Gentility in Early Modern Wales: The Salesbury Family, 14501720 (Studies in Welsh History)

An overview of Welsh and British history from 1450–1720 providing a new assessment of Welsh gentility. The first full-length published study of the Salesburys of Rhug and Bachymbyd, Gentility in Early Modern Wales significantly extends the existing knowledge and understanding of this well-known early modern Welsh gentry family while correcting several errors and misinformation established by nineteenth-century antiquarians. Early modern Wales was a place of opportunity and transition for the gentry as they navigated a complex relationship with their English neighbors and found themselves cultivating a new identity as Cambro-Britons. From this in-depth analysis, the book finds that the Welsh gentry were status-conscious and opportunistic, but Welshness remained fundamental to their sense of self. This is further enhanced by considering the early modern Welsh gentry within a wider global context for the first time, through their participation in colonial activity in the Americas, as well as trade and war with continental Europe. Cover Title Copyright Series editors’ foreword Contents Series editors’ foreword Acknowledgements A note on spelling List of Abbreviations Maps Genealogical Tables Introduction 1. The Salesbury family 2. Territorial legitimacy 3. Networks of power 4. Culture, scholarship and religion 5. The wider world Epilogue Bibliography Index