The Middle Ages
Many examples of Welsh literature from the early Norman period still exist, as ancient tales and poetry, passed from generation to generation were permanently recorded.
This was an important period for Welsh poetry, with lords and princes across the whole of Wales sponsoring court poets. These poets were employed in order to produce eulogies for the princes and lords, describing their military prowess, and were known as Beirdd yr Uchelwyr (the poets of the gentry).
Following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd’s army at the end of the thirteenth century, the tradition of sponsoring poets among the gentry continued for many years, but were now known as the Gogynfeirdd.
The most famous poet of the time is undoubtedly Dafydd ap Gwilym, whose humorous poems were a breath of fresh air during a turbulent period in Welsh history. Love and nature were the main themes in the work of Dafydd ap Gwilym, and his work remains popular today, not only in Welsh, but translated into a number of other languages.
Although English and French speakers flocked to Wales during this period, Welsh remained the main language of Wales throughout the Middle Ages, with many people only able to understand Welsh. Many areas of Wales also had their own versions of the language, Gwyndoleg in the Gwynedd area and Gwenhwyseg in Gwent.
The 1536 and 1542 Acts of Union
The passing of the 1536 and 1542 Acts of Union brought a significant change in the official use of Welsh, and the language would not be used as an official language again until after the passing of the 1942 Welsh Courts Act – four hundred years later.
The purpose of the Acts of Union was to make Wales part of England, and therefore English became the official language of business and administration in Wales. Following the Acts it was not possible for any monolingual Welsh speaker to hold official office in Wales, and although the language was not banned, it lost its status, and brought with it centuries of steady linguistic decline.
The Welsh Bible
Welsh would have been in grave danger during the Tudor Period if the Bible had not been translated into the language. Bishop William Morgan of Llanrhaedr ym Mochnant’s translation which appeared in 1588, helped to boost the language.
As Wales was a country dominated by religion, which played a pivotal role in people's lives, the Bible allowed Welsh to remain as the language of the church and religion. English may have been the official language of Wales, but the Bible helped to safeguard the future of the Welsh language for many centuries.
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