Welsh Journals

the exposition is neatly indicated in Professor David Williams's con- cluding words: 'Henceforth the destinies of Wales are inextricably inter- twined with those of England. To some writers of the present day this would appear to be the fons et origo of all the ills from which Wales has suffered in four centuries. There is no room whatsoever for doubt that to the Welshmen of the sixteenth century his [Henry VII's] accession came as a heaven-sent opportunity'. Into this framework has been fitted a series of talks on language (an authoritative introduction by Professor Kenneth Jackson), literature (Professor Caerwyn Williams, Mr. D. Myrddin Lloyd, Professor Gwyn Jones, Professor A. O. H. Jarman, and Principal Thomas Parry), law, religion, and Gerald of Wales. The laws are the subject of a characteristi- cally lucid and convincing survey by Professor J. G. Edwards, who shows how little we know of their history before the late twelfth century. Profes- sor Bowen outlines his well-known theory that the sphere of influence of the Welsh saints can be traced by collecting dedications to them; he defends himself against the objection that many dedications are later than the age of the saints on the ground that later dedications 'invariably fell within the original patria of the saint in question', a proposition not easy to understand or to accept. But there is much of charm in his reconstruction, as there is too in Professor Glanmor Williams's 'Religion in Medieval Wales', a tour-de-force, in which a great deal of precise information is very vividly presented. In a few sentences, for instance, he brings Gerald of Wales rapidly to life, and so fills a gap in Professor Thomas Jones's 'The Wales of Gerald', which gives no clear picture of the man, but contains a fascinating summary of his Itinerary. In such a book some inequalities and unevenness are unavoidable. Occasionally a writer tries to summarize too much: Professor Jarman is interesting on Geoffrey of Monmouth, but on the Matter of Britain he is so summary as to be misleading. Though the various sections fit together remarkably well, a little more editorial work might have ironed out such minor inconsistencies as the date of the battle of Chester- 613 or 616 on p. 47, 716 or 717 (sic-by a rare slip) on p. 56-and given us a much-needed index. But perhaps this will be provided in the second volume; and to this sequel we may look forward with the hope that it will be produced as speedily and prove as interesting as its predecessor. C. N. L. BROOKE. Liverpool. WELSH FOLK CUSTOMS. By Trefor M. Owen. University of Wales Press, Cardiff, 1959. Pp. 255. Illustrated. 10s. 6d. Welsh Folk Customs is a book which will delight the layman as much as it will please the specialist. Mr. Owen is to be warmly congratulated on this first attempt at bringing together so much scattered information,