0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:22 > 0:00:26- "In Egypt, two British hostages - have been released.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31- "They were driving - from Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh..."
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- We've grown accustomed to reports...
0:00:37 > 0:00:42- ..of countries in turmoil - or in the grips of a civil war...
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- ..where anarchy - and lawlessness is rife.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Only a fool would travel...
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- ..to Columbia, Somalia - and Afghanistan nowadays.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- But 500 years ago...
0:00:55 > 0:00:59- ..parts of Wales were just as bad, - if not worse.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05- People who travelled through Wales - in the 15th and 16th century...
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- ..diced with death - in certain parts of the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18- Because unsavoury characters - were lurking in the shadows.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22- Not only - is there documented evidence...
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- ..but bards like Lewys Glyn Cothi - and Guto'r Glyn...
0:01:27 > 0:01:29- ..often referred to the problem.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31- OUTLAWS
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- They used all sorts - of names to describe them.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- BANDITS, BRIGANDS, - RAIDERS, PILLAGERS
0:01:38 > 0:01:43- Whatever they were called, - these men lived outside the law.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- They stole, kidnapped and murdered.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- Why the anarchy?
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- A side-effect of - the English conquest of 1282...
0:01:58 > 0:02:04- ..worsened an already ineffective - and complex governing system.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- With no binding legal system...
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- ..The Marches - was a treacherous area of Wales.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15- There were around 45 dominions...
0:02:15 > 0:02:19- ..ruled by Norman barons - and Welsh lords.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- One was the influential - and powerful Sir William Herbert...
0:02:25 > 0:02:26- ..Earl of Pembroke.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36- Herbert inherited his lands, - and he, and other lords...
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- ..would plunder - each other's lands...
0:02:39 > 0:02:44- ..to expand and protect - their own interests.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- Every lord used soldiers...
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- ..a personal army of brigands - who were on the run from law.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- They used - the time-honoured tradition...
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- ..of crossing borders...
0:02:58 > 0:03:03- ..allieging themselves to a lord - to escape the clutches of the law.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10- It was the lord's duty to maintain - law and order in his own lands.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13- And Herbert's lands - were substantial.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24- Bards extolled - his importance and influence.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29- The poets travelled - from sponsor to sponsor...
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- ..thus traversing problem areas.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- Their work displays consternation - at the situation in Wales.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- There's evidence that Lewys - Glyn Cothi went to see Herbert...
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- ..to beg him - to restore order in Wales.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- Lewys's poetry, - and Guto'r Glyn after him...
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- ..are full of admiration - of those who punished the outlaws.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- "He tames - the wild men of the forests
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- "There's no escape for thieves."
0:04:07 > 0:04:09- "Your long arm seizes bandits
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- "You are Edward's leopard."
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- The insightful poems portray - a key period in Welsh history...
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- ..a period in which a significant - political shift took place.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- During the Glyndwr Revolt, - poets praised the outlaws...
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- ..for pillaging English lands - to steal food and war supplies.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38- But the ensuing anarchy - prompted a change of heart.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43- Guto'r Glyn wrote a poem - to the King of England.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48- "Woe is us, - living in fear of thieves
0:04:49 > 0:04:50- "Devise a law
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- "Come, Edward, - to restrain the dishonest
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- "Cut the heads and throats of men
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- "Punish outlaws
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- "Bring about their downfall
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- "And catch the wrongdoers."
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- What would - Owain Glyndwr make of that?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- And come to think of it, - where was Owain?
0:05:31 > 0:05:32- Who knows?
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Perhaps Owain Glyndwr ended his days - leading a gang of outlaws...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- ..living in the forest - or the hills...
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- ..the Berwyn Range, perhaps.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- Whatever happened to him...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- ..it was a time - when it was easy to disappear.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- While the lordships - were dangerous places...
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- ..there were more dangerous areas.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16- The bordering lands were - beyond the reach of the law.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- No-man's land, to all purposes.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- One of the most dangerous - and troublesome bordering lands...
