The Acts of Welsh Rulers, 1120-1283

Now republished with minor corrections, this volume provides the first comprehensive collection of charters, letters and other documents issued by native rulers of Wales from the early twelfth century to the Edwardian conquest of 1282–3 that extinguished independent rule. It thereby makes more accessible than ever before a key body of source material for the study of medieval Wales during ‘the age of the princes’ – an era of struggles for power by native rulers both among themselves and with Marcher lords and the English crown. The edition contains 618 documents, of which 444 survive as texts, while the remaining 174 are known only from mentions in other sources. The texts, almost all in Latin, are edited to modern scholarly standards and provided with full English summaries as well as notes on individual points of detail such as persons and places mentioned. Coverage is intentionally broad. The term ‘ruler’ has been applied to members not only of the dominant dynasties of Deheubarth, Powys and, above all, Gwynedd but also of minor dynasties such as those of Arwystli or Senghennydd; and, in a world where political power was often contested and fragmented, to individuals within each dynasty who exercised some measure of authority, however limited geographically or temporally. Likewise, the edition includes all known documents issued as expressions of a ruler’s will, including petitions and records of judgements as well as charters, letters patent and correspondence with other rulers, notably kings of England but also kings of France, popes and other churchmen. In addition, agreements with the English crown and other third parties are published irrespective of whether they survive in ratifications issued by the Welsh ruler concerned.

In every sense this is a massive achievement It should be on the shelves of anyone with an interest in medieval history or the history of Wales. For those who combine those interests, and study the medieval history of Wales it is a book which should never be out of reach, and for which they will owe its editor a great debt of gratitude.' The Montgomeryshire Collections an immensely important resource for the ongoing study of medieval Welsh history.' Revue D'Histoire Ecclesiastique The appearance of this superb volume marks the fulfillment of a scholarly enterprise of exceptional importance in the historical study of medieval Wales. Huw Pryce's accomplished critical study, in this truly impressive volume, provides a secure foundation for further investigation, and in so doing he makes his own invaluable contribution to Welsh and broader historical studies that will be readily and widely recognized among medieval scholars in Wales and further afield.