Think of Wales and you think of the Celts. Our culture is deep-rooted in Celtic traditions and our Celtic heritage has become an intrinsic part of who we are.

Wales was a Celtic stronghold and tribes settled in Britain long before the Romans came. The Romans were here for 400 years but never entirely subdued the rebellious Celts.

But they left their legacy in Roman sites such as Caerleon in Gwent where they established a base for their elite legionary troops. You can still see the remains of the ampitheatre they built.

More and more of the Celts were pushed west, giving rise to the Anglo-Saxon term for Wales: 'Waleas' meaning foreigner.

Our turbulent history is studded with our battles with the Romans, Saxons, Picts, Vikings and Anglo-Norman warlords. The Normans were castle builders in Wales, followed by English kings keen to keep the Welsh in check and rebellious Welsh princes keen to fight back.

In the Middle Ages our battles with the English took hold - and dragged on for centuries.

The birth of Welshman Henry Tudor - crowned Henry VII in 1485 and founder of the Tudor dynasty - went some way to cement relations with the two warring countries. But there was a need to be seen as distinct from the English.