I guess it's cool!

I'm welsh from my maternal grandfather, I did a report on it a while back, but i dont have the info anymore. But what i was, and still am pissed about, is that the Great Britain flag has Scottish, Irish, and English stuff, but no welsh!

Yeah, the Union Jack(flag of Great Britain) excludes Welsh imagery for some reason, which sucks.

IMO Wales historically has got a pretty crappy deal from England. I get the impression that out of the three conquered Celtic nations, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, Wales has had the least autonomy, and until the last few years seemed like a glorified county of England or something.

Wales didn't even have it's own assembly until about 5 years ago I think. But one good thing is, there has been a resurgence of the Welsh language. 1 in 3 young people speak it or something like that. I'd love to learn it, but it looks very hard.

Some famous Welsh people include Sir Anthony Hopkins, Tom Jones(lol), and John Rhys-Davies.

The Daffodil is a national symbol of Wales


And so is the Leek



The Harp is considered the national instrument of Wales.

Also for many years, many years, coal was considered the backbone of the Welsh economy. When the coal mining industry collapsed, it screwed up the economy for awhile.

I'm reading this stuff off of various web sites I am looking up.

I am of Welsh, Irish, and Native American descent. I am very proud of my Irish heritage. I love celtic music, but I never could get into that River Dance stuff.

linkinparkfreak Wrote: I am of Welsh, Irish, and Native American descent. I am very proud of my Irish heritage. I love celtic music, but I never could get into that River Dance stuff.

LOL, yeah River Dance does suck, although, overall, I as well enjoy Celtic music. Wow you got kind of a similar background to me, Celtic and Native American. My father's side is Celtic(Welsh, Scotish)/Native American(Cherokee)/Middle Eastern(Turkish), and my mom's side is Celtic(welsh, scotish)/Anglo-saxon/Native american(cherokee).

So my mom and dad have similar backgrounds. My dad's family was from Northeast Alabama(appalachian area), he was born there but raised elsewhere. My mom was born and raised in Texas, but my maternal grandmother was born in N.E. Alabama, and my maternal grandfather's parents came from northwest Georgia(which is also part of Appalachia).

My great grandfather was pure Welsh, so that makes me what... something like a 1/4 Welsh! Wales pwns!

TheTinMan2005 Wrote: IMO Wales historically has got a pretty crappy deal from England. I get the impression that out of the three conquered Celtic nations, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, Wales has had the least autonomy, and until the last few years seemed like a glorified county of England or something.

I understand where you're coming from, but the Welsh have historicaly had the LEAST racism from the English. Scots and Irish (north or south) don't particaly get along with the English, whereas the English have no problems with the Welsh.
The next prince in line for the throne, always get s the title 'Prince of Wales' though....

Even though I'm English, my first name (David) is of Welsh descent, and St. David is the saint of Wales I think...

Oh yeah and one of the hottest women ever is Welsh, Catherine Zeta-Jones!

If I remember correctly the Union Jack and Great Britain itself was originally created with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Wales joined a bit later, I guess the Union Jack hasn't been updated because a half white or a half green or a huge red dragon wouldn't go well with the flag.

I'm sure most Welsh people aren't too bothered, they do have the best flag out of all the British countries.

My name happens to be Irish for William (Liam), I've no connections with the Irish, 100% English, but I'd like to thank them for creating the best name ever

FLSTYLE Wrote: If I remember correctly the Union Jack and Great Britain itself was originally created with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Wales joined a bit later, I guess the Union Jack hasn't been updated because a half white or a half green or a huge red dragon wouldn't go well with the flag. I'm sure most Welsh people aren't too bothered, they do have the best flag out of all the British countries. My name happens to be Irish for William (Liam), I've no connections with the Irish, 100% English, but I'd like to thank them for creating the best name ever

Really?? I thought Wales and England started the UK, guess I was wrong.

And yes, the Welsh flag is badass. How can you beat a red dragon?

Hahah. And while English, Scotish and Irish food all have a bad rep(no offense), I've heard Welsh food is pretty good. I dunno, I might have to get a recipe, try cooking a dish or two.

