Edward the First of England, aka Longshanks, aka the Hammer of the Scots, was not a mild-mannered man. Hard charging, ruthless, and keenly focused on expanding the power of England, his heavy-handed approach earned him many enemies in Scotland and Wales. After a war of conquest in Wales, Prince Llewelyn ab Gruffydd, the last great resister of English rule in Wales, was killed. Edward was aware that he had an opportunity to weaken the opposition by appearing like a reasonable and magnanimous conqueror. To forstall the appointment of another man from the Llewelyn line, Edward promised the Welsh nobles that he would appoint a prince “who didn’t speak a word of English,” implying that he would appoint a trueborn Welshman. When it came time to appoint the successor, though, Edward held up his infant son, who was still a cooing baby and obviously did not know a single word of English. As he held the baby aloft, he proclaimed, in Welsh “Eich dyn”, a phrase that could either mean “this is your man” or “I will serve”. The phrase is still a common element of Welsh heraldry and national symbols.
– A few thoughts from your friend Saxo