Heirs to the Princes - by David Stephenson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A new history of medieval Wales, where survival meant adapting, not defeat.

The Edwardian conquest of Wales is often seen as a final blow to Welsh autonomy, but Heirs to the Princes challenges this narrative, revealing a different story--one of adaptation and resurgence. This study depicts the rise of a Welsh administrative and military elite in the generations following 1277 to 88 and traces how native leaders navigated shifting power structures to secure influence within the English Crown's rule.

The book recontextualizes Edward I's later reign through close documentary analysis, showing him not merely as a ruthless conqueror but as a ruler who came to rely on Welsh support, addressed grievances, and fostered a new governing class. It also details Edward II's complex relationship with Welsh magnates, leading to the crises that shaped his rule.

Through profiling key figures of the emerging Welsh gentry, Heirs to the Princes revises our understanding of post-conquest Wales and highlights the resilience of its leaders and their pivotal role in the road to the Glyn Dŵr rising of 1400.

Review Quotes

"David Stephenson is a master in making high level scholarship attractive to non-specialists. Accessible to a wider audience, this book is a major, much-needed contribution that breaks new ground and will have a wide-ranging impact."-- "Professor Sara Elin Roberts, Bangor University"

About the Author

David Stephenson is an honorary research fellow in medieval Welsh history at Bangor University. He is the author of Political Power in Medieval Gwynedd; Medieval Powys 1132-1293; and Medieval Wales, c.1050-1332.