I found out something new.


The Welsh are considered to be the original Britons. They were there before the Anglo-Saxons, the Scots, the Manx, the Cornish, or the Irish.

Infact, the Cymry(Welsh people) are not even 'Celtic ' in the sense of other Celts. While the Cornish, Irish, Scots, and Manx all came to the British Isles from mainland Europe, the Welsh are completely native to Britain. When the celts started arriving in pre-Roman Britain, it is believed the Welsh took on their language/culture.

Sweet.

More info. I discovered the origin of my surname, Sparks.

Richard the Lion-hearted called his head falconer Sparrowhawk, and over time, his descendants shortened it to Spark and eventually added the 's' on the end, which indicated leniage. Kind of like Johnson in English, 'son of John', or Robertson, 'son of Robert'.

I also found my family crest. It has a motto on it in Latin but I don't know what it means. 'Celer et Verus', anyone who knows Latin please tell me what that means.

I'm going to get the Welsh Red Dragon tattooed on my back right shoulder, and my family crest on the left, with a Sparrowhawk(just the head, with red eyes) above it.

Damnit why can't I get this thread going...

TheTinMan2005 Wrote: I also found my family crest. It has a motto on it in Latin but I don't know what it means. 'Celer et Verus', anyone who knows Latin please tell me what that means.

The Latin motto "Celer et Verus" means "Swift and True", which would be appropriate for the original surname Sparrowhawk.

I will agree with you in asserting that the flag of Wales is one of the most striking that I have encountered in my amateur vexillological studies.

Hotaru3472 Wrote: TheTinMan2005 Wrote: I also found my family crest. It has a motto on it in Latin but I don't know what it means. 'Celer et Verus', anyone who knows Latin please tell me what that means. The Latin motto "Celer et Verus" means "Swift and True", which would be appropriate for the original surname Sparrowhawk. I will agree with you in asserting that the flag of Wales is one of the most striking that I have encountered in my amateur vexillological studies.

Oh, cool. Yeah, the Welsh flag is pretty cool. I'm not sure what vexillological is though, I'll have to look it up.

TheTinMan2005 Wrote: Oh, cool. Yeah, the Welsh flag is pretty cool. I'm not sure what vexillological is though, I'll have to look it up.

"Vexillological" means relating to the study of flags.

Hotaru3472 Wrote: TheTinMan2005 Wrote: Oh, cool. Yeah, the Welsh flag is pretty cool. I'm not sure what vexillological is though, I'll have to look it up. "Vexillological" means relating to the study of flags.

Ahh, ok. I figured so, but wasn't too sure.


By the way, the Red Dragon was believed to have originated in Roman times. It's believed a type of Roman currency used in Britan(which I believe was called Cumbria by the Romans) featured a dragon.

Also, in early British tales from the days of the Anglo, Saxon, and Jute invasions, there was a tale of a Red Dragon(representing the native Britains) slaying a White Dragon(representing the Anglos/Saxons/Jutes) in battle. So the Red Dragon was supposed to represent the Welsh people fighting against the foreign Germanic invaders.

Also, the Arthurian tales are believed to be of Britonic(pre-Anglo British) origin.

Here are some Welsh recipes...

Creamy Crab of Cymru

2 crabs, boiled or steamed
4 tablespoons fresh white breadcrumbs
1 lemon, juice only
2 tablespoons malt vinegar
salt, to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 ounces grated double Gloucester cheese or cheddar cheese


1. Lay the crabs on their backs and twist off the claws and legs and set aside.
2. Pull the body and shell apart and discard any green matter and the so-called'dead man's fingers' (the greyish gills).
3. Scoop out all the meat from the shells and put in a mixing bowl.
4. Crack the claws with a hammer to obtain all the white meat and add to the dark meat.
5. Mix the breadcrumbs with the lemon juice, vinegar, salt and cayenne.
6. Add half of this mixture to the crabmeat and mix well.
7. Clean the crab shells and pile the crab mixture into the shells.
8. Top with the remaining breadcrumb mixture and grated cheese and bake at 425°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is brown.

