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0:00:08 > 0:00:13- Today, my challenge is to travel - back in time by some 900 years...
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- ..to an era when documenting - the history of women was rare.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22- One woman interests us but - every image of her is speculatory.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27- The new illustrations of Gwenllian - are thought to have come about...
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- ..from a romantic representation - created by modern Wales.
0:00:36 > 0:00:42- But Princess Gwenllian lived in - an exciting period of Welsh history.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47- Gwenllian's background - and experience in battle...
0:00:47 > 0:00:51- ..helped her to advise her husband - in political matters.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- She's the only Welsh woman - to lead an army into battle.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04- The unstable political situation - at the time...
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- ..meant that Gwenllian - could take up a military role.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- A role that was deemed absurd - for a woman in Medieval Wales.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18- Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23- Princess, royal mother, - warrior and heroine.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45- Aberffraw on the west of Anglesey...
0:01:46 > 0:01:49- ..was home to a royal Welsh dynasty - 900 years ago.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56- Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd - was born here in about 1096.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05- There were many royal courts - on the island...
0:02:05 > 0:02:10- ..but the court at Gwenllian's home - in Aberffraw was the most important.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- The courts are gone but parts of the - church are from the 12th century.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19- There's more than one Gwenllian - in our history...
0:02:20 > 0:02:22- ..but this one stands out for me.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- The princess from Aberffraw, - mother of Lord Rhys...
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- ..who led the Welsh into battle - against the Normans...
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- ..before being executed - in Kidwelly in 1136.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- It's an ancient tale, - but is it true?
0:02:41 > 0:02:46- This is the oldest story in the - series so it'll be challenging.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- Records of Medieval women are rare - as it was the Age of the Princes.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58- There are no images, no grave and - a shortage of facts about Gwenllian.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- The lack of information - has heightened her profile...
0:03:03 > 0:03:05- ..and created a heroine.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08- If we look at the princes...
0:03:09 > 0:03:15- ..there's very little evidence about - the princesses, wives and women.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- This is what makes them - even more interesting.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- We have to claw around - for the evidence.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- It isn't handed to us on a plate.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- It might be harder - to discover the information...
0:03:30 > 0:03:36- ..but it's more gratifying when - you discover a piece of evidence.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43- Our most important source is Hanes y - Daith Trwy Gymru by Gerald of Wales.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- And like the queen of the Amazons - and second Penthesilea...
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- ..led her army into those zones.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56- His wife, Gwenllian was defeated - in a battle by Maurice de Londres.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02- Gerald of Wales was related - to Gwenllian on his mother's side.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- Gwenllian had been dead for 50 years - when he wrote his book.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- How reliable is Gerald's evidence?
0:04:10 > 0:04:14- We can't believe every word - from Gerald of Wales.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18- He enjoyed exaggerating.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- It's also important to remember...
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- ..that Gwenllian was Gerald's Aunt.
0:04:25 > 0:04:31- The story could have been - passed down through the family.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- This means that Gerald - was in an ideal situation...
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- ..to give us a reliable report - of the events.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- This is pure conjecture.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- We're uncertain - of the exact circumstances...
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- ..but it's the only source we have - about Gwenllian and the Normans.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- The end of her life is recorded.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- But what about the beginning?
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Who was she - and what do we know about her past?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- Her father, Gruffudd ap Cynan - was the King of Gwynedd.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- We can trace his family back seven - generations to Rhodri the Great.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- Angharad, Gwenllian's mother was - the daughter of Edwin of Tegeingl.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- She is the only wife of - a Welsh prince to be called a queen.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Gwenllian came from - a strong royal lineage.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Welsh ancestry - is a very important source.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34- It helps us with the names - of the princes and the kings.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- The Welsh were - fascinated by their lineage.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- The kings and princes - had lists of their ancestors...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- ..to prove their status - and privileges.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- We're certain - that she was born on Anglesey.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- The south-east coast of the island - has Medieval remains...
