Power in Wales in the early middle ages was inextricably linked to political authority. This book analyzes the nature of power and its relationships, in theory and in practice, and examines the territorial and social distribution of power. Who had power? How did they use it? What did it mean?

'a useful contribution to the discussion' Times Literary Supplement `has all the virtues of concise, thoughtful presentation that readers of her work have come to expect ... Anyone interested in what it meant to exercise power in the early Middle Ages will read this book with pleasure and with profit.' Journal of Medieval History 'Professor Davies's stimulating approach will be assured of a broad measure of approbation.' J.B. Smith, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, History, February 1992 'within the turmoil of social and political change, Wendy Davies has given us much to think about' Henry Loyn, Welsh History Review, 12/91 'There is much to attract Welsh historians to this little book.' David N. Dumville, Girton College, Cambridge, Journal of Welsh Religious History 'This is a short book, but it is written by a distinguished historian who defies the limitations of the source-materials and the traditional patterns of interpretation to propound these new approaches to the history of Wales in the early Middle Ages.' D.P. Kirby University College of Wales, Aberystwyth EHR Shorter Notices April '94 `This book is a welcome addition to the rather small collection of scholarly books on early medieval Wales.' Michael Richter, Universität Konstanz, Irish Historical Studies, Vol. XXIX No. 116, November 1995