16 October 2014
On Saturday, 1 November S4C viewers will be able to watch 17 individuals travelling back in time to 1525 Wales, in a new living history programme on S4C, Y Llys.
The 17 will live, dress, work and play like people of the period in a Tudor Court in Tretower, in the Brecon Beacons.
Y Llys follows a successful series Y Plas last year produced by Boom Cymru for S4C, which looked at life in a country house in Llanerchaeron in 1910.
How will the gang cope with a very basic lifestyle, including no electricity, no central heating and nor modern technology? We will be able to follow their ups and downs as they cope with life in 1525.
Today S4C can reveal the names of the 17 brave souls who will appear on Y Llys:
The Griffiths family from Sarn in the Llŷn Peninsula will step back in time to live in Y Llys; Michael and Heather Griffiths will be master and mistress of the house, their children, Helena, 12, Mathew, 10 and twins Esme and Anna, 9 will be the children of Y Llys.
Gwion Thorpe, from Cardiff but originally from Carmarthen, will be keeping control as he steps into the shoes of the organised steward, Dawn Worsley, also from Llŷn Peninsula will be the mistress maid.
Joining them as members of the workplace, will be Y Llys servants, Geraint Siddal from Newborough, Anglesey and Iwan Morgan from Llanbadarn, Aberystwyth. Iwan's son, Peredur, 12, will also join Y Llys as an apprentice servant.
The gate-keeper will be Dr. Glyn Jones from Chepstow, and the kitchen servants will be Morgan Williams from Garndolbenmaen, Rhian Davies from Llansilin, Mared Llywelyn Williams from Morfa Nefyn and Loti Flowers from Crynant by Neath. The clergyman will be Rhidian Jones, originally from Aberaeron but now living in Whitney, Oxford.
S4C has already revealed the name of the cook, Llyr Serw ap Glyn, who lives in Bethesda, but originally from Padog, by Betws y Coed. Llyr was chosen after a S4C campaign in the media, searching for a cook for the series.
S4C's Content Commissioner Llion Iwan said:
"This is a chance to learn more about a key period in history through the experience of these Welsh individuals who will spend time in Y Llys, and cope with the basic living conditions they had five centuries ago. This was a time when the son of Henry Tudor was on the English throne, leading to an act that united Wales with England in 1536 and 1542. This is an era that's being studied in schools too, I remember studying that exact part of history myself, and this is a chance to enrich the learning for everyone."
Alison John, producer of the series said:
"Imagine living without electricity, or tap water, not to mention without modern technology that we're all so dependent on. It will be impossible for most of us think of another way of living. Everyone of this crew has left the comfort of their homes, to experience and survive life as it was in 1525. Preparing everything has been interesting, and I'm confident that all the hard work put in by our team of experts on the era, and the production team will give a secure foundation. We look forward now to see how the 17, who couldn't wait to be a part of Y Llys, cope with the experience."
The Llys is sponsored by Powys County Council Tourism Service
• The programme is produced by Boom Cymru for S4C
• Tretower is a property of the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, Cadw
• English subtitles will be available throughout the series
• S4C is available in Wales on: Sky 104; Freeview 4; Virgin TV 166; Freesat 104
• S4C is available in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on: Sky 134; Freesat 120; Virgin TV 166
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