0:05:57 > 0:06:00- ..where Gwenllian may have walked.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- At Penmon Church...
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- ..we find two Celtic crosses - dating back to the 10th century.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- Few sites with connections - to Gwenllian remain on Anglesey.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- I'm on the way to one of them - and I've never been there before.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- On the outskirts of Beaumaris, - lies Aberlleiniog Castle.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- This Norman fortress - was built in the 11th century.
0:06:37 > 0:06:38- Hello.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39- Hello.- - Hello, Ffion.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- Welcome to Aberlleiniog Castle.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46- How is this site - linked with Gwenllian?
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- Gwenllian's father, - Gruffudd ap Cynan...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53- ..took the castle from the Normans - over 900 years ago.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- At the time, the Normans were trying - to conquer parts of Wales.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- Following the Battle of Hastings - in 1066...
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- ..the Normans entered North Wales.
0:07:05 > 0:07:11- Gruffudd resisted the Normans - who had built the original castle.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- The castle was in the possession - of Gwenllian's father...
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- ..when she was raised in Gwynedd - at the end of the 11th century.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Is it likely that she came here?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- Is it likely that she came here?- - It's possible but we don't know.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Gruffudd had taken possession - of the castle...
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- ..so it's possible she came here.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- She wouldn't have lived here as it - was a fortress as opposed to a home.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- Gwenllian's home of Aberffraw Court - is long gone...
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- ..but there are remains of another - royal court nearby.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- Llys Rhosyr was one of the royal - courts of Llywelyn the Great...
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- ..the prince of Gwynedd - during the 13th century.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Would Aberffraw Court - have looked liked this site?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Yes, it would have been - very similar to this.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- We have the foundations - of the hall.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- It was one of the main buildings - in Medieval times.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- The hall was an important part - of the court.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- There are other remains - as well as the exterior wall.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- What's the connection - between these ruins and Gwenllian?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- This was a Medieval court.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- Very little had changed in - the design since the 5th century.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- The buildings were similar - but the architecture had changed.
0:08:41 > 0:08:47- The hall was the focal point - of social life.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- This was where you met the lord - and where people dined.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56- The hall had a table - at one end of the building.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- The remaining folk sat and faced - the dais or raised platform...
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- ..that housed the lord - and his dignitaries.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- That is the nature of the hierarchy.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Gwenllian was a public figure.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- Yes, she was a public figure.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- Our Royal Family could empathize - with this Medieval way of life.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- Would Gwenllian have spent - all her time in Aberffraw?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- In Medieval times, the royals - didn't have a set location.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- They were itinerants so moved - from one court to the next.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Despite the royal privileges - granted to Gwenllian...
0:09:38 > 0:09:44- ..she lived in an unsettled - and critical time in Welsh history.
0:09:44 > 0:09:50- Wales had been shared between - a number of Welsh kings and princes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- They faced Norman lords who wanted - to conquer parts of the country.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- Soon after the Battle of Hastings...
0:09:59 > 0:10:04- ..it looked as if Gwynedd would fall - into the hands of the Normans...
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- ..but Gruffudd ap Cynan - overcame much opposition...
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- ..to establish himself - as King of Gwynedd.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- As part of the campaign - to affirm his role...
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- ..Gruffudd married - Gwenllian's mother, Angharad.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- She was from the royal family - in the Vale of Clwyd.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- This would help his influence - in North-East Wales.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- Angharad, Gwenllian's mother, - was a figure of great importance.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Just like her husband...
0:10:36 > 0:10:41- ..her royal lineage stemmed - back to Hywel Dda.
0:10:41 > 0:10:47- Historia Gruffud vab Kenan contains - a detailed description of Angharad.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- She was wise, noble, modest, - fair-haired with eyes blue...
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- ..and a hawk-like body.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- Each single part of a body - suited her as fittingly as possible.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- The biography was found - in Bangor Cathedral...
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- ..Gruffudd's final resting place.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- It contains a description - of Gruffudd.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- He was a man of moderate stature...
