R. S. Thomas’s poem ‘Welsh Landscape’ mourns the lack of a contemporary Welsh nation-state, and a tendency to live in the past rather than in the present or future. Yet it also reveals the centrality of history to Welshness. History, indeed, helped to form Welsh identity over the centuries, and its ‘repeated and sustained use’ was one factor that differentiated Wales from England. As seen in Chapter 1, Welsh historical culture was expressed in a range of ways and forms, from poems and pedigrees to narrative accounts and material objects. Welsh historical culture could be defensive, mobilised to fight back against English slurs. Yet this is defence in the form of that which ‘is spoken, written, or made in defence of something or someone; that offers justification or support against criticism’ rather than as ‘a person, attitude, expression etc… that rejects, challenges, and is oversensitive to real or perceived criticism’. Although there is no doubt that Welsh patriots were irked by hostile representations, outside times of heightened tension they were seemingly capable of laughing at themselves or simply ignoring comic stereotyping. When, as during the early 1640s, English representations of the Welsh became actively hostile the Welsh gentry launched political responses. Welsh historical culture also had an assertive or self-confident aspect which stemmed from Welsh pride in their people’s difference, their ancient history, and their knowledge of ancient traditions and distinctions. It was most evident within Wales itself, as seen in Welsh houses and entertainments, Welsh support for historical endeavours, and in the defence of the place of the Welsh within the history of Britain, but it is also apparent within English-authored texts or those aimed at English audiences.

This chapter builds on the explanations of the wide-ranging historical forms in Chapter 1 and explores the character of Welsh historical culture. It will discuss that culture’s dual nature, as assertive and self-confident as well as defensive. The chapter investigates the defensive arguments made by Welsh or pro-Welsh English writers against jibes and dismissals of Welshness.