Wales (Welsh: Cymru[ˈkəm.rɨ]ⓘ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the southwest and the Bristol Channel to the south. As of the 2021 census, it had a population of 3,107,494. It has a total area of 21,218km2 (8,192sqmi) and over 1,680 miles (2,700km) of coastline. It is largely mountainous with its higher peaks in the north and central areas, including Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), its highest summit. The country lies within the north temperate zone and has a changeable, maritime climate. The capital and largest city is Cardiff.
Sibyl de Neufmarché, Countess of Hereford, suo jure Lady of Brecknock (c.1100 – after 1143), was a Cambro-Normannoblewoman, heiress to one of the most substantial fiefs in the Welsh Marches. The great-granddaughter of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, king of Wales, Sibyl was also connected to the nobility of England and Normandy.
Sibyl inherited the titles and lands of her father, Bernard de Neufmarché, Lord of Brecon, after her mother, Nest ferch Osbern, had declared her brother Mahel to have been illegitimate. Most of these estates passed to Sibyl's husband, Miles de Gloucester, 1st Earl of Hereford, as her dowry. Their marriage had been arranged personally by King Henry I of England in the spring of 1121. Sibyl, with her extensive lands, was central to the King's plans of consolidating Anglo-Norman power in south-east Wales by the merging of her estates with those of Miles, his loyal subject on whom he relied to implement Crown policy.
As an adult, Sibyl lived through King Stephen's turbulent reign, known to history as the Anarchy, in which her husband played a pivotal role. Following Miles' accidental death in 1143, Sibyl entered a religious life at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire, England, which she had endowed up to six years previously. Sibyl is buried at the priory, founded by Miles in 1136.
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Maesyronnen
Maesyronnen Chapel, situated about 1 mile north of the village of Glasbury, Powys, is one of the earliest Nonconformist chapels to be built in Wales. Built shortly after the Act of Toleration of 1689, which granted Nonconformists freedom to worship in their own buildings, it is the only chapel existing from that time to be largely unchanged and still in use as a chapel.
Did you know...?
... that the church of St Iestyn, Llaniestyn, contains a 12th-century font and a 14th-century memorial effigy to St Iestyn?
... that while the 19th-century writer Samuel Lewis described the church of St Mary, Tal-y-llyn as "a small edifice of no interest", it is now one of the most highly rated listed buildings in the country?
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Arthur Joseph "Monkey" Gould (10 October 1864 – 2 January 1919) was a Welsh international rugby unioncentre and full back who was most associated as a club player with Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 27 caps for Wales, 18 as captain, and is considered the first superstar of Welsh rugby. Gould led Wales to the country's very first Home Nations Championship and Triple Crown titles in 1893; defining himself as a great player and captain in the match against England during the same tournament. Towards the end of his career Gould was at the centre of a controversy which saw Wales withdraw from international rugby for 12 months.
Gould was the most capped Welsh centre until Steve Fenwick of Bridgend beat the record at Lansdowne Road on 15 March 1980. He played 27 times for Wales, twice at full back and 25 at centre, ending his career against England on 9 January 1897. This last game was played in front of 17,000 supporters at Rodney Parade; Wales won 11–0. It was the 18th time Gould had captained Wales and this record stood until broken by Ieuan Evans in 1994.
A superb all round player and even-time sprinter with swerve, Gould could side-step and kick with either foot. He never ceased to practise to develop his fitness and skills. He was considered the outstanding player of his time.
Image 10Standard of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, King of Powys 1063-1075. (from History of Wales)
Image 11'The Welsh at Mametz Wood' painted by Christopher Williams, commissioned by Secretary of State for War at the time, David Lloyd George. (from History of Wales)
Image 12Caradog by Thomas Prydderch. Caradog led multiple celtic tribes against the Romans. (from History of Wales)
Image 13King Hywel Dda depicted in a 13th-century manuscript (from History of Wales)
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