In a special programme for St David's Day, Glyndwr: The Last Welsh Prince provided a rip-roaring yarn for those interested in learning more about their Welsh heritage. Brillantly told by Huw Edwards, the story of the rebellious prince included a few lesser-known facts about the man described as Wales' answer to Robin Hood and who set up a parliament in Machynlleth in 1404.
"Owain Glyndwr is a hero to every true Welshman," says Huw Edwards. "I've been wanting to tell his story to a big television audience for many years, and I really hope people enjoy the film. Glyndwr is a giant figure and his achievements 600 years ago were remarkable. There are details about his life which will surprise many people, too!
"I shall never forget standing on the great mound at Sycharth - the site of Glyndwr's main home - and surveying a view which has barely changed since his time. It was an inspired idea by BBC Wales to broadcast this film on St David's Day," says Huw.
Phil George of production company Green Bay which made the programme for BBC Wales says even die-hard Glyndwr historians may be pleasantly surpsised.
"It's an extraordinary story and even people who think they know it will be surprised by some of the detail. Glyndwr has remained a myth because he was never captured. There's a theory that he spent his final years in a castle on the borders - a theory that we also follow in the film."
Other BBC programmes featuring Mid Wales... Machynlleth mini site...
your comments
damian healey port talbot
Is the last welsh prince going show on the bbc this year can let me know many thanks damian healey
Wed Mar 18 09:35:51 2009
E. Williams, Flint
Can I obtain a copy Glyndwr: The Last Prince?
Tue Feb 17 12:02:34 2009
Daphne G Davies from Llandeilo
Thank you for all the programmes on Welsh History. Please can we have DVDs on sale or CDs. I am of the age that has difficulty keeping well informed about programmes but also of the age to say that there have been gaps in my knowledge of Welsh History.During my schooling Welsh History was not covered as a topic.Please find a way to make the information in its concise form available to us. Thank you.
Tue Jan 27 13:58:16 2009
Mike Roberts, Gwernymynydd
Just incase anyone is interested, we filmed in Gwydir castle near Llanrwst and Loggerheads country park near Mold. It was the best crew I've ever filmed with. I got the chance for a close up too as Henry Percy! All of us had a great time.
Mon Mar 17 10:37:26 2008
Al Williams last northern welsh stronghold
I am surrounded, English everywhere, Polish on their way what is a Welshman to do? only joking, but on a serious note I am very concerned about the state and strength of the Welsh language as it stands today. As a Welsh speaker (very thin on the ground in my area) I sometimes despair that if education in schools in Wales does not improve the language will most certainly disappear completely in twenty to thirty years time. My parents both Welsh speak a few words(pigeon Welsh I call it) and I suppose I was their last hope of carrying it on but with no one to converse with I'm on my own. Can one man change anything? My own children come home from our local c.p. and I ask them to translate english words into welsh and vice versa its like getting blood from a stone and a chore for them (both bright boys in their own right). Wales today is a multi cultural country with a lot to offer but is the language dead?...sometimes I wonder if we have just become one big tourist trap.
Tue Nov 6 08:57:29 2007
David Goadby, Sarn, North Wales
Fascinating series and quite humbling for an incoming Englishman. Like others on this list, when will the DVD series be available?
Sat Aug 18 13:37:25 2007
James Frankcom
Derek - my grandfather, James Edwin Frankcom (deceased) was born in Bristol in either 1907 or 1908. He left home at 14 and worked on the docks. He provided very little information on his family during his life except that he had a couple of brothers and I think his father's name was William.
Wed Jun 6 16:55:06 2007
derek frankcom toronto,canada
just wanted to know if i am related to james frankcom not sure if i am on the right website none the less i am curious to know if u could be so kind to return my request if possible that would be great!thank you kindly or if you could point me in the right direction much appreciated.
Wed Mar 14 17:08:51 2007
John Kilburn Bordon Hampshire
An interesting programme if somewhat unbalanced in perspective and unfortunately like many historical TV programmes did not let the facts get in the way of a visually appealing production
Mon Mar 5 10:47:20 2007
Dave Healey from Hope, Flintshire
Glyndwr is in the History National curriculum for KS3. I'm sure schools in Wales would welcome a DVD.
