alibris.

Prince Madog, Discoverer of America: A Legendary Story by Joan Dane. An adventure story adapted from Welsh legend about the 10th century discovery of America. Published in 1909. Out of print, but sometimes available from Alibris.