I am a Black American and just learned from my DNA results that I am 14% Welsh. I have done research and learned that a lot of Black Americans do as well. Were they major actors in slavery and colonization?

Hello again, everyone!

I've created a topic 2 months ago (https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryWales/comments/1gvxgnt/need\_help\_with\_welsh\_history/) but I don't know how to make it up, so I beg your pardon - I made a new topic.

My friends, I’ve started working on the second chapter (after which I’ll release a pre-demo. Tentative dates: March-April this year), and I need your help once again.

1. One of the main characters owns a mare of a grey, mouse-dun coat. What name could suit her? I’ve combed through the entire Internet and found only something like Eira (“Snowflake”). Sure, I can work out why a grey mare might be called Snowflake, but… Do you have any ideas for a short, sharp, and medieval name for a grey horse?
2. A commander of horsemen needs to order his unit: “Follow me. At a walk!” Specifically at a walk, to avoid tiring the horses. I asked ChatGPT to translate the phrase, but it came back with something like: "Ar fy ôl, ar garlam!" To me, that sounds more like gallop than walk (((
3. One of the minor characters has a Welsh mountain pony – small, but nasty and cheeky. How historically accurate would it be to use such a pony as a scout horse?
4. One of the main characters hails from the ap Cynan lineage. Could you suggest where he might have lived geographically by the early 15th century? Everything I’ve found about the Cynan lineage seems to end in the 12th century.

That’s all for now)) Thanks in advance to everyone for your help))

This is a man born in 1917. A man who had eight siblings, he being the youngest. Who’s father left for America, taking three sisters and a brother with him when he was eleven years old. He didn’t see him again until 1935, aged eighteen. His father didn’t send any money back and left the family destitute and living with the eldest, married, sister. This man went down the coal mines, aged fourteen, earning a pittance, not knowing when or even if his father would return. His brother returned from America after being deported for throwing a house brick through a New York jewellers window, but failed in procuring any swag. One sister died in a New York hospital after an in infection gave her sepsis. The father only returned to Wales when a second sister died after being hit by a car in Ohio. She died in the arms of her remaining sister. In 1939 this man sought to exchange one hell for another and escaped the mines to join the war effort. Posted to an anti-aircraft gun crew in London, he met his true love, they married in 1942. Their happiness cut short when she contracted TB, the man would go Absent With Out Leave to be at her bedside. Her condition worsened and she passed away in 1943. The Army sent the man to fight in Burma, with his new regiment the Black Watch, until 1946. After demobilisation, he went back down the mines of the Llynfi valley. Over the years he, as were many of his comrades, was buried in roof collapses, collecting a whole range of injuries and scars, until finally, an accident dislocated both his shoulders, partially wrenched off his thumb and tore out his left eye. He refused to go back down the mines again. In fact, he never worked again. He developed a stomach ulcer, deteriorating over the years, until, whilst out walking his dog in early spring 1986, he collapsed and died of a heart attack, unbeknownst to his son, who was at work not 250 metres away from him. The man was 69 years old. He tried to live with dignity and honour, to overcome his background. On occasion he would get lost in the emotional debris he carried with him. I miss him. He was my father.

Passed this tree earlier, just wondered what the plaque said. On the Wales/England border by Coedway and Alderbury

Good day, evening, or whatever time it may be.

My name is Roman, and I’m creating my own indie game in the visual novel genre. Let me say this upfront: this is not a game for teenage girls. No porn, no anime, no pixel art — think of it as an interactive Game of Thrones with maximum realism and brutality.

Now, about the novel itself: it’s a detective story with elements of mysticism and horror. Here’s the synopsis:
"The Hundred Years' War. An English Dominican monk, Hubert, is sent to the English camp near Orléans. Upon arrival, he learns that a 'beast' has been terrorizing the area, killing English soldiers. At first, Hubert doesn’t believe it, assuming the murders are the work of French forces trying to intimidate the English. But soon, he witnesses one of his companions being killed by a werewolf with his own eyes. Hubert’s task is to uncover the truth of what’s happening here."

One of the main characters in my novel is the commander of a unit of Welsh hobelars. He fights for the English, but… not everything is as it seems.))) Apologies, but I can’t disclose too many plot details just yet. However, I promise this will be one of the deepest and most tragic characters in the novel.

Since I want to make the novel as authentic as possible, may I ask you for help with certain Welsh phrases, names and songs? I’m specifically interested in the period between 1410 and 1428. We can stretch this a bit, let’s say up to 1450.

I’ll mention upfront that I’m using Google as much as possible, but there are some things only native Welsh speakers would know. I promise to credit everyone who helps consult me in the game’s acknowledgments. Thank you in advance!

Nadolig Llawen: Merry Christmas

Anyone with some insights into etymology or other festive Cymraeg words?

Art by Joshua Morgan, Sketchy Welsh

Last year I wrote a history blog about medieval Wales, and specifically the Kingdom of Gwynedd, please feel free to read and comment... Enjoy!

https://teyrnasguynet.blogspot.com/?m=1

Before Owain Glyndŵr, there was Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri (1330 - July 1378).

Owain, better known today as Owain Lawgoch, was a Welsh soldier who fought for the French, whilst leading a free company (a mercenary army), against the English in the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453).

Most interestingly, he was a senior descendant of Llywelyn Fawr of House Aberffraw - giving Lawgoch a strong claim on the titles "Prince of Gwynedd" and "Prince of Wales".

It was in Paris in May of 1372 when Owain would announce his intention on claiming the throne of Cymru and, with the financial support of French King Charles V (21 January 1338 – 16 September 1380), he set out to reclaim his family's traditional Kingdom.

He would prove to be a formidable thorn in the side of the English, who began to fear the potential ramifications of his claim. So much so, in fact, that the English establishment sought the aid of an assassin, John Lamb of Scotland, to take down Owain. He succeeded in killing Owain in July of 1378 and was rewarded a large sum of £20.

Lawgoch is today buried at the Church of St. Leger, near Cognac, France and a memorial at Lawgoch's death location was unveiled Mortagne-sur-Gironde in 2003. He is a hero of Cymru whose name should never be forgotten.

We just released a new power metal album called "Hic Sunt Dracones," and if you're into epic fantasy and mythological storytelling, you’ll want to check this out. The album dives deep into the myths and legends of ancient Wales, drawing inspiration from the Mabinogion and legendary figures like Bran the Blessed and Rhiannon. Each track is like a journey into a forgotten realm, filled with mythical creatures, gods, and battles of epic proportions.

If you love bands like Battlelore or Blind Guardian, you'll definitely enjoy the mix of symphonic metal and heavy, heroic riffs we’ve crafted. From the atmospheric opening with "Arawn's Call" to the powerful closing track about the Lady of the Lake, this album takes you straight into the heart of ancient Celtic lore. Let us know what you think and where the dragons take you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek69p6Awe7M&list=OLAK5uy_nfpY22yKvwdtLSgXCErcTJEIJD7TiA9Nc

Llan: church land/parish/linked to root for ‘land’ Fair: Mary (Mair) Pwll: pool/pit/a hollow Gwyn: white Gyll: hazels (cyll) Go ger: fairly near Y chwyrndrobwll: the fierce whirlpool Llantysilio: church of Tysilio Ogof: a cave Goch: red (Coch)

Image by Joshua Morgan, Sketchy Welsh www.sketchywelsh.com