Gerald was born into a family with ties to powerful Welsh and Norman dynasties, so his heritage positioned him as a unique witness to the Anglo-Norman attempts to subjugate Wales. However, his conflicting loyalties and feelings about his Welsh heritage would shape his life, ambitions, and writings, presenting him as a figure emblematic of the complex relationship between the Welsh and their conquerors.

What was expected of Welsh noblemen of the Middle Ages? There were certain expectations to live up to and the best strived to embody  a blend of scholarly, martial, and cultural accomplishments that reflected the values and ideals of their time. These men, often from wealthy and influential families, were expected to demonstrate their excellence across various disciplines—intellectual, physical, and social. Two notable figures who exemplified these traits were Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd Ieuan ap Rhydderch, whose lives and works provide us with insight into the education and achievements of Welsh noblemen.

The love story of Gruffydd ap Cynan, King of Gwynedd and the beautiful Angharad, daughter of Owain ap Edwin, is often overlooked while their children’s stories are much more familiar. Their daughter, the warrior princess Gwenllian and her elopement with landless Prince Griffith of Dehuebarth is a tale of daring and tragedy, while the love and marriage of their son, the firebrand Owain Gwynedd, for his cousin, Cristin, flouted church law. Gruffydd and Angharad, however, found passion in turmoil, loyalty in a time of challenge and a deep lingering love that stood the test of time.

The Mabinogion, a collection of medieval Welsh tales, has long been celebrated as one of the cornerstones of Welsh mythology. They are very old writings found in the  White Book of Rhydderch (c. 1325) and the Red Book of Hergest (c. 1400). For centuries, the identity of the author of these stories has remained a mystery, with most scholars assuming it was a man, possibly a monk from North Wales. However, some years ago, a new theory proposed by Dr. Andrew Breeze sparked considerable interest and debate in the field of medieval Welsh literature. Dr. Breeze argued that the author of the Four Branches of the Mabinogi—the core tales of the Mabinogion—was none other than Gwenllian, a 12th-century Welsh princess who died fighting the Normans.

Welsh childhood experience in the Middle Ages was influenced by whether a child was born into a noble family. Children who were not noble were expected to participate in physical work at an early age. Those who supported their parents in agricultural work learnt early to tend livestock, collect eggs, shoo birds away from seedlings or help with planting, weeding and harvesting. The children learnt what they would need to do in later life by watching their parents.