Page:Ashorthistoryofwales.djvu/77

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CONQUERED WALES
55

no faith in David, and in a few months the whole of Wales was at Edward's feet.


XII
CONQUERED WALES

The war between Edward and Llywelyn was not a war between England and Wales, as we think of these countries now. Some of the best soldiers under Edward were Welsh, especially the bowmen who followed the Earl of Gloucester and Roger Mortimer from the Wye and Severn valleys.

It is not right that we Welshmen should feel bitter against England,because, in this last war, Edward won and Llywelyn fell. It is easy to say that Edward was cruel and faithless, and it is easy to say that Llywelyn was shifty and obstinate; but it is quite clear that each of them thought that he was right. Edward thought that Britain ought to be united: Llywelyn thought Wales ought to be free. Now,happily, we have the union and the freedom.

On the other hand, I should not like you to think that Wales was more barbarous