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0:00:05 > 0:00:09- Bala is a town that's full - of history and famous figures.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- This was the birthplace - of Betsi Cadwaladr, 200 years ago.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- She was an unconventional lady - who was ahead of her time.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27- She was in competition - with Florence Nightingale.
0:00:27 > 0:00:33- Betsi was much more - hardworking and practical.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36- However, - she worked in the background.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38- It's a fantastic story.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43- She could inspire - a generation of young girls.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- I've heard several rumours - about her...
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- ..but I do not wish to repeat them.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- I believe that they're - bordering on slanderous.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01- Who was this adventurous girl?
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- There are many stories about her.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- She clashed with Nightingale, - challenged the authorities...
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- ..travelled the world - and even worked as a prostitute.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15- I want to discover the truth.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39- I've always been enchanted - by Betsi Cadwaladr's story.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43- It's the tale of a nurse who helped - Florence Nightingale in Crimea.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46- There was more to Betsi than that.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51- She travelled the world, - received many marriage proposals...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55- ..and fiercely challenged - the era's nursing methods.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01- We associate Betsi with Crimea...
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- ..but my journey starts - in her hometown of Bala.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08- Her name is now synonymous with - the health board in North Wales.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- However, people were slow - to embrace her achievements.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24- Mari, you were nine years old - when you first heard about Betsi.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- I was at primary school - but we didn't hear much about her.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Even when we learnt - about Nightingale...
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- ..we were never taught - about Betsi Cadwaladr.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- Why was that?
0:02:38 > 0:02:44- We should consider Betsi's character - and the period in which she lived.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- Thomas Charles was at the height - of his popularity in Bala.
0:02:49 > 0:02:55- A mother had to be God-fearing - whilst also protecting her family.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01- A child was expected - to be obedient, quiet...
0:03:01 > 0:03:05- ..well-behaved - and a reflection of its parents.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- She enjoyed dancing.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16- She couldn't stand still - and was always on the move.
0:03:16 > 0:03:17- She was a handful for her father.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- She was a handful for her father.- - Yes, a real handful.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Dafydd Cadwaladr was Betsi's father.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- He was a farmhand - before entering the ministry.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- He lived with his wife, Judith - on Pen Rhiw Farm.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- The home now belongs - to the Bala resident, Buddug Medi.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- Hello, Ffion.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44- Hello, Buddug.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- Welcome to Pen Rhiw, - the home of Betsi Cadwaladr.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- What sort of upbringing - did Betsi receive at Pen Rhiw?
0:03:55 > 0:04:00- It was a strict and respectable - Methodist upbringing.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06- They would attend chapel before - heading to church for Communion.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12- Dancing wasn't a part of life - at Pen Rhiw.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Dafydd Cadwaladr opposed dancing...
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- ..and believed it to be - the era's greatest sin.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28- Their mother died - when Betsi was ten years old.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- She knew that Dafydd Cadwaladr - was a very strict man.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- Judith's final words - to her husband...
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- ..when she was dying...
0:04:40 > 0:04:43- ..was "not to bend - Elizabeth's spirit."
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- How do the locals remember Betsi?
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- How do the locals remember Betsi?- - They admire her.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- There are also rumours - that she was gay.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- Why is that?
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- She never married.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- According to Betsi, - she received numerous proposals.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- To be honest, - she looked rather manly.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Many questions - have been raised about Betsi.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- She developed a duality - in her personality at a young age.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- She was mischievous...
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- ..yet God-fearing.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- We know very little - about Betsi Cadwaladr.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- However, - she did leave behind a memoir...
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- ..Betsi Cadwaladr, - A Balaclava Nurse.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- But has this story - been romanticized?
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- I'd like to know - what's fact and what's fiction.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- The book was published in 1857...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- ..by Jane Williams, Ysgafell - three years before Betsi's death.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- According to Jane Williams...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..Betsi didn't have any - written records of her experiences.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- Therefore, - she relied upon her memory.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- How reliable was Betsi's memory?