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- ..with fair hair, a clever head, - a round face of good colour.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- He was polished in his education and - outstanding at foreign languages.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- The descriptions of Gruffudd - and Angharad...
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- ..strongly indicate - that Gwenllian had fair hair.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29- But we'll never know for certain.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- No attire has survived - from the period...
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- ..so all we can do is speculate.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- Gwenllian's clothing would have - reflected her status as a princess.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47- It would have been graceful - with a cloak and a circular brooch.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- The brooch - would keep the cloak in place.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- She would also have worn - a head-dress.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- It would have been simple - and made of linen.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- On the whole, her outfit - would have been very modest.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- We suspect that their outward - appearance wasn't overly important.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- Why do you say that?
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- No jewellery or other collections - from Wales...
0:12:17 > 0:12:19- ..have survived the period...
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- ..which could suggest that material - objects meant nothing to them.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- Land and privileges were - more important during this period.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- Very few documents exist...
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- ..about a woman's role in politics - at that time.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- But Huw Pryce believes that - Gwenllian played her part.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51- She was someone who could marry - into another royal family.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- She married another Gruffudd...
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- ..namely Gruffydd ap Rhys - from Deheubarth.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02- Marrying him was a way of uniting - two families in West Wales...
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- ..at a critical time.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- It was part of her value.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- This does not mean - that she was a marital pawn...
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- ..but we can't say for certain.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- Gwenllian's background - and experience in battle...
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- ..helped her to advise her husband - in political matters.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Marrying Gruffydd ap Rhys - from Deheubarth...
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- ..meant travelling 200 miles - to a new home in Dinefwr.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- She never returned to Gwynedd.
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0:13:46 > 0:13:46- Subtitles
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- At the start of the 12th century...
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- ..Princess Gwenllian left Anglesey - for Deheubarth to get married.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09- Dinefwr Castle, on the outskirts - of Llandeilo would be her new home.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- This was the main court - of her husband, Gruffydd ap Rhys.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Gruffydd was the son - of Rhys ap Tewdwr and Gwladys...
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- ..and brother to Princess Nest.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27- The marriage united the royal - kingdoms of Gwynedd and Deheubarth.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- Dinefwr Castle was - the principal court in the south.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39- What do we know about life - in a castle at the time?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- I suspect that - the vast majority of castles...
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- ..were strongholds - that housed soldiers.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54- You could argue that they were homes - but the courts were on flat plains.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- From the castle, you could see all - around and spot an enemy from afar.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- They were fortresses.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- And symbols of power.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- And symbols of power.- - Yes, they were very important.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- Castles feature - in all our documents...
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- ..as powerful focal points - and as a symbol of power.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- The act of building a castle...
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- ..meant that you were - leaving your mark on the landscape.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- Following the death of Henry I - and a period of chaos in England...
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- ..with a succession crisis between - King Stephen and Empress Matilda...
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- ..Wales saw an opportunity to chase - the Normans out of the country.
0:15:39 > 0:15:45- Gruffydd ap Rhys went to Gwynedd - to ask his father-in-law for help...
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- ..leaving Gwenllian in the south.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56- During Gruffydd's absence, the - Norman lord, Maurice de Londres...
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- ..led retaliatory raids - against the Welsh of the South.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- Gwenllian was forced to raise - an army against them in Kidwelly.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- Do you think that is plausible?
0:16:10 > 0:16:16- Yes, because queens did lead armies - during the 12th century.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- Matilda led armies against Stephen - in the English Civil War...
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- ..which was a time of pure chaos - and anarchy.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- They didn't necessarily - fight in the battles...
0:16:28 > 0:16:32- ..but had experience - of riding horses and using weapons.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- It's impossible - to know for certain...
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- ..but I have no reason - to doubt the story.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- With the Norman ships approaching...
0:16:42 > 0:16:47- ..Gwenllian was alone with - her young sons, Morgan and Maelgwn.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- She decided to raise an army.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- She sent half of them - to the coast...