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- ..was Bwlch yr Oerddrws...
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- ..between Merionethshire - and the Mawddwy lordship.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- This place and the nearby Berwyn - Range were notorious for outlaws...
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- ..and the frequent, - bloody skirmishes...
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- ..between the outlaws - of Meirion and Mawddwy.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- I've come to a local pub...
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- ..to meet Professor Rhun Emlyn - from Aberystwyth University.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08- Rhun has researched the history - of these local skirmishes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- It's warmer here - than Bwlch yr Oerddrws.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- I know why - it's called Cold Door Pass!
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- It was the stronghold - of the outlaws.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- They must have been hard men!
0:07:20 > 0:07:21- They must have been hard men!- - Yes!
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- It was an area - associated with outlaws.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Wales was seen as an unruly country.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- This place was as bad as it got.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- It stands on the crossroads - between Dolgellau and Gwynedd...
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- ..and Powys, - Welshpool and Shrewsbury
0:07:39 > 0:07:44- This important route was - the highwaymen's hunting ground.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- It bordered - both the King's land...
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- ..and the lords' lands.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Merioneth belonged to the Crown.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- Powys was the land of Lord Powys.
0:07:58 > 0:08:04- Wanted men crossed borders - to escape the law.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08- How did the Crown attempt - to settle the problem?
0:08:08 > 0:08:14- There was a Welsh practice - of meeting up to settle disputes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19- The Crown would set a date - for the two sides to meet.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Love days.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25- That's right, and that's why - it's such an important area.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- Merioneth, the Crown's land, - on the one side...
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- ..and the Powys and Mawddwy lords - on the other.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- They met in the middle - to settle their differences.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42- So these borderlands were places - where such disputes were settled.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49- Merioneth folk were forced to pay - for property stolen from Mawddwy.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50- Yes.
0:08:51 > 0:08:56- I heard it took seven years for - the local Sheriff to collect taxes?
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- That demonstrates - the extent of the thieving.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- The name of one band of outlaws - survives to this day.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- This was their territory - - Mawddwy.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- The story of how the Red Bandits - of Mawddwy murdered Baron Owen...
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- ..is already well documented.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- But a little known fact is that - these bandits were simple farmers.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- They were hung for the offence.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34- Highwaymen usually sought sanctuary - in forests or the mountains.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- Perhaps this proves to us...
0:09:37 > 0:09:43- ..that a social injustice - turned them into outlaws.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Merioneth farmers, - as in every part of Wales...
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- ..sent their animals to markets - over the border in England.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- Many routes existed - - and these were the busiest.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03- They all led to places - like Smithfield in London.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- These drovers' roads - were targeted by the outlaws.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- Livestock, especially cattle, - were precious commodities...
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- ..and provided easy pickings!
0:10:23 > 0:10:29- Many of the drovers' roads - led to the market town of Ludlow.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- It was a bustling market town - during the Middle Ages...
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- ..and not only because of livestock.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- Ludlow was a major centre - for the wool and cloth industry.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- The 200 or so medieval buildings - that still stand...
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- ..are testament to the town's - prosperity at the time.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- They include the Feathers Hotel.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- A Welshman built it - - a successful one at that.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08- Rhys Jones or Rees Jones - as he was known in Ludlow.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- He wasn't a merchant, but a lawyer.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- Look at the lock.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- It was made for him.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- We clearly see his initials...
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- ..as well as his wife's.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- This lock shows he was a man - of considerable wealth and status.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Later, I'll show you - where Rhys Jones worked.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41- I'll travel to the Conwy Valley - to learn about an outlaw and poet.
0:11:42 > 0:11:42- .
0:11:47 > 0:11:47- Subtitles
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:52 > 0:11:57- I'm on the trail - of medieval outlaws.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01- My travels through the lawless - hotspots of medieval Wales...
