Watched the first episode of this last night, fantastically well made, and a great historical background to Cymru.BBC News at Ten presenter Huw Edwards tells the story of Wales from prehistoric times to the emergence of a modern nation.
Beginning with the earliest known human burial in Western Europe, the Red Lady of Paviland , and ending with Wales own government, this is an authoritative popular history of Wales. It s a journey through Viking, Saxon and Norman invasions, Hywel Dda s united Wales, Owain Glyndwr s rebellion, the heart of the Tudor court, coal mines, Welsh language campaigns and present day devolution. From the rich culture of medieval Wales to the cutting-edge of innovation, this six part series examines issues of power, war and industry. Bitter battles and economic booms forge a vibrant nation with a unique history, culture and identity.
The Makings of Wales: Visiting ancient stone tombs we discover cults of the dead and investigate legends of invading Celtic warbands. What can an Iron Age sword placed in a lake tell us about lost communities?
Power Struggles: The Welsh are under attack from the Vikings and Saxons and show great political skill in building up trade and alliances. The defeat of the last native Prince of Wales in 1282 is followed by a century of plague and famine. The charismatic Owain Glyndwr leads a rebellion against the English Crown.
England and Wales: A fallen crown hanging from a thorn bush in a battlefield is lifted by a Welshman, beginning the reign of the Tudors. Ambitious Welsh families are drawn to the palaces of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I in London, but Wales itself is left behind; even its language is downgraded.
Furnace of Change: Beginning with the city known as Copperopolis, Welsh industry finds its feet in a market for metal. A popular political radicalism quickly seeks a fair share of this new wealth, leading to rioters demanding higher wages.
A New Beginning: Welsh culture seizes its moment and builds grand buildings and its first university. It s all funded by the black gold of the booming coalfields which quickly draw in a new generation of migrants.
Welshman: David Lloyd George leads Britain in World War I. Wales and Britain Wales is fully engaged with building a British Welfare State and economy after World War II. But Welsh language campaigns from the 1960s onwards, followed by the Miners Strike, lead to a new desire for more independence in the government of Wales.
(I went to school with Huw Edwards.)