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- ..and hid the rest in the forest - around Kidwelly Castle.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- But she was betrayed.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- The Normans learnt of the - whereabouts of the hidden army...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- ..and ruthlessly attacked them.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- When faced with a Norman attack...
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- ..Gwenllian didn't instinctively - send her army to war...
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- ..but stood with her men - on the battlefield.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- Morgan was killed - and Maelgwn was captured.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- Gwenllian was also captured - and executed.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- According to Gerald of Wales...
0:18:07 > 0:18:11- ..Gwenllian was executed - on the battleground.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- This is interesting in itself...
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- ..as women were often - taken as prisoners...
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- ..as opposed to being executed - on the spot.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- But Gerald is a complex character.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30- He had both Norman and Welsh blood - running through his veins...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- ..so where did he stand?
0:18:33 > 0:18:38- Did he want to portray the Normans - as savage people...
0:18:39 > 0:18:45- ..who broke the Code of Chivalry - by executing Gwenllian?
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Is there an element - of truth in the history?
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- We can only speculate - but it is possible.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00- Regardless of the facts...
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- ..the story has always captured - the imagination of the Welsh.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- The shortage of facts - is also a talking point.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- Hello, Sean.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- Hello, Sean.- - Hello, please come in.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- We only have the one source, - Gerald of Wales...
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- ..and he's an unreliable source.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- It's not backed up anywhere else.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- He had close family connections - with the Normans...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- ..who were involved - in this massacre.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- He writes about the pen - quivering in his hand...
0:19:30 > 0:19:35- ..when he thinks of the atrocities - committed by his relatives.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- It sounds to me - as if he's justifying...
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- ..or glossing over - what is an atrocity of war.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- There's also - the political situation.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51- Gwenllian's husband was in North - Wales to gather military support.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- He would have been with his - military household, his Teulu.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00- It wouldn't make sense for her to - fight. She should have been hiding.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Is there any evidence - it didn't happen this way?
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- It might have happened but she - wasn't an effective military leader.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- I would go back - to the credibility of it.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Why would she lead an army - in that fashion?
0:20:18 > 0:20:24- Kidwelly is the one place in Wales - that has truly embraced Gwenllian.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34- Gwenllian is highly respected - and her name is all over the place.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- There's a housing estate near - the castle called Llys Gwenllian...
0:20:39 > 0:20:44- ..Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian - and the Princess Gwenllian Centre.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49- Mynydd y Garreg's rugby team - plays at Parc Gwenllian.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- There are farms called - Maes Gwenllian and Fferm Gwenllian.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- The name lives on - and it always will.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Do you believe the story?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Do you believe the story?- - Yes, I believe every word of it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- What about the local people?
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- The people of the area - want to believe the story.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Some know very little about it...
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- ..whilst others know it very well.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- Some people will say - "wasn't she a warrior princess?"
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- She's a heroine in the area.
0:21:26 > 0:21:32- The military battle failed but - Gwenllian's act inspired the Welsh.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- The battle continued.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41- Gwenllian's son, Lord Rhys became - a powerful leader in Deheubarth...
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- ..whilst his brother, Owain - ruled in Gwynedd.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- The princesses were more influential - than the sources claim.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- We have to remember that most of - the sources were written by men...
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- ..and churchmen who usually - lacked any respect for women.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- It's a story - that people like to identify with.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- It's the story - of a romantic princess...
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- ..her heroic following - and the evil Normans fighting her.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29- It's a story that suited us to be - able to tell as a conquered nation.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- I think - she's a very interesting character.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- From the little information - that we know about her...
0:22:43 > 0:22:49- ..she has showed us - that women can lead an army.
0:22:49 > 0:22:55- This act was contradictory - to the expectations of the day.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Gwenllian lost her battle - in Kidwelly.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- But from the moment - she lost her life...
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- ..Wales saw her as a symbol - for rebellion and nationalism...
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- ..which continues to this day.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- S4C Subtitles by Tinopolis
0:24:06 > 0:24:06- .