The Dragon Has Two Tongues: A History of the Welsh 1/3 with Wynford Vaughan-Thomas

Written and presented by Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Gwyn Williams

Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, broadcaster and writer of many books about Wales, visits the Paviland Caves where ancient human remains were found, and argues that the beginning of Wales can be traced back many thousands of years. He also nestles up to Arthur's Stone and has a look at some stone circles.

Gwyn Williams, Professor of History and lifelong Marxist, takes great exception to this view. He begins his history of Wales down a disused coalmine, and argues that Welsh history proper began only 1,500 years ago.

Throughout the episode, the two experts present their incompatible views of Wales and their totally different approach to history and how to define it. In the final part of this episode, they come face-to-face.

From "The Dragon Has Two Tongues: A History of the Welsh" Episode One: Where to Begin' (1985). There were 13 episodes in total, and this is the only one I have, unfortunately.

Like a lot of my uploads, this is taken from an ancient VHS tape and the sound level is not very good.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• History
• of
• Wales

[jrnesbit]

could the sound quality be any worse? mono?

[Toddysfins]

The sound is in mono because it was transferred from an old VHS tape in mono several years before youtube existed and with no thought of it ever being broadcast publicly. Anyone who objects to mono can avoid watching it (and nearly all my other uploads) but I've put it here because I thought some people might enjoy it, mono or not.

[csmurphyx500]

the music at the start is AMAZING

[3tangle3]

@bramleybull good one, most english have the same pre celtic/celtic ancestry but became anglo norman in culture due to the rule of the influx of elite rulers and their followers e.g. saxon/norman....even the celts had their red/blonde haired elites come in 600bc onwards

[bramleybull]

As an Englishman I love learning about Welsh history and culture as I visit often and is my favourite country.

[jeannegirl1]

great video. this guy is awesome

[MatlockJack]

Can anyone confirm whether this was first broadcast in 1982?

[MatlockJack]

@csmurphyx500

The music brings tears to your eyes, it has so much dignity and endurance....

[JamesoMorgan]

@DeductiveReason Is that Thomas West father of John West who does the tuna? That would explain the whale connection, to use a bit of DeductiveReason. As I understand it all of these animals and historical figures are Welsh, or at least were before the English came along and spoiled everything with their racism, female paedophiles and fake cockney accents, so you're probably on to something. The important thing is that we all stick together and try to stop all these tidal waves.

[JamesoMorgan]

@DeductiveReason Is that Thomas West father of John West who does the tuna? That would explain the whale connection, to use a bit of DeductiveReason. As I understand it all of these animals and historical figures are Welsh, or at least were before the English came along and spoiled everything with their racism, female paedophiles and fake cockney accents, so you're probably on to something. The important thing is that we all stick together and try to stop all these tidal waves and stuff

[JamesoMorgan]

Is that Thomas West father of John West who does the tuna? That would explain the whale connection, to use a bit of DeductiveReason. As I understand it all of these animals and historical figures are Welsh, or at least were before the English came along and spoiled everything with their racism, female paedophiles and fake cockney accents, so you're probably on to something. The important thing is that we all stick together and try to stop all these tidal waves and stuff (whales please take note)

[JamesoMorgan]

Is that Thomas West father of John West who does the tuna? That would explain the whale connection, to use a bit of DeductiveReason. As I understand it all of these animals and historical figures are Welsh, or at least were before the English came along and spoiled everything with their racism, female paedophiles and fake cockney accents, so you're probably on to something. The important thing is that we all stick together and try to stop all these tidal waves and stuff (whales please take note)

[skatenotwar]

I saw this TV show for the first time in a history lecture today. Fantastic - thank you for uploading this!