By: Alan Belth
The people of Wales were considered savages who dressed in skins and lived in tribes and kingdoms. When the Romans invaded Wales around 50 AD they established a fort on the banks of the River Taff. However, they dumped the fort years later after the decline of the Roman Empire around 350 AD ending Roman rule in Britain. But the history of Cardiff as a settlement starts with the Vikings first and the later invasion by the Norman, William the Conqueror. After its invasion, the fort served as a protection of the inhabitants from the Welsh. It was the barons and lords of Glamorgan that gave a location for its centre. It was the landowner, Lord of Gloucester and the conqueror of Glamorgan, Robert FitzHamon who built a castle on the exact position of the Roman fort during his expedition in around 1090 against the Welsh. A small settlement grew around the castle’s south gate and became a market centre.
Glamorgan became highly fortified as several additions were made to the castle. The lordship of Glamorgan became independent and subsequently the Welsh grew restless and gave rise to leader called Llewellyn Bren who had a grievance against the King. A revolt started when the army of Llewellyn Bren captured in 1314 the sheriff of Glamorgan and killed several Englishmen. Although Llewellyn Bren was captured and pardoned he was captured again in 1320 and murdered. The Welsh united and invaded Glamorgan. They destroyed Norman property and destroyed the Cardiff castle till the Earl of Warwick; Richard Beauchamp rebuilt it in 1423.
During the 15th century Cardiff became leaderless till Owain Glen Dwr known as the independent “Prince of Wales” led the revolt for the Celtic Welsh against the English around 1400. Glen Dwr entered Glamorgan and destroyed it, particularly church property including Cardiff Priory and Bishop’s place at Llandaff.
Although the English galvanised their forces under Henry IV and lead a successful campaign against the rebels, Glyn Dwr was never captured and remained a hunted rebel. The English had once again taken control of Cardiff. Several succession of Cardiff took place and life was hard for the people of Cardiff as there constant struggle for control.
The story of Cardiff and the Welsh people has been a story of struggle to survive all odds, to survive the advent of the Romans, Vikings, Normans, the oppression of the Lords and the onslaught of the English people and the English language.
