Wales

Ruler: the King of England via the Constable of the Principality and the Justiciar of Wales.

After conquering Wales in 1284, though dividing most of Wales between the Crown lands of the principality and the immense marcher lordships, Edward I allowed the Welsh to keep their own laws and some became English peers. Affairs remained this way for over a century with little overt resentment against English rule. Then in Richard II's reign, a Welshman called Owen Glendower found himself in a land dispute with Lord Grey de Ruthyn. The courts found in Glendower's favour but Grey seized the estates and in 1397, Parliament found for him on appeal.

Glendower was a friend to Henry IV even before he was king and Grey realised their friendship might lead Henry to reverse the ruling. So to discredit Glendower, Grey prevented a call to war reaching him, accusing him of treachery. Reacting harshly, Henry outlawed Glendower, giving his lands to Grey.

Welsh nationalism focused on Glendower turning his private war into one of liberation. By 1405, he controlled all Wales, instituting a Welsh Parliament and other reforms to make Wales an independent principality. He might have succeeded had he not met the best soldier of the century intent on regaining his own, Henry Prince of Wales. Though still young, Henry fought brilliantly, beating Glendower in two battles, bottling him into Snowdonia by 1409. As King, Henry's mind turned abroad. Respecting his Welsh adversary, he offered a pardon and a summons to fight in France but Glendower was old and died in Herefordshire in 1417.

Glendower's war badly damaged Wales; his troops burnt many churches and castles: St. Asaphs cathedral is still being rebuilt and Criccieth remains in ruins. Welsh laws and customs were suppressed and Welsh barred from holding lands or titles in England, or office in Wales.

But Henry V kept several Welshmen in his retinue and upon his death these remained in service with his Queen, Katherine. She fell in love with a young squire called Owen Tudor and bore him four children, marrying in secret. Owen went to prison over the scandal but Henry VI raised his half brothers to the highest rank of any Welshmen; creating Jasper and his late brother Edmund earls of Pembroke and Richmond with precedence ahead of all other earls. Since their brother, Owen, recently became Bishop of St. Asaphs. Who knows how far a Welshman may yet rise?