Prof. Huw Pryce

A graduate of the universities of Chicago and Harvard, and currently holder of a Sir John Rh,s Studentship in Celtic Studies at Jesus College, Oxford, Dr Olson is no stranger to Bangor, having spent a term here as an exchange student in 2003; in addition, Professor Huw Pryce was the external member of her Harvard Ph.D. dissertation committee.

In-depth research by a Bangor University historian, Professor Huw Pryce, of the University School of History, Welsh History and Archaeology, has inspired Tywysogion (Princes), covering the period between the rule of Hywel Dda (910-950) and Owain Glyndr in the fifteenth century.

Much of the work is based on research contained in Professor Pryce's volume The Acts of Welsh Rulers 1120-1283.Professor Pryce scripted the television series and wrote the accompanying book.

Music for the series has been specially composed by talented young composer, Guto Puw from the University's School of Music.As well as being a Welsh Medium teaching Fellow, Guto is also BBC Now Composer in residence.

"In tracing the activities and achievements of theWelsh princes, we open a window on an exciting and complex society that, while being Welsh, was at the same time, a part of the multi-coloured pattern of medieval Europe.Even though the series and book represents a formative period in the history of Wales, this is not a Wales isolated from wider developments," said Professor Huw Pryce.

'The Acts of the Welsh Rulers' is the fruit of over ten years' research by Dr Huw Pryce of the Department of History & Welsh History at the University, with the assistance of Dr Charles Insley.
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According to Dr Huw Pryce, "this is the nearest we will get to hearing the actual voice of the Welsh princes.
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The first to use the term was Owain Gwynedd in the mid 1160's- it shows ambition and an attempt to raise his profile," says Dr Pryce.

"On the other hand, the continuing variety in the form and wording of documents, which span over 160 years, shows that the courts of the princes and lords had no access to a sophisticated chancery.These are not the documents produced by an elaborate machinery of government.Such developments were hampered by lack of continuity of various princedoms and lordships and uncertain succession between generations," he added.

A volume of compelling reading comprising nine essays - by renowned historians Neil Evans, Mathew Griffiths, Philip Jenkins, Bill Jones, Huw Pryce, Chris Williams, Mari Williams and the editors - offering an interesting insight into the making of the people of Wales, 1000-2000, in social and cultural, economic and political terms.