0:06:02 > 0:06:08- At times, it appears that her memory - was rather reliable.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- However, with other things...
0:06:11 > 0:06:17- ..she experienced - some memory problems.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23- Do you have examples of the facts - that Betsi fabricated?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Betsi had three dates of birth.
0:06:27 > 0:06:27- Three?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Three?- - Yes, three.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- The correct year of birth...
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- ..can be found in the Llanycil - parish register.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- It was 1789.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Her year of birth in Florence - Nightingale's Nurses' Register...
0:06:42 > 0:06:44- ..was 1800.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- Her age in her autobiography...
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- ..suggests that she was born - in between those two dates.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57- It's quite a feat - to have three dates of birth!
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- Betsi might have exaggerated...
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- ..but she undoubtedly - led a colourful life in Bala.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10- She enjoyed reading and writing - but Betsi Pen Rhiw wasn't obedient.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14- There's one story about her - attending a ball at the White Lion.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- She enjoyed herself and danced until - Thomas Charles had to drag her home.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- She was then lectured - by her sister, Gwenllian.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- When everyone and everything - got on her nerves...
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- ..she escaped to the caves - above the farm.
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- This is where she could dream - of travelling the world.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- She also came here to find peace - after losing her mother.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- Betsi wanted to die - after the death of her mother...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- ..but Thomas Charles stopped her.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57- "I always thought I should have done - so, had not Mr Charles of Bala...
0:07:57 > 0:08:01- "..by the exercise of some - mysterious power, prevented me."
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Betsi's mischievous nature - was apparent from an early age.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- However, her childhood - was overshadowed by sadness.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15- For this fickle girl, the hills - of Merioneth weren't enough.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- She wanted to see the world.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- She escaped from Bala - at the age of 13...
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- ..and sailed to Liverpool.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34- At the turn of the 19th century, - Liverpool was a thriving city.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- Thousands of people from Wales - flocked to this city...
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- ..which was bustling - with excitement and danger.
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- There's a story about her witnessing - someone breaking into a house.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Betsi shouted at the thief to stop.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58- She threw herself on the thief, - battled him to the ground...
0:08:58 > 0:09:04- ..and pinned him there - until more people came to help.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Betsi was a very strong character - in Liverpool.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15- In order to sustain herself, - it's thought that Betsi...
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- ..worked as a prostitute - in the docks area.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- However, I can't find any proof...
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- ..other than the fact that - she ran away to work as a nurse.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- The era's respectable girls - should never have done such things.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- However, - Betsi wasn't a conventional girl.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Soon after arriving in Liverpool...
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- ..she was employed as a maid - in one of the city's stately homes.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- The English - couldn't pronounce Cadwaladr.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- Therefore, she changed her name - to Elizabeth Davis.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Betsi Pen Rhiw's life - was about to change.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- She got to know - some influential people.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- She mixed with prominent figures - such as George Canning.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- Betsi met him when he stood - as the MP for Liverpool.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08- She also met the likes - of William Rathbone.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- Betsi mixed with Liverpool's - chapel-goers and political figures.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23- In 1814, Betsi joined her employer, - Sir George and his wife on a cruise.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- They travelled all over Europe.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- She attended Louis XVIII's - celebrations after the Revolution...
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- ..and met Napoleon in Vienna.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- A visit - to the battlefield of Waterloo...
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- ..left a lasting impression.
0:10:40 > 0:10:46- It was the saddest and most pitiful - sight that you could ever imagine.
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- She would have seen hands, - heads, blood and guts.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- She experienced the battlefield - in technicolour.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- I think this truly moved her.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- She was also shocked that the army - didn't provide nurses.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- Back in Liverpool, - Betsi received a wedding proposal.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- Tom Harries was a ship's captain - and her father's friend.
0:11:17 > 0:11:23- They were to marry in May but Betsi - didn't tell her friends and family.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- I wonder if she sensed - what lay ahead.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- This story - left a great impression on me.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- It's the romance of Elizabeth Davis - with Captain Harries.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- He was the captain of a ship - called The Perseverance.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- He was a boy from Solva.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- She begrudgingly surrendered - her independence to get engaged.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- During Tom Harries' voyage - back to Liverpool to get married...
