Wales

=Welcome to Wales=

media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=wales&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=18.813781,35.859375&ie=UTF8&ll=54.072283,-2.746582&spn=3.450892,8.964844&z=6&output=embed&s=AARTsJqLm917wsabkFontQ6GlsnXyFhKMg" width="425" height="350" The later Roman cavalry was the primary defending force against the Saxons towards the end of the occupation. They are believed to have used a dragon emblem on their pennants and standards during their occupation of Britain. Draco standards were used between 250 and 400 AD, and were typically carried by cavalry units. They consisted of a hollow beast's head, made from metal, with a windsock-style cloth tail descending from the rear of the head. Frequently a whistle device was attached to the mouth or staff of the standard, to sound as it was moved around, either by a standard bearer on foot or a mounted soldier. The standards were used in a number of forms after the Romans left Britain. The Welsh kings of Aberffraw used the emblem to symbolise their authority in the early fifth century. The name Pendragon, or Pen Draig, has its origins in these battle standards. The old wales
 * The national anthem of wales  **

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi, Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri; Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mâd, Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed. (Cytgan) Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad. Tra môr yn fur i'r bur hoff bau, O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau. Hen Gymru fynyddig, paradwys y bardd, Pob dyffryn, pob clogwyn, i'm golwg sydd hardd; Trwy deimlad gwladgarol, mor swynol yw si Ei nentydd, afonydd, i mi. (Cytgan) Os treisiodd y gelyn fy ngwlad tan ei droed, Mae hen iaith y Cymry mor fyw ag erioed, Ni luddiwyd yr awen gan erchyll law brad, Na thelyn berseiniol fy ngwlad. (Cytgan) Translations //The following is a fairly free translation in verse.// The land of my fathers is dear unto me, Old land where the minstrels are honoured and free: Its warring defenders, so gallant and brave, For freedom their life's blood they gave Land!,Land!,True I am to my land! While seas secure, this land so pure, o may our old language endure. O land of the mountains, the bard's paradise, Whose precipice, valleys lone as the skies, Green murmuring forest, far echoing flood Fire the fancy and quicken the blood For tho' the fierce foeman has ravaged your realm, The old speech of Wales he cannot o'erwhelm, Our passionate poets to silence command Or banish the harp from your strand.