Wed Feb 14 09:31:52 2007
Merv Cannon. Brisbane
Historic reenactment and history is huge all around the world and still growing. Many of my friends and I would like to own a DVD of this great production ! Although we are in Australia, our recent local Medieval Fair attracted over 14,500 over one weekend ! Books and DVD material get sold out very quickly...check on Amazon !
Mon Dec 18 09:41:49 2006
Dan Hickey Abergavenny
Is Hugh Edwards programe the Welsh in London being showed in England i hope so,
so then the English can see that they need us and can not do with out the Welsh.
Tue Nov 28 14:34:41 2006
John goode
Everyone is asking the same question, no one is providing the answer.!! Where can we get a copy of this programe, please!
Thu Nov 23 13:50:36 2006
Bryant Jones from Boston
How can I order a copy on DVD?
Thu Aug 10 09:48:35 2006
Dave Hopkins from Kilmarnock
I am a Welshman living in Scotland and managed to see this program through the wonders of satellite television! My Scottish wife missed it but would like to see it. My question is, when are we going to get the chance to buy this on DVD? Also, when are we getting the other Huw Edwards presentations on Welsh History on DVD? Come on BBC Wales Chwarae Teg!!
Mon Jul 31 11:14:12 2006
Stephen John
Thoroughly enjoyed the programme on St Davids day and watched it again May 4th on BBC4. Didnt learn anything new but a very good informative production with an obiously enthusiastic presenter Huw Edwards. With the recent Battlefield Britain programme on Owain Glyndwr (another exellent production), we have been provided with 2 worthy tributes to a visionary hero of Wales. I had never heard of Glyndwr till after I left school as we were taught history from an English perspective and very little concerned Wales. In respect to 1282 it was addressed as as "Edward the First conquest of Wales" and not 'Llywelyn's defence of Wales'. The language of Wales suffered as a result of the "Welsh Not" in education, similarly the history and national concience of Wales suffered as a result of "Welsh History Not" in our schools. Thank you BBC and Huw Edwards for going some way to redressing the Welsh or should I say English education system which I and many other Welsh people were subjected to.
Fri May 5 10:00:24 2006
R N W Ellis
Complete self-satisfying romantic drivel. The only interesting item was the Tri partite agreement, in which Owain wanted to have a large chunk of England to make it work.
This was vision, and he allied himself to the Mortimers and Percy's to do it.
The same applies today. He had worked out that the long term survival was not within a poor country with vast mountainous area.
This programme asked questions and answered them with a petty nationalistic fervour.
I hesitate to get involved in Welsh politics and nationalism, but is not true that both Owain Glyndwr and later Llewellyn married into the English aristocracy.
I think Owain Glyndwr would be slightly disappointed to see the modern Wales, which only exists by courtesy of the EU. This programme did not explore his credible ambition.
Wed Apr 19 09:47:19 2006
Mary Cunnah from Llansilin
I missed the programme on St. David's Day. When will you show it again?
Tue Mar 28 23:18:41 2006
Chris Jones America
Where can an American get a copy of this Glyndwr film?
Sun Mar 12 23:55:35 2006
Sally Edwards from Newcastle Emlyn
Is this programme going to be shown again? Unfortunately, I missed it!
Sun Mar 12 18:43:04 2006
huw davies, wales
is this show going to be repeated, or is it available online
Sun Mar 12 14:14:40 2006
Lorna Sherry Menai Bridge
Great programme..........any chance of it being available on DVD? Was it shown in any other region of Britain? If not why not.......it was scenic and informative, Historic and promotional.
Thu Mar 2 12:08:28 2006
James Frankcom from London
When is it being shown on English BBC television? I want to see this very much!
Tue Feb 28 11:52:30 2006
Add your comments about the programme here:
If Owain Glyndwr had made one decision differently, Wales could now be ruling England, according to a BBC Wales documentary. Presented by Huw Edwards, the programme was broadcast on BBC One Wales at 9pm on St David's Day 2006 and was repeated on BBC Four on 4 May 2006. Watch out for a repeat later this year on BBC 2W. 