0:12:01 > 0:12:04- ..has brought me to Ludlow.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09- The prosperous market town - traded with Wales.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- The relationship between Wales - and Ludlow involved more than trade.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- To all purposes, Ludlow was - the capital of medieval Wales...
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- ..responsible for its administration - and for upholding law and order.
0:12:29 > 0:12:35- In 1473, Edward IV set up the - Council of Wales and the Marches.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40- Its powers were significantly - increased in 1542 by Henry VIII.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- The Council met in Ludlow Castle...
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- ..under the uncompromising - leadership of Bishop Rowland Lee.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- How are you?
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- Historian Arfon Rees has written - a book about Welsh outlaws.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- It's regarded - as a bible on the subject.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Ludlow Castle - is a tourist attraction nowadays.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- But you wouldn't have found - tourists here 500 years ago!
0:13:11 > 0:13:12- No.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- Early civil servants more likely!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Early civil servants more likely!- - Officials, judges, lawyers met here.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- It was an important place.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- This is where Wales - was rearranged...
0:13:25 > 0:13:30- ..by Henry VIII's prime minister, - Thomas Cromwell.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- We associate Ludlow - with Rowland Lee.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- But what happened here was part - of a more ambitious project...
0:13:41 > 0:13:45- ..to rearrange - how Wales was governed.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- It was part of a plan - to drag Wales...
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- ..from the Middle Ages - into the modern age.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- We see the birth of the idea - of a centralized state...
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- ..and an uniform law developing.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01- Yes.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07- It's too easy to romanticize about - Welsh History in the Middle Ages.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11- There's an aspect that's very dark.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- It was a lawless society.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- There was strong objection - within Wales itself.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- Powerful Ludlow lawyers, - like our friend Rhys Jones...
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- ..were often here - as part of their job...
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- ..to plead the English cause - against the unruly Welsh.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- They met in this room.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- What would they discuss?
0:14:42 > 0:14:44- The key issue...
0:14:45 > 0:14:50- ..was the problem between Wales - and the English border counties...
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- ..the looting - by the Welsh into these counties.
0:14:55 > 0:15:01- They rustled cattle, especially - during the autumn and winter.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- This is when - the problem intensified.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10- The English farmers herded their - cattle to safety at the day's end.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- The Sheriff - of the English counties...
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- ..had the right to summon - a Posse Comitatus...
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- ..to apprehend The Marches looters.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Very interesting.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- Let's go to the tower to see - where the cattle was heading.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- We can't visit Ludlow Castle...
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- ..without referring - to Bishop Rowland Lee.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- He was a very painful thorn - in the outlaws' side.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Bishop Rowland Lee - liked to hang people.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56- Lee despised the Welsh - with a racist hatred.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- But we need to look at the events - of this period.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- There was a shift - in the Welsh mindset.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- If we consider what - Sir John Wynn of Gwydir said...
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- ..a mere 50 years after - these changes were enforced...
0:16:16 > 0:16:21- .."If our forefathers - returned to Wales today...
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- "..they wouldn't recognize - the country nor its people."
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- That's how much had changed.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- Let's travel back from the - Elizabethan Age to the 15th century.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- A century where the outlaws - were at their most lethal.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- A large part of Wales - was a lawless cesspit.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- We may as well admit it...
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- ..it's more interesting - than a period of servile peace.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- The Order of the Knights - of St John...
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- ..established Ysbyty Ifan - during the 12th century...
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- ..as a sanctuary - for Bardsey Island pilgrims.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- By the 15th century, - and for years after that...
0:17:12 > 0:17:17- ..the village was a safe haven - for outlaws and thieves on the run.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- They took advantage of the religious - site to protect them from the law.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28- They found safety in this church, - that has since been renovated.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- This is Conwy River.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- But over there, - there's another river, Caletwr.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48- Apparently, if you were being - pursued by the authorities...
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- ..a jump across and you were safe!
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- Whilst Guto'r Glyn and - Lewys Glyn Cothi switched sides...