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- ..his ship got into trouble.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Betsi learnt of the tragedy - in a newspaper report.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- It revealed how The Perseverance - was shipwrecked...
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- ..on the Black Rock near Liverpool.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- All hands were lost except one boy.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- Betsi lost her fiance on the rocks - near the mouth of the River Mersey.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Despite many other proposals, - she never married.
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0:12:27 > 0:12:27- Subtitles
0:12:27 > 0:12:29- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- My search for the truth - about Betsi Cadwaladr...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- ..continues at The National Archives - in London.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43- It's believed to house a document - written by Betsi's fair hand.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- This box contains - hundreds of letters...
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- ..written by nurses - applying to go to Crimea.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- One letter - is of particular interest to us.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55- And here it is.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- This is Betsi Cadwaladr's - application.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- It's full of spelling mistakes - and grammatical errors...
0:13:03 > 0:13:08- ..but I'm more surprised - by the description of herself.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- She claims to be - a 44-year-old widow...
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- ..of robust constitution.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- The last part was certainly true.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- In truth, - she was a 64-year-old spinster.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- What was going through her mind - at the time?
0:13:25 > 0:13:29- I don't believe - that Betsi wrote this letter.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- I think that the Elizabeth Davis - who wrote the letter...
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- ..was a completely different woman.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- I have done research - about the time of the letter...
0:13:42 > 0:13:44- ..the time of the post - in those days...
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- ..and Betsi's location.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- In my opinion, Betsi couldn't - possibly have written this letter.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- It's a mistake.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- It's a mistake.- - Yes, in my opinion.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- It's a plausible theory...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- ..but others believe - that it is Betsi's letter.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- My view is - that she was determined to go.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- The advertisement - stated an age limit...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- ..and she was well above - the age limit...
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- ..so she told a lie in that letter.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21- And when she was interviewed...
0:14:21 > 0:14:25- ..they were so impressed - with her knowledge...
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- ..that they decided to accept her - and take her out.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Whether Betsi - was the author or not...
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- ..it adds to the ambiguity - of her story.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- A lack of names and places, - and those three dates of birth.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- However, we know that she applied - to go to Crimea...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- ..after a period of nursing - at Guy's Hospital.
0:14:47 > 0:14:53- Women who wanted to become nurses - were not respected in that era.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- It was considered inferior work...
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- ..and on a par - with the work of a maid.
0:15:00 > 0:15:06- In the hospitals, medical staff - were responsible for the patients.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- What about nursing in the war?
0:15:08 > 0:15:13- The nurses would have witnessed - some awful scenes.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- Field hospitals didn't have - the suitable necessities...
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- ..such as blankets and beds.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- There were reports - of rats and fleas.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Sewage systems - hadn't been developed...
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- ..which meant patients - were surrounded by sewage.
0:15:36 > 0:15:42- Despite the terrible conditions, - she was determined to go to Crimea.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- She received - a letter of acceptance...
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- ..but there was one obstacle - in her way.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Her name was Florence Nightingale.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- Florence Nightingale was already - leading a team of nurses in Crimea.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- She had drawn attention - to the terrible conditions.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- Betsi immediately disliked - Florence Nightingale's name.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- "I did not like the name, - Nightingale."
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- They took an absolute - instant dislike to each other.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- They were both formidable women...
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- ..and neither - was going to give ground.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27- When Betsi realized that Nightingale - wasn't going to let her...
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- ..be anywhere near - the injured soldiers in Scutari...
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- ..which is what she'd come to do...
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- ..she said, "I'm going to Balaclava - to look after the soldiers there."
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- I hear you've been upsetting - my nurses.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- No, I have nothing to do - with anybody but myself.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- But I want to go home - if I can't go to the Crimea.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54- Why?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56- Because I don't like this place...
