Welsh Journals

on what evidence a particular statement is based. The reason for this is no doubt economy, but it is an unfortunate practice which, one hopes, does not spread. ANTHONY TUCK Lancaster. A HISTORY OF WALES, 1485-1660. By Hugh Thomas. University of Wales Press, Cardiff. 1972. Pp. 246. £ 1.85. Few periods of Welsh history have attracted more attention in schools and colleges than that covered by Mr. Hugh Thomas's book. The events of that period have certainly had a decisive influence upon the develop- ment of modern Wales, but students and pupils wishing to acquaint themselves with the background have for long felt the need of a com- prehensive basic text-book. Mr. Thomas has now met this need, and this volume, the first of a series of three 'Welsh History Text Books' to be published by the University of Wales Press under the general editorship of Professor A. H. Dodd, provides a sound survey not only of the political and religious history of the period, but also of its cultural, social and economic aspects. The results of much detailed and recent research have been compressed into its pages most efficiently by Mr. Thomas. The political developments related to the 'Union' and the influences working for, and against, the preservation of the Welsh language are controversial topics, but they receive scholarly and restrained treatment here, and many readers will be grateful for the balanced and informative discussion which is offered. The strength of the volume lies, however, in its perceptive and lucid study of the administrative, social, economic and cultural scene. Valuable chapters analyse the system of government, the impact of the 'New Learning', the economy of the principality and the classes of society. The administration of Wales receives particularly detailed and effective treatment, and there is a sound exposition of the objectives, obligations and conditions of life of the various classes in the social hierarchy. For these areas of study, which deserve much closer attention than they sometimes get in schools, this book makes a major contribution and will be an invaluable aid. General points have been illustrated by a judicious reference to documentary material, but the opportunity of listing the more important of these sources for ready reference by the student has not been seized. However, the suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter will be particularly useful, and certainly point the way to more advanced studies. The six maps might have been more lively and informative; the reader will search in vain for help in placing, for example, the centre of administration, Ludlow, or such centres as Clenennau, Penrhyn, Golden Grove and St. Donat's. The text has some irregularities of syntax and punctuation, and the dash is used excessively, and frequently incorrectly; this sometimes affects the clarity and balance of the style.