England colonised Wales across centuries and the uneasy relationship between the countries has long shaped Wales as a nation.
The Norman invasion of 1066 saw King Edward I of England subdue Wales, leading to the establishment of the title of Prince of Wales in 1284.
Wales’ existence “officially” began as part of England under Henry VIII’s Act of Union in 1536 but it is believed Wales has been inhabited since 250,000 BC.
The Welsh language is the oldest in the UK, with its origins dating back 4,000 years, and the word Cymry was used to describe its people from the 7th Century.
Wales became a part of the United Kingdom in 1707, which solidified its integration with England, but Welsh people retained a distinct culture and sense of identity.
In the 19th Century, the English government felt that speaking Welsh held people back and the rise of English in education and politics saw a significant decline in the Welsh language.
The Welsh Language Act in 1993 marked a turning point, giving the language equal status with English in public life and government affairs.
