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The British Royal Family 
Prince Arthur Prince of Wales Born September 20, 1486 Died April 2, 1502 Father: King Henry VII Mother: Elizabeth of York SEE NOTE King Henry VII's hopes centred upon Prince Arthur He was created Prince of Wales when not four years old. His education proceeded with a grim rigor, which allowed no chance for the boy to build a strong constitution. He was learned in Greek and Latin, many letters surviving in the latter which are models of Latin style. The strain of learning was lightened for the Prince by his sport of archery. So good was he as an archer that he gave his name to outstanding proficients in the art; they were said to be true Prince Arthurs. From the earliest age the young Prince was the unconscious subject of matrimonial intrigues. There were several foreign princes who were willing to ally themselves with the House of Tudor. When negotiations were in progress between Spain and England on the subject of Prince Arthur's marriage the business nearly broke down owing to the demands of Henry VII. NOTE: In 1801 the King (George III) adopted Royal Badges for England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and the Welsh Badge was the Red Dragon. You can find the dragon in some English fairy-tales and church carvings. The Celtic dragon also represents sovereignty, power or as Pendragon, the Celtic word meaning 'chief'. The Red Dragon of Cadwallader is the emblem of Wales; the Red Dragon Dreadful' and it was blazed on King Arthur's helmet in battle. The dragon has been depicted on the Welsh banner since at least the departure of the Roman legions and is the official emblem of Wales and was derived from the Great Red Serpent that once represented the old Welsh god Dewi. In 1901 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II also approved that 'the existing red dragon badge, which was appointed as a Royal Badge for Wales over one hundred and fifty years ago, should be honourably augmented by enclosing it in a scroll carrying the words Y DDRAIG GOCH DDYRY CYCHWYN (roughly translated means the Red Dragon inspires action'.) This motto was is in green lettering on a white background and surmounting it a Royal Crown. The dragon officially became the symbol of Wales in 1959. |
