Urban Assimilation in Post-Conquest Wales

Ethnicity, Gender and Economy in Ruthin, 1282-1348

By (author) Matthew Frank Stevens

Publication date:

30 March 2010

Length of book:

224 pages

Publisher

University of Wales Press

Dimensions:

234x156mm

ISBN-13: 9780708322499

This book uses, principally but not only, a case study of the Denbighshire town of Ruthin to discuss both the significance of Englishness versus Welshness and of gender distinctions in the network of small Anglo-Welsh urban centres which emerged in north Wales following the English conquest of 1282. It carefully constructs an image of the way in which townspeople's everyday lives were influenced by their ethnic background, gender, wealth and social status. In this manner it explores and explains the motivations of English and welsh townspeople to work together in the mutual pursuit of prosperity and social stability.