Cardiff Centre for Welsh History

The Centre for Welsh History at Cardiff aims to enhance and extend our understanding of the histories of Wales and the Welsh from the medieval period to the modern era.

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

Launch event for the Cardiff Centre for Welsh History

Date: 28 June 2024
Location: John Percival Building

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.

The day will consist of brief presentations around some of the current research being done in the School, but we are keen to hear more about the reservoir of expertise in this field which can be found in other parts of the university, and which might be brought together in fruitful dialogue through the Centre. To facilitate these exchanges, we would be very keen to hear from colleagues outside the School of History, Archaeology and Religion who would be willing to provide very brief (c.5 minutes) presentations on their areas of expertise. If, however, you simply wish to hear more about current research in this field, then please do come along.

If you would like to attend, register now, and if you would be interested in talking about your research for a few minutes on the day, please email BowenL@cardiff.ac.uk

Past events

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.