Dwynne:
Bob, To many of your countrymen, Wales is a foreign place. lol
Thanks to my ancestry-focused grandfather and father, I grew up with an appreciation of my Welsh forebears and I researched the place of Wales in the history of these islands. I learned that the word “Wales” is derived from the Anglo-Saxon “Weala” which apparently means ‘servant’ or ‘slave’. That did not please me at all and I preferred ‘Cymry’ for Welsh and ‘Cymru’ for Wales. However, I appreciate that Welsh and Wales are now used by the majority of the population.
The word for England, I learned, is “Lloegyr” and describes that part of England which excludes Devon and Cornwall. It apparently also means “The Lost Lands” which makes absolute sense, in view of historical events.
I have only once felt that I was in a foreign country when visiting any part of Wales. That was about 20 years ago, when visiting Corris and looking for ancestral graves. Welsh was being spoken as soon as we began asking directions and some were looking at us with decidedly unfriendly expressions. As soon as I mentioned that I was looking for ancestors and researching family history, smiles broke out and we were conducted to the home of the last ancestor. She was sadly deceased, formerly married to an ancestor Williams. Her maiden name was Jones, of course! We were taken to the grave and treated with great kindness, especially after my missus told them that her mum’s maiden name was Griffiths.
I didn’t mind the initial reception, in view of the history I had learned. But it did teach me that the Cymry have long memories! The population of these islands have always been tribal: I recall growing up and believing that the people of the next village were different and not to be trusted. There has always been an “Us” and a “Them” in the British Isles.
When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.
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