Chapter 3, From a Death to a View: The Hunt for the Welsh Past in the Romantic Period Summary and Analysis

The cultural life of Wales in the eighteenth and early nineteenth century appeared to be in decay despite the interest in Welsh practices and attempts to preserve them. During this period, Welsh scholars and patriots rediscovered past traditions, including historical, linguistic and literary varieties. But when these traditions were insufficient a new past was created and romantic mythology took on its own power. A small number of Welsh scholars long knew that distinct Welsh forms of life were evaporating. A native legal system was abolished and the old language was outlawed. Attitudes were anglicized. A loss of cultural self-confidence produced a loss of a sense of history.

The old...