"My grandfather, David Davies, New Quay Sailing Ship Master. Hard man, ear bitten in a fight. Ashore buying stamps, beautiful post mistress. No time to lose, marriage and sailing around the world ...

Historian John Davies on society and culture in Tudor Wales. In 1536 Wales had about 278,000 inhabitants. The number had risen to around 360,000 in 1620 and to perhaps 500,000 by 1750.