0:16:57 > 0:16:58- ..nor anybody in it.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Nor do I like the system.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- If you go to the Crimea, - you go against my will.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Betsi was a more hands-on nurse.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16- She wanted to start working as soon - as she disembarked from the ship.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Despite Nightingale's objection...
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- ..Betsi was allowed to travel - to the Balaclava battlefield.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- There wasn't room - for both of them in the same place.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- If Florence Nightingale - was the star of Scutari...
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- ..Elizabeth Cadwaladr Davis - was the star of Balaclava.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- The Crimean War was a conflict - between the Russian Empire...
0:17:46 > 0:17:51- ..and an alliance between France, - Britain, Sardinia and Turkey.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- It started in 1853.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- For the first time ever...
0:17:56 > 0:18:00- ..details of the battles - were reported in the newspapers.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- Pages from the Illustrated London - News show the reports from Crimea.
0:18:05 > 0:18:11- There's a description of the - patients and how they were treated.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- There's an image - that shows wooden huts...
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- ..and one single bed - to share between the patients.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22- It's difficult to comprehend...
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- ..how ordinary folk could read about - the severity or war.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- These reports of the Crimean War - left a lasting impression on Wales.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- That's why we're still familiar...
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- ..with the names - of Crimea, Sevastopol and Balaclava.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- We're told that there were eight - miles of corridors and wards...
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- ..that the soldiers - were being looked after in.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- That's the scale of the people - who were injured.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Betsi faced an enormous challenge - in Balaclava.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- She was put in charge - of some wards...
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- ..and took immediate steps to - improve conditions for the patients.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- She was highly respected.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- The leader of the British Army, - Baron Raglan even supported her.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Betsi was a pioneer - of modern nursing.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- She brought the work of a nurse - to the fore.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- Her focus was on the patient...
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- ..and she improved the quality - of the fundamental aspects of care.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- Patients received nutritious food - and plenty to drink.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- Surroundings were kept clean - and comfortable to reduce infection.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50- That's why she's considered - a pioneer of modern nursing.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- But there was a price to pay - for her work in Crimea...
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- ..and her health suffered.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- She returned to London - ill and poor.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- Jane Williams of Ysgafell's - offer to write her memoir...
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- ..offered her an income.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- She had a good story to tell...
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- ..but Jane Williams - needed to be a thorough editor.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20- Betsi had been very judgemental - of Florence Nightingale.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- Therefore, Jane Williams - wrote letters...
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- ..to those who had met - and worked with Betsi in Crimea.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- She asked them - to confirm Betsi's claims.
0:20:31 > 0:20:37- Jane Williams knew that the friends - of Florence Nightingale...
0:20:37 > 0:20:41- ..would read the book - to check every detail.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Some 700 copies of the memoir - were published.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- It appears that most of the copies - were sold.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59- However, there wasn't - another edition until the 1980s.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- Betsi never worked again - and died aged 72.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12- She was buried quietly without - a headstone in Stoke Newington.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- Nobody knew of her final - resting place until fairly recently.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- The clue that Betsi lay in London...
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- ..was on her father's headstone - at Llanycil Church, Bala...
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- ..and Donna Mead solved the mystery.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39- I knew she died a pauper and I also - knew that at around this time...
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- ..several very large cemeteries - were built in Victorian London.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- I went around the big graveyards - and eventually, I found Abney Park.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- I spoke to them and they said, - "Yes, she's buried here."
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- Betsi is finally getting - the recognition she deserves...
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- ..after being ignored for so long.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10- She's finally been immortalized.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- She could choose - who she wanted to marry...
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- ..and who she spent her time with.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- She made her own money - which gave her freedom.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- We should remember Betsi - as an extraordinary woman.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- She was adventurous, - independent and confident.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- She was a unique Welsh woman.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- Betsi's journey - came to an end here...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- ..and so will my research - into her life.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54- This girl from Bala saw the world.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59- She was determined, - independent and exceptional.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Betsi Cadwaladr, - the Balaclava nurse.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43- In memory of Sian Pari Huws - 1960 - 2015
0:23:43 > 0:23:45- S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis
0:23:45 > 0:23:46- .