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- ..many of the poets praised - the thieves for their deeds.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- The poet Llywelyn ab y Moel and - his father fought alongside Glyndwr.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15- After the war, he chose an outlaw's - life rather than receive a pardon.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- He referred to stealing - from the English in many poems.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- "We'll go to a place - where we won't be traced
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- "To the south
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- "And there - we'll revel in our spoils."
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- Llywelyn was in Welshpool - or Oswestry when he wrote that poem.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- Another outlaw poet lived nearby.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Dafydd ap Siencyn - was raised in Aberconwy.
0:18:52 > 0:18:58- His stronghold was Carreg y Gwalch, - a steep hill south of Llanrwst.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- A familiar face is an expert - on the man, Lyn Ebenezer.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Carreg y Gwalch - was a formidable stronghold.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14- If it wasn't associated - with Dafydd ap Siencyn...
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- ..someone would - have weaved a legend around it.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22- Tell me about him, Lyn.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- He had about 160 close followers...
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- ..and around 800 supporters.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- His father - was a descendant of Prince Marchydd.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- His mother - was Rhys Gethin's daughter.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- Rhys was Owain Glyndwr's - right hand man.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42- Of course.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44- Of course.- - He had pedigree!
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- Did the civil war - turn him into an outlaw?
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- They had been soldiers, - and now they had nothing to do.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- Then the War of the Roses broke out - and they had to choose sides.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- Most around this area supported - York, but not Dafydd ap Siencyn.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10- It showed his rebellious side, - wanting to be different.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- People say Robin Hood - was based on him.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- They lived - in the forest and wore green.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- There's an uncanny similarity - between the two stories.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- Less than a mile from Carreg - y Gwalch, in St Grwst Church...
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- ..there's a relic that's associated - with Dafydd's history.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- There's something - quite special in here.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- In the safe?
0:20:43 > 0:20:44- Yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- What have we got here?
0:20:49 > 0:20:50- It's priceless.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51- It's priceless.- - Spur.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Dafydd ap Siencyn's spur. - There were two originally.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- They were found in the rafters - of Capel Gwydir next door.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- This has spurred on many a horse.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- This has spurred on many a horse.- - And several stories.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08- I wouldn't be surprised!
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- I wouldn't be surprised!- - We'd better put it back.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- Safe in the safe!
0:21:20 > 0:21:22- Here we are.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26- It's the Wynns of Gwydir's - private chapel.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- This is Llywelyn the Great's coffin.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- He was one of Dafydd ap Siencyn's - forefathers.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- Hywel Coetmor was his uncle, - Rhys Gethin's brother.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- It's his descendants' chapel.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- It's his descendants' chapel.- - The spurs were found in the rafters.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44- High, wasn't it?!
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- High, wasn't it?!- - Very high!
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- What happened to Dafydd?
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- He was pardoned in 1468.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- He became - the Constable of Conwy Castle.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02- He climbed quite high up the ladder!
0:22:02 > 0:22:05- But he didn't inherit the office.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- He killed his predecessor!
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- A drastic but simple solution!
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- Little is known about his death.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- The story insists - that he died after a fight.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- On his deathbed, - he composed two verses.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- According to historians...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- ..he only ever composed - three verses!
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Two on his deathbed!
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- A hero to the end.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- Good luck to him.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- It's hard to imagine Wales - as a cesspit of lawlessness.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- But we have to remember...
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- ..this is a period when - the idea of a centralized state...
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- ..and an uniform legal system - was only just beginning.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- We must also remember - this is after the Glyndwr Revolt.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16- Many of his followers - had no choice but to be outlaws.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22- The Welsh suffered - a series of laws...
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- ..apartheid laws to all purposes...
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- ..which were forced on them - by a series of kings.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34- After all, what would you do - if your family was torn apart...
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- ..by racist and oppressive laws?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- I know what I would do.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- S4C Subtitles by Gwead