Hello and welcome to Life of the Week from History Extra, where leading historians delve into the lives of history's most intriguing and significant figures.

Famed for his dramatic and determined revolt against English rule in the early 15th century, as well as his bold vision for an independent Wales.

O'Einglander has gone down in history as a symbol of Welsh resistance and a national hero.

I spoke to Gideon Brough to chart the medieval nobleman's emergence as a warrior and a statesman

to uncover the man behind the enduring myth.

For those who may have heard of O'Anglindor, or those who might be completely unfamiliar with him,

who was he?

O'Anglindor was a Welsh nobleman in the 14th and early 15th century.

He's feigned for leading a revolt, but I contest that's not one of his creation. But during his life, he sort of lived the life of the quintessential Welsh nobleman. So he had this great military career, military background, but also engaged in cultural pursuits, was poetry and had a bardic circle and lived in a Welsh cultural milieu during his lifetime.

But he was equally adept in speaking to English knights and nobles.

He rubbed shoulders with knights and earls on military campaigns.

And within the sort of context of his revolt, he comes across very much as the wronged man.

He's been forced into a revolt against his will.

But in some ways, this is what made his name.

He would have been a footnote in history unless this happened. And history got to see exactly

who he was and what he did as a result of the revolt. And Owen was someone who was loved and feared

in equal measure. And I think that's exactly the right sort of reputation any

medieval noble would have wanted. And before we really delve in, we need to situate ourselves

a little bit in the landscape and the time. Could you explain to us what Wales was like at this time?

So mid-14th century Wales was recovering from the first visitation of the

Black Death. But of course there was a ring of English castles and towns across North Wales,

which is where O'Ine was born and grew up, northeast Wales, very close to the border with England.

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