Welsh Rarebit

1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups, we use Tillamook)
2 large egg yolks
1/4 cup dark beer (we use Newcastle)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch cayenne pepper
coarse salt
fresh ground pepper
5 slices of hearty bread
5 slices beefsteak tomatoes
1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1. Preheat your broiler and line a baking sheet with foil.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together the cheese, egg yolks, beer, mustard, Worcestechire Sauce, and Cayenne pepper.
3. Place sliced bread on baking sheet and broil until lightly toasted on one side.
4. Be sure to check bread frequently, as it toasts up fairly quickly.
5. Remove bread and invert.
6. Divide the cheese mixture between the bread, pressing slightly to adhere.
7. Place tomato slices next to bread on baking sheet, drizzle tomatoes with oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
8. Return to broiler, and cook until cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
9. Place a slice of broiled tomato on top of each slice and serve immediately.

Wastels Yfarced(Toasted stuffed brown rolls)

3 wholewheat rolls, halved and with their crumb removed
2 ounces butter
4 ounces mushrooms, chopped roughly
4 ounces cooked and very well drained spinach leaves, chopped roughly
2 ounces raisins
salt, pepper,ground cinnamon,cloves to taste
2 eggs

1.Put halved rolls in moderately hot oven for approx.
2.10 minutes or till they are lightly browned and crisp.
3.Melt the butter in a pan and cook the mushrooms for a couple of minutes.
4.Add the spinach and the raisins and continue to cook gently for several minutes, or till the butter has been almost absorbed by the veggies.
5.Season to taste with the salt, pepper, and spices.
6.Beat the egg in a bowl, add to the veggie mixture and cook it gently just long enough for the egg to slightly bind to the other ingredients.
7. Pile the filling into the halved rolls and serve at once.

Leek and potatoe pie

2 lbs potatoes
4 medium leeks
1 tablespoon flour
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups hot milk
1-2 tablespoon butter

1.Peel the potatoes and slice thinly.
2.Wash the leeks thoroughly and slice thinly discarding about the last 2 inches of the green tops.
3.Mix together the flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
4.Grease a casserole dish.
5.Put in alternate layers of potatoes and leeks sprinkling each layer with the seasoned flour and small chips of butter.
6.The top layer should be potatoes.
7.Dot the top with butter, pour hot milk on top of the casserole.
8.Bake in the oven uncovered (gas 5, 375°F, 190°C.) for about 1 hour.

I'm Welsh from my moms side of the family, her maiden name is Welsh (Maddock). And the Wales flag does pwn! Welsh power! My dad knew a guy from Clywd, North Wales when he was on CB radio...I've got a whole packet of photos from his village, very peaceful.

Raining_Smoke Wrote: I'm Welsh from my moms side of the family, her maiden name is Welsh (Maddock). And the Wales flag does pwn! Welsh power! My dad knew a guy from Clywd, North Wales when he was on CB radio...I've got a whole packet of photos from his village, very peaceful.

Sweet. Yeah, Clywd is a fairly well-known Welsh town I think.

That's neat about the photos, It'd be cool if you could scan them and post them, if you cant dont worry no big deal.

Does your mom cook any Welsh dishes?

My family isnt the recipe type...we dont cook anything that takes time...unfortunately. I eat what my dad makes. I'll try to get the photos up if I do I'll let you know.

Raining_Smoke Wrote: My family isnt the recipe type...we dont cook anything that takes time...unfortunately. I eat what my dad makes. I'll try to get the photos up if I do I'll let you know.

Okay, thanks.

And I understand, most of the time I cook my own dinner(usually something from the freezer), eat fast food, or eat out.

Which is one of the reasons I love staying at my uncles, he ALWAYS cooks, and he cooks gourmet resturaunt type food all the time, I love it.

Hey man try www.houseofnames.com and type in your surname it will give you some pretty cool info about your last name and origin of it. My name has been around since before Norman Conquests in 1066 A.D. Oh my bad you already searched your name..