For England See Wales: Robin Evans Shows That the Neglect of the History of Wales, and of Other Small Nations, Impoverishes Our Historical Understanding. (Opinion Forum)

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The recent television series, Simon Schama's A History of Britain, received much critical acclaim. Here in Wales, on the other hand, it was seen by many as yet another example of an Anglo-centrism. Our nation was shown, once again, as being on the periphery, not an integral part, of the history of the British Isles. However, anyone who was taught history in the schools of Wales, certainly pre 1980s, would probably recognise Schama's interpretation. The lack of balance shown in this particular series reflects the weaknesses inherent in history curricula in Wales and England today. In our schools it is the history of the nation state, i.e. England, that dominates, while the national history of Wales is relegated to the status of regional history.

WALES RESURGENT?

Arguably, at least within Wales itself, attitudes have changed. At all levels within the country there has been a resurgence in the study of Welsh history over the last quarter of a century, both in terms of the study of the history of Wales itself …