0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:07 > 0:00:12- At his home in Morriston, Alan Llwyd - is completing a revealing biography.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17- It uncovers the secret - of a prominent 20th century author.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23- This is the first biography about - the life and work of Kate Roberts.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- It boldly reveals key facts - about the queen of Welsh literature.
0:00:29 > 0:00:35- The biography reveals something - about Kate that nobody else knows.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- However, it is something - that Kate herself yearned to reveal.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- Her frustrations as a person - and as an artist...
0:00:44 > 0:00:49- ..stem to her inability - to reveal this one basic fact.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11- In August 1926, - Kate Roberts was making her way...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..to the Plaid Cymru summer school - in Machynlleth.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22- A young man called Morris Williams - was waiting on the same platform.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- Kate was 37 years old and unmarried.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30- Morris was ten years her junior...
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- ..and had been in a relationship - with the poet Prosser Rhys.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- This meeting led to a marriage...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- ..that has perplexed many people - over the years.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48- In this programme, - Alan Llwyd offers a new theory...
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- ..about Morris and Kate's - relationship.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- We also learn of a secret that Kate - took with her to her grave.
0:02:02 > 0:02:09- I was stunned by the many homosexual - elements within her stories.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13- They are blatantly homosexual.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- The more I read, the more I realized - that she was hiding something...
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- ..and yet revealing something - at the same time.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- I wanted to know about the nature - of their relationship...
0:02:26 > 0:02:32- ..because it certainly wasn't - a traditional marriage.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- I knew that there was more to it.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43- It was on this train journey - that they first became acquainted.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47- Both had an interest - in literature and nationalism...
0:02:47 > 0:02:50- ..but there was another attraction.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56- Alan Llwyd was determined to get - to the root of their relationship...
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- ..and reveal the truth, - once and for all.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- People have interpreted the marriage - from Morris's perspective only.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- Nobody has considered - Kate's feelings.
0:03:07 > 0:03:14- It was clear that he married her - to hide his true sexuality.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- What has been a mystery - is why Kate married Morris.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- How did Kate come to terms - with the fact that Morris was gay?
0:03:26 > 0:03:30- A biographer's work - is often exact and painstaking.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Wading through archives, talking - to experts, family and friends...
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- ..in the hope of discovering new - evidence that offers a new theory.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- For Alan Llwyd, - this process was phenomenal...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- ..and yes, - he did discover new evidence.
0:03:48 > 0:03:54- It is groundbreaking evidence - that Alan says will necessitate...
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- ..a complete reinterpretation - of Kate's work.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- A biography is a huge undertaking - and a journey, in a way.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- It takes you from cradle to grave - via endless twists and turns.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21- Kate had a varied life - and lived in several places.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- As a result, there's material - about her in libraries across Wales.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31- The National Library has 8,000 items - in the Kate Roberts collection.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- The evidence is all over Wales, - so it's been quite arduous.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- Among all these items, - he made an important discovery.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- One letter changed everything.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- This was the confirmation - that he had been looking for.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- One day, I found some evidence - that almost made me leap to my feet.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- It was incredible - and gave me quite a shock.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03- The letter was written two months - after Kate and Morris first met.
0:05:03 > 0:05:09- It is addressed "Dear Mr Williams", - but its content is more personal.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- "26 October 1926.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- "Something odd happened a week ago.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- "I was speaking in Pontardawe.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- "I was staying - with a butcher and his wife.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30- "She was one of the prettiest women - I have ever seen.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- "She was quite tall, - not too fat, not too thin.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- "Her chestnut hair - was slightly wavy.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- "Her skin was like alabaster...
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- "..and she had the prettiest neck - I have ever seen.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- "Her eyes were not too beautiful - but were kind.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- "The following morning, - their son took me to Neath by car.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- "We left at 7.15am and it was cold.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- "She insisted that I sat - on a cushion from the house.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11- "She placed a blanket over my feet - and another around my body...
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- "..and she gave me - a long kiss on my lips.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- "Nothing has given me more pleasure.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- "If I ever write my memoirs, - this event will be in them."
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- When I first saw the letter...
0:06:34 > 0:06:40- ..I thought this was the evidence - that I had been hoping to find.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- I'm convinced that Kate - planted this letter for us to find.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50- Kate yearned to share this secret - during her own lifetime.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- However, it was an intolerant age.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- People viewed the love - between persons of the same sex...
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- ..as detestable and disgusting.
0:07:02 > 0:07:08- It's amazing that Kate and Morris - trusted each other from the start...
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- ..because they shared - a similar secret.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Morris T Williams - was from Groeslon, near Caernarfon.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- While working on Yr Herald Cymraeg - newspaper in Caernarfon...
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- ..he formed a relationship with - deputy editor Edward Prosser Rhys.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- In 1924, Prosser Rhys - won the National Crown...
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- ..at the Pontypool Eisteddfod - with his controversial poem Atgof.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Atgof speaks - about various forms of love.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- The physical and mental love - between a man and a woman...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- ..as well as the love - between two men.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- "Our tight bond! - Fair-haired gracious youth
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- "You know all - that passed between us
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- "All the honest trust
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- "The prodigal yet pure intentions - at the water's edge."
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- Everyone knew immediately - that Prosser Rhys's lover...
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- ..was Morris Williams - from Cilgwyn, Caernarfon.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- "We slept... and sometime, - while half asleep
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- "Found ourselves in a tight embrace.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- "Sex oppressed us, we enjoyed it
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- "A sudden ceasing by the lake."
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Do you think Kate knew that Morris - was gay when they met on the train?
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- I don't think Kate knew a lot - about Morris when they first met.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- However, I'm convinced that Morris - had told Kate at the very start...
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- ..about his relationship - with Prosser Rhys.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- Morris and Prosser Rhys - opened up a new world to Kate.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- If these men could do it, - so could she.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09- Is there evidence of a relationship - between Kate and another woman?
0:09:09 > 0:09:14- There's no evidence that Kate - had a relationship with a woman...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- ..but that wouldn't - have been recorded anyway.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- We know that Kate was great friends - with a number of women.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- She met Luned Morgan - at Ystalyfera...
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- ..when she was a young teacher - between 1915 and 1917.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36- Years later, she still remembered - her face and physical attributes.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- She noticed these things.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- Luned Morgan didn't know Kate - and Kate wasn't well-known then...
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- ..but she invited Kate - to stay with her in Cardiff.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- Kate has this tendency to lean more - towards women from the very start.
0:10:00 > 0:10:06- I don't think that kiss was Kate's - only sexual experience with a woman.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Kate recorded this event.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- She did so to let Morris know...
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- ..because she knew - that Morris would understand.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22- It's possible that she had another - relationship, but we don't know.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- It wasn't the kind of thing - that she would reveal to everyone.
0:10:27 > 0:10:32- She was willing to say it - in her stories and to tell Morris.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- But we must put it into the context - of the age in which she lived.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- At that time, lesbian relationships - weren't recognized.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- For such an honest person as Kate...
0:10:46 > 0:10:51- ..having to hide her true self - would have been quite a burden.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- If Kate Roberts - was a young woman today...
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- ..she would have expressed - the nature of her sexuality.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- I'm convinced that Kate Roberts - wanted us to know.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- She has tried to tell us - via her works.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- A biographer - must remain true to the research.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- If I don't say it, - then someone else will!
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- I hold no prejudices - about a person's sexuality...
0:11:21 > 0:11:27- ..and can't find anything wrong - with such a relationship.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- But it's important - for me to mention it...
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- ..when we interpret - the work of Kate Roberts.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- Her work has been interpreted - from a feminist perspective...
0:11:39 > 0:11:43- ..but not from this perspective, - and this is far more important.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- She only revealed - her secret to Morris...
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- ..but it gave her the confidence - to express her feelings in her work.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Kate turns her life into literature.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- She admits that her best theme - for her novels is her own life.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06- In some of her stories, - such as Y Trysor...
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- ..she mentions a close relationship - between two women.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- A deep and meaningful relationship - develops between two women.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23- One dies and the lady left behind - speaks of her tremendous grief.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29- We know full well that they shared - a deep relationship.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- When a minister tries to console her - about the loss of her friend...
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- ..she tells herself - that he knows nothing...
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- ..about the passionate love - that will remain in her heart.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Alan claims that Kate wrote...
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- ..the first published - Welsh language lesbian story.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- She wrote it - when she was a teacher in Aberdare.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- It's a story about the love - between two female teachers.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- The young teacher has to choose - between a man and an older woman.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- It's a story about faithfulness, - but faithfulness to whom?
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- It's the story of Kate, - Morris and Prosser.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- The teacher chooses the man, - just as Kate chose Morris.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- It's as simple as that.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25- By the end of 1927, Kate and Morris - had decided to marry.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- Among the very few who knew - their intention was Saunders Lewis.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- She wrote to him and mentioned - the proposed wedding and her doubts.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- In the letter, she states that she - and Morris discussed every aspect.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Should they marry or just cohabit?
0:13:48 > 0:13:54- She analyses the marriage - as if it's a business arrangement.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- She speaks of the advantages - and disadvantages...
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- ..and asks about the purpose - of the marriage.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09- People usually marry and resolve - to face troubles as they come along.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- These two were facing troubles - even before tying the knot.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- On 23 December 1928...
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- ..Kate and Morris married - at Llantwit Major church.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- "Giver of all spiritual grace, - the Author of everlasting life..."
0:14:26 > 0:14:32- No friends or relatives - were invited to the wedding.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- "..this man and this woman..."
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- They wanted a low-key wedding.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- They were cautious - because it was a risky marriage.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- Neither of them knew - how the future would pan out.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- They took a risk, knowing - that it would be a stormy marriage.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- We know that Kate and Morris - knew about each other's sexuality.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09- "Those whom God hath joined - together let no man put asunder."
0:15:10 > 0:15:16- But Alan has learnt that this - was a far from perfect marriage.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- Morris hid some things from Kate.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- There was an element of secrecy - in their relationship.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Morris was also an alcoholic.
0:15:32 > 0:15:32- .
0:15:36 > 0:15:36- Subtitles
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Over the past year, - Alan Llwyd has been preparing...
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- ..an extensive biography - of Kate Roberts.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58- He has discovered some new evidence, - but believes there's more to reveal.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- I knew that Kate - kept a diary in 1946...
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- ..because she mentioned it - in a letter to DJ Williams.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11- I knew that the diary - wasn't in the National Library...
0:16:11 > 0:16:16- ..so it was either lost, - or Kate herself had destroyed it.
0:16:17 > 0:16:23- During a visit to Kate's family, - Alan made an unexpected discovery.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29- The diary did exist, and nobody - outside her family had ever read it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36- I couldn't believe it, - I really couldn't believe it.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- I was convinced - that this diary had been lost.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- It contains - some unbelievable information...
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- ..about her work, her thought - processes and many other things.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- It was manna from heaven - for a biographer.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58- Without this diary, there would be - a large gap in her story.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- Kate and Morris - were married for 18 years...
0:17:12 > 0:17:18- ..but in January 1946, he died - suddenly at their home in Denbigh.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- His death certificate clearly states - that he was an alcoholic.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- A few months later, - Kate started keeping a diary.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- "Wednesday night, 27 March 1946.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39- "Three months ago tonight, - Morris took his last walk.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- "We shared a bed - for the last time...
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- "..with little thought - of the future.
0:17:48 > 0:17:55- "Here I am, having experienced the - cruellest three months of my life."
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Much of the diary...
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- ..records Kate's efforts - to cope with her sudden bereavement.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- On 3 January 1946, - Morris fell ill.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16- On 6 January, Morris died - and on 9 January, he was buried.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22- It all happened within a week - and it was too much for her.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- "Saturday 30 March.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- "The grief is killing me.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- "This is the first Saturday - that I've been alone in three weeks.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- "At 3pm, I took some flowers - from the garden to put on his grave.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- "I did some shopping afterwards.
0:18:43 > 0:18:50- "A lady said I must feel better - in the fine weather.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56- "Her husband and children are alive, - so she can't understand."
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Her grief is prominent - in the diary...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- ..but Kate also reveals - the immense pain she feels...
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- ..as she faces the reality - of Morris's alcoholism and debts.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- There's no doubt that Morris - hid certain things from Kate.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- Kate discovered things in the office - at Gwasg Gee and in Morris's desk.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- "I feel disappointed today. Why do - I open any drawer in the office?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- "They only confirm my suspicions.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- "Why do I not write - about these things?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- "Am I being honest with myself - for not writing about them?"
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- She won't reveal the exact nature - of some discoveries...
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- ..but states that they are horrific.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- "In the same drawer, I found - other papers written by Morris.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58- "He should have opened his heart - to me and not to a piece of paper."
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- We don't know - what was on this piece of paper.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07- I could speculate that it was a debt - linked to his alcoholism.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- He owed money to a lot of people - when he died.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- There were elements of secrecy - in their relationship.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Morris was an alcoholic.
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- Following his death...
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- ..a letter that Kate - wasn't meant to see was found.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33- It was written a year - after their first meeting.
0:20:34 > 0:20:41- In August 1927, Morris wrote - quite a long letter to Prosser.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48- It was only to be opened - in the event of Morris's death.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54- In the letter, Morris unequivocally - expresses his love for Prosser.
0:20:54 > 0:21:00- He doesn't mention any love for Kate - and refers to her as Kate Roberts.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- He states that Kate Roberts - can live with her memories.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- I get the impression that Prosser - was his one true love...
0:21:09 > 0:21:15- ..and that Kate loved Morris - more than he loved her.
0:21:22 > 0:21:28- After a year of thorough research - and many amazing revelations...
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- ..Alan's book goes to press.
0:21:30 > 0:21:36- I'm amazed that nobody had written - a biography of Kate Roberts before.
0:21:36 > 0:21:42- She was without a doubt the greatest - Welsh woman of the 20th century.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- She deserves a biography - that she would wish for.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- An honest biography.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53- How certain are you - that Kate was bisexual?
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- I'm 100% certain - that Kate was bisexual.
0:21:58 > 0:22:04- The evidence is there for all to see - and in her own hand, not mine.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13- I think a biography of this kind - breaks the boundaries...
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- ..because there is previously - unknown evidence in this biography.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- I hope it's a starting point - for other biographies.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- There's scope to study the links - between her diaries and her work...
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- ..and between her relationship with - Morris, her letters and her work.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Have you done the right thing - in publishing this book?
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- I hope I've produced - a complete biography...
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- ..that interprets her work - and Kate as a person.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- It has been researched responsibly - and I can support all of my claims.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- I am full of admiration - for her truthfulness and honesty...
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- ..and I have been - just as truthful and honest as her.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- The blurb calls it - fearlessly honest.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- It has to be, - otherwise it's pointless.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- The book would be worthless - if I buried all the evidence.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- S4C subtitles by Tinopolis
0:23:40 > 0:23:40- .