Cardiff Centre for Welsh History

About

The Centre for Welsh History brings together staff and postgraduate students to promote and enhance our understanding of the histories of Wales and the Welsh. Historians in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion have expertise in medieval, early modern and modern Welsh history and work across the themes of politics and religion, print and literary cultures, national identity and gender.

Our vibrant community of scholars are committed to civic mission and engagement with schools, heritage organisations, national parks and community groups. The Centre for Welsh History runs a programme of research events, providing a space for the discussion of ideas and the development of collaborations both within and beyond the university.

Research Projects

Dindshenchas y Cymry [‘The Welsh Dindshenchas’]

Funded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

Rebecca Thomas
Marie-Luise Theuerkauf, University of Cambridge

Using recent work on the Irish Dindshenchas poetry as an interpretative framework, this project explores the strategies for naming and explaining places in medieval Wales.

Welfare, Conflict and Memory during and after the English Civil Wars 1642-1710

Funded by the AHRC

Lloyd Bowen
Andrew Hopper (Oxford)
David Appleby (Nottingham)
Mark Stoyle (Southampton)

A project to digitise and make publicly available Civil War Petitions from veterans, widows and orphans from the British Civil Wars of the seventeenth century.

Civic Mission

We are delighted to share our research with local history societies and other organisations. Previous engagements include:

The Historical Association
Menter Caerdydd
Monmouth History Society
Ysgol Bro Sanan
Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society

Current and recent projects include:

‘Discovering Local Histories: Delivering Welsh History in the New Curriculum for Wales’

AHRC funded

Stephanie Ward
Lloyd Bowen

This project aims to develop partnerships and create resources to support the teaching of local history in Welsh primary schools

‘Cylchgrawn Hanes Cymru i Ddisgyblion / A Welsh History Magazine for School Pupils’

AHRC funded

Rebecca Thomas
Marion Löffler

A collaboration between Cardiff University and local secondary schools to develop a resource for the teaching of Welsh history at Key Stage 3.

Events and activities

South Wales Port Communities: History and Heritage

Interested in exploring the rich history of south Wales port communities? Mark your calendars for November 5th, 2024, when the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and the Cardiff Centre for Welsh History are hosting a fascinating workshop on the heritage and history of Welsh port and dock communities, which hopes to result in a deeper understanding of south Wales’s unique heritage. Join us for an engaging day filled with presentations on local archival material, and discussions informed by cutting-edge research and community achievements. Among the confirmed speakers are Glamorgan Archives, Tiger Bay and the World, Gwent Archives, and the National Waterfront Museum!

This event is free and open to all members of the public, so come and be a part of this enriching experience! The event will be hosted in the Norwegian Church Arts Centre’s Grieg Hall, and a larger conference will be held in January 2025. To secure your place, please book a ticket via the Norweigian Church website or email :

Past events

Launch event for the Cardiff Centre for Welsh History, 28 June 2024

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new Cardiff Centre for Welsh History based in the School of History, Archaeology and Religion.

The Centre is keen to bring together scholars (both academics and postgraduate students) from across the university who have research and/or teaching interests in Wales and its past.

Cardiff Conference on Medieval Wales, 13-14 April 2024

In this innovative conference organised by the School of History, Archaeology and Religion and the School of Welsh, with support from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, speakers from a range of disciplines (including history, archaeology and literature) presented papers on the most recent research on medieval Wales.

Postgraduate Welsh History Research Network Workshop, 13 March 2024

Supported by the Learned Society of Wales, this workshop brought together Welsh history postgraduate students for a day of sharing research findings and lively debate. A network was established and aims to meet once a year for an in-person event.