History of Wales Timeline

Edward I of England waged two campaigns against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was killed in 1282 near Builth Wells. The Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284 annexed Wales to the English crown, and Edward built formidable castles at Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech.

Image source: Conquest of Wales by Edward I

Edward I invested his son Edward at Caernarfon Castle as Prince of Wales, beginning the tradition of granting the title to the heir apparent of the English, and later British, throne.

Image source: Prince of Wales

Owain Glyndŵr proclaimed himself Prince of Wales and led a widespread rebellion against English rule. At its peak the revolt controlled most of Wales, held parliaments at Machynlleth and Harlech, but ultimately faded after 1409.

Image source: Glyndŵr rebellion

Under Henry VIII, the Laws in Wales Acts formally annexed Wales into the Kingdom of England, created counties, gave Welsh representation in Parliament, and made English the language of law and administration.

Image source: Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542

Bishop William Morgan published the first complete translation of the Bible into Welsh in 1588, preserving the language and providing a foundation for Welsh literary and religious life for centuries.

Image source: William Morgan (Bible translator)

Led by figures such as Howell Harris and Daniel Rowland, the Welsh Methodist revival transformed religious life in Wales, eventually giving rise to the Calvinistic Methodist (Presbyterian) Church.

Image source: Welsh Methodist revival

Wales gained key cultural institutions: the eisteddfod tradition flourished, the National Museum of Wales was founded in Cardiff in 1907, and the National Library of Wales was established at Aberystwyth, formalising a distinct Welsh cultural identity.

Image source: National Library of Wales

Founded through public subscription, University College Wales at Aberystwyth began the development of a national higher education system, later joined by colleges at Cardiff and Bangor within the University of Wales.

Image source: Aberystwyth University

The Party of Wales, Plaid Cymru, was founded at Pwllheli to campaign for Welsh self-government and the promotion of the Welsh language, becoming a significant force in Welsh politics.

Image source: Plaid Cymru

Liverpool Corporation obtained permission to flood the village of Capel Celyn in the Tryweryn valley to build a reservoir, despite overwhelming Welsh parliamentary opposition. The drowning of the village galvanised Welsh nationalism.

Image source: Llyn Celyn

A colliery spoil tip collapsed onto Pantglas Junior School in Aberfan, killing 116 children and 28 adults. The tragedy devastated the nation and prompted reforms in mine waste management.

Image source: Aberfan disaster

Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in a televised ceremony, watched by millions, though the event also drew protests from Welsh nationalists.

Image source: Investiture of Charles, Prince of Wales

After campaigning including hunger strikes by Gwynfor Evans, S4C began broadcasting as the first Welsh-language television channel, transforming the visibility of the Welsh language in daily life.

Image source: S4C

Following the 1997 devolution referendum, the National Assembly for Wales held its first elections and assumed responsibility for Welsh affairs, marking the return of a national elected body to Wales after nearly five centuries.

Image source: Senedd

The Millennium Stadium, built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, opened in Cardiff as the largest stadium in the UK at the time, becoming an iconic venue for rugby, football and major events.

Image source: Millennium Stadium

A referendum granted the National Assembly primary legislative powers, allowing it to make laws directly in devolved areas without Westminster approval, deepening Welsh devolution.

Image source: Senedd

In the Brexit referendum, 52.5% of Welsh voters chose to leave the EU, a result with significant implications for Welsh funding, agriculture and trade, leading to the UK's departure in January 2020.

Image source: 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

Ironworks at Merthyr Tydfil, including those of the Crawshay and Guest families, made the town the iron capital of the world by the early nineteenth century and one of Wales's largest towns.

Image source: Merthyr Tydfil

Workers in Merthyr Tydfil rose in protest against wage cuts and unemployment, briefly taking control of the town and raising the red flag, one of the first recorded uses of the flag as a symbol of revolt in Britain.

Image source: Merthyr Rising

Farmers disguised as 'Rebecca' destroyed tollgates across southwest Wales in protest against turnpike charges, forcing reforms of the toll system and highlighting rural grievances.

Image source: Rebecca Riots

Chartist demonstrators led by John Frost marched on Newport demanding political reform. Troops opened fire, killing more than twenty marchers; Frost and other leaders were convicted of treason, though later transported instead of executed.

Image source: Newport Rising

Rapid expansion of steam-coal mining in the South Wales Valleys from mid-century transformed the region, drawing migrants from rural Wales, England and Ireland and creating booming industrial communities.

Image source: South Wales Coalfield

Violence erupted in the Rhondda valley during a bitter coal miners' dispute, with troops deployed and clashes between strikers and police, leaving a lasting mark on Welsh labour politics.

Image source: Tonypandy riots

An explosion at the Universal Colliery at Senghenydd killed 439 men and boys, the worst mining disaster in British history, exposing the dangers faced by South Wales coal miners.

Image source: Senghenydd colliery disaster

South Wales miners played a prominent role in the year-long national strike against pit closures. The defeat accelerated the decline of the coal industry and reshaped the economy and politics of the valleys.

Image source: 1984–1985 United Kingdom miners' strike