Welsh Journals

Glamorgan Patricia Moore produces a sound and informative essay on The Orangeries at Margam-a delightful topic D. W. Dykes pursues a study of Glamorgan trade tokens in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and Robert Jory gives a straightforward account of Flat Holm island. The essay on The Cowbridge Printers, by Brian L. James, is scholarly and capably handled. The lengthy discussion on Rural Rhondda, by T. J. Prichard is a continua- tion of previous studies on this topic and serves as a useful guide to religious developments there in the middle ages. Brut Aberpergwm by the late Professor G. J. Williams, as one might expect, is scholarly and analytical in approach. Gareth E. Jones's section on Tudor Glamorgan is a stimulat- ing and informative survey of the interests which enagaged the gentry (and not necessarily, as he rightly points out, those of Glamorgan) during the sixteenth century. Sufficient has been said to indicate the miscellaneous content of this volume which, however, lacks chronological unity. A more serious deficiency, moreover, seems to be (as in previous volumes in the series) the inconsistent and occasionally haphazard attention paid to refer- ences or, at least, to an adequate bibliography. Whilst some contributions are to be commended in this respect, others, surely, would have benefited if references had been appended to guide the reader to sources of further reading. J. GWYNFOR JONES NOTICES IN The Welsh History Review, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1966, D. J. V. Jones (who contributes to this number of Morgannwg) discusses The Merthyr Riotsofl831, and supplements the valuable writings on the topic which have already appeared from the pen of Professor Gwyn A. Williams. Dr. Jones in this article is concerned mainly with conditions in Merthyr and the surrounding district, and is able to show the unique character of the disturbance as "the one truly working-class reform demonstration in Wales". The University of Wales Press has issued the second of David Fraser's Wales in History series intended for pupils in secondary schools. The new volume covers the years 1066-1485, and is entitled The Defenders (in contrast to the first volume, The Invaders). Again, as in the first volume, the theme is clear and decisive, the illustrations, maps, plans and figures helpful and well-chosen. The method of indexing is designed, successfully, to encour- age young readers to use the index intelligently, and the whole appearance of the book is most attractive. It deserves a reception in schools similar to that which was given to its predecessor, and it is to be hoped that the series will be continued to include the late modern period. Such a series could serve well as standard fare for young readers. The not-so-young will also find much to satisfy them in these volumes. The second number (September 1966) of the first volume of The Journal of the South East Wales Industrial Archaeology Society has also been