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Terry Jones uncovers French plot to invade via Wales
Tue, 2008-05-13 05:45
 Terry Jones has helped uncover a plot to land a French invasion force in Wales. While working on a new television programme, the historian stumbled upon plans to land Louis XIV’s forces on the Mid Wales coast at Aberystwyth. The 17th century conspiracy – apparently hatched after Charles II had signed the Treaty of Dover in which he plotted with the French King to restore Britain to Catholicism – came as a shock to Colwyn Bay-born Terry and programme makers. They had thought they were just going to follow an ancient map to see if a roadway depicted still exists today. Programme producer Alan Ereira said he thought they were in for a gentle, but fascinating trek across Wales using the world’s first road atlas, created by John Ogilby. Ogilby, born in Scotland in 1600, is best known for his Britannia Atlas, which set the standard for those that followed. But they found something far more sinister – no less than a plot for revolution, which could have plunged England and Wales into a bitter civil war. “It was a fascinating find,” said Ereira. “And what was going to be a travel programme has become something much more.” Jones and the programme team had planned to follow the map – a luxurious item that in today’s money would cost a staggering £40m to produce – from the English border to Aberystwyth or Aberistwith, as Ogilby describes it. Laid out in strips, the map was very literal in the way it depicts crossing streams, going over boggy ground and marking the few towns and villages which were on the way. Ogilby did not walk the whole way himself, but employed an army of surveyors to do the work, with remarkable accuracy even by today’s GPS standards. But one thing bothered Terry and the team. Why did this map depict the way to Aberystwyth of all places. In 1672, when the map was being made, the town was hardly the “capital of Mid Wales” that it is today. It was not even regarded as the most important port on that stretch of coast and it only had just over 100 houses. Today, Aberystwyth is a modern town with a well-regarded university and arts centre. “I was trying to figure out what was the sense of it all,” said Ereira. “And it didn’t make any sense to produce this incredibly expensive map, without a purpose.” Especially as this was during what he describes as “the original great credit crunch of the 17th century”, as the government refused to pay capital or interest on loans, and bank notes became completely worthless. But behind this was an even more amazing discovery, one that could have changed the course of British history. In 1672, when the map was being made, Charles II had just signed the secret treaty of Dover in which he plotted with Louis XIV of France to restore Britain to Catholicism. In the treaty, Charles II was promised money from France to help him suppress any armed resistance to his Catholic re-conversion plan as well as, if needed, 6,000 French troops. In return, Charles was to help Louis wage war on the Dutch. Programme makers found Ogilby’s map was no less than the blueprint for an invasion – a handbook showing where resources could be controlled and an invading French army safely landed on the Mid Wales coast. The coveted map, however, was never used for its original purpose. The plot collapsed, Ogilby was left without finance and he died soon after. And the map, which could have brought an invading army such wealth, would not even cover its costs today – an auctioned original sells for approximately £20,000. The Great Map Mystery, with Terry Jones, is on BBC Two Wales at 7pm tomorrow http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/05/12/ex-python-uncovers-a-french-plot-to-invade-via-aberystwyth-91466-20894242/  Votes: 0 Tags: Terry Jones, tv documentary  christinah3000 yeah, would be lovely :)
Submitted by christinah3000 on Thu, 2008-05-29 02:30.
yeah, would be lovely :)  Lemming_Of_The_BDA OMFHASEIBTTITATAHHT!
Submitted by Lemming_Of_The_BDA on Tue, 2008-05-27 16:14.
I don't know about others but... "Know what I mean? Wink wink. Nudge nudge. Say no more! Say no more!"  gna42 That lucky, lucky bastard.
Submitted by gna42 on Tue, 2008-05-27 16:48.
We'd love to see them. honestly! "Some things in life are bad, they can really make you mad..." and... "always look on the Bright Side of Life..."  Hanri Lemming_Of_The_BDA Is there anyway of seeing it in america?
Submitted by Lemming_Of_The_BDA on Tue, 2008-05-13 17:13.
I'm looking and all I see on my BBC channel is a bunch of house cleaning games and food stuff. The BBC channel I have seems to be made for house wives. Oh wait there are a few other things! Robin Hood, The Office, and Doctor Who... well as nice as those are I WANT TERRY!!! "Know what I mean? Wink wink. Nudge nudge. Say no more! Say no more!"  barfolishus Oh i know how you feel katie!
Submitted by barfolishus on Tue, 2008-05-13 17:23.
I have the same problem. although i really enjoy the show "You are what you eat", and "My Family" I would love to see this documentary. Gosh. So much for having BBCAmerica, bummer. *********************************************************************** Lemming_Of_The_BDA only downside to shows on BBC america is
Submitted by Lemming_Of_The_BDA on Wed, 2008-05-14 05:11.
A- Not much python "Know what I mean? Wink wink. Nudge nudge. Say no more! Say no more!" barfolishus well,
Submitted by barfolishus on Wed, 2008-05-14 10:03.
when I first started watching it(BBCA), they had A LOT of python, that was like, say, a yer ago. I remember that because I had a MASSIVE hangover(lol) and i was home from work andthere was a python marathon on ALL DAY! So, needless to say, I was a very happy little girl that day(even though I was dry heaving and had a massive migraine). But other than that, no python love. ***********************************************************************  LadyLovelace We have a channel called
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Wed, 2008-05-14 05:52.
UKTV - they're pretty good about not repeating stuff, but it's mostly for the immigrants to watch their soapies and the programs they were used to in the motherland - my mum watches it a lot. Sadly, no Python, every other British comedy ever thought of, but not the Pythons. One gets the feeling there's a little insulted program director hanging about at HQ They played MPFC the whole way through on the Comedy Channel, except they cut out the "It's" sequence and started with the animated titles - I think if that was your first time seeing it, it would have confused you. I thought about writing a letter of complaint, but I got lazy, and decided that program directors probably can't read anyway. Yours etc., christinah3000 btw can anyone record it?
Submitted by christinah3000 on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:14.
btw can anyone record it? LadyLovelace I can, but
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