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Pre-Christian Wales
25,000 BCE-
43 AD |
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Before Christianity arrived in Wales, archaeological evidence shows the existence of a variety of religious beliefs and rituals. More... |
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The Romans & the coming of Christianity
43 AD-410 AD |
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The Roman invasion of Britain brought new influences, and Roman gods and native British gods combined to produce religious hybrids. It also paved the way for a new religion. More... |
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The age of the saints
410 AD-1066 |
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Christianity eventually became the religion of the Roman empire. The empire's collapse in Britain created a 'Welsh' people whose identity was based on Christianity and a common language. More... |
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The Norman threat
1066-1135 |
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With the Pope's blessing King William conquered England in 1066, permitting Norman lords to raid Wales and carve out feudal lordships. These new masters also set about reforming the Welsh church. More... |
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Princes & bishops
1135-1485 |
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The Church was a pawn in the struggle between the native princes and the Marcher lords. Edward I ended Welsh independence in 1282, though the Glyndwr uprising threatened Canterbury's supremacy. More... |
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Reformation & dissolution
1485 - 1640 |
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The foundation of the Tudor dynasty. Under Henry VIII Wales and England left the Roman Catholic church, and one consequence was the translation of the Bible into Welsh. More... |
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Civil War
1640-1689 |
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The Civil War ended with the establishment of a Protestant republic, but the Restoration saw various Protestant sects persecuted. In Wales the Quakers in particular were to suffer. More... |
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The birth of nonconformity
1689-1735 |
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Religious freedom for Dissent was accompanied by a steady rise in literacy, which prepared the way for massive changes. More... |
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Hymnwriters & preachers
1735-1800 |
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The beginning of the Methodist Revival in Wales and the first wave of great Welsh preachers and hymnwriters. More... |
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A Nonconformist people
1800-1840 |
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Following the Methodist Revival, a second wave of preachers emerged as Wales underwent the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. More... |
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Industrialism & temperance
1840-1881 |
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Government reports on Wales portrayed a country of ignorance and moral laxity. The patriotic backlash was a boost for Nonconformity and its values. More... |
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Culture & politics
1881-1904 |
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Chapel democracy gave Welsh Nonconformity a voice, and disestablishment of the Anglican Church became a controversial political issue. More... |
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The Revival
1904-1905 |
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The 'land of revivals' experienced its biggest one to date as Evan Roberts swept through Wales, converting thousands to the gospel. More... |
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The growth of secularism
1905-present |
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The First World War saw a collapse of the old order across Europe, and in Wales organised Christianity went into a long decline. More... |
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Multicultural Wales
Present and future |
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All the major world religions have a presence throughout Wales, with some being long-established in the country. More... |
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