Actually, the idea of a Welsh nation pre-dates the anglo-saxon conquest, and it continued on right until the 13th Century. The battle of HeavenField for example, was fought between the Welsh King(s? - seem to remeber there were two for some reason?) and the King Oswald in Northumbria (as an interesting aside Oswald was decapitated, but the Northumbrians won, it is unusual for the king to die but for his side to prevail). In the early middle ages, Wales had the status of a Principality, but was still a nation (cf Modern Luxembourg: It is technically a Dutchy, a Country rules by a Grand Duke). Incidentally, Dutchy is a truer description of English Kingship, as the King/Queen of England is "Prima Inter Pares"??? (First amoung equals) to the rest of the aristocracy (hence the use of peer, "equal"). The English crown doesn't have a patrimony (These where actually lost when Normandy, Anjou and Aquitaine fell to the French), the lands the Queen currently holds actually fall under different titles. Compare this with the French Kings, who had absolute power (by "devine right") and their patrinomic land is the Ile-de-France. The loss of the patrinomic lands benefited the English greatly, as it then required the King to raise taxes through parliament. Legally Wales and England have been the same political entity for a long time, though this has only been the case since at least the 13th century. One purpose of investing the Heir of the British throne the title Prince of Wales was historically to allowed the prince to run a country-sized entity in preparation to their accession. Additionally, it kept the prince occupied, so they didn't spend so much time trying to overthrow their father. Look what happens when this failed, as in the case of Henry II. Ouch.
ragnaroknrol The Internet is For Porn[^]
Pete o'Hanlon: If it wasn't insulting tools, I'd say you were dumber than a bag of spanners.
