
The Story of Wales: Power Struggles
Following last night’s showing of the first episode of “The Story of Wales”, the second episode will be shown tonight on BBC2 at 7 pm. Episode 2, “Power Struggles”, discusses early medieval Wales and covers such interesting subjects as the building of Offa’s Dyke in the middle of the eighth century by the King of Mercia, and the Welsh Kingdom of Brycheiniog in the tenth century. It also looks at the laws of Hywel Dda and medieval marriage, as well as Rhys ap Gruffydd, Justiciar of South Wales and the first ever Eisteddfod at his castle in Cardigan.
Links to sites featured in episode 2:
The Royal Commission’s centenary publication, Hidden Histories, which is also available in Welsh as Trysorau Cudd includes an interesting section on “Early Medieval Wales”, as well as an authoritive discussion on “The Middle Ages” by the Royal Commission’s former Chairman, Professor Ralph Griffiths. Viewers interested in the medieval landscape may also be interested in the Royal Commission’s Uplands publications series which includes The Western Brecon Beacons: The Archaeology of Mynydd Du and Fforest Fawr, and Mynydd Hiraethog: The Denbigh Moors. Copies of all our publications are available through our bookshop with a special 10% discount to Friends. For further information, please visit the Royal Commission’s website or telephone 01970 621200.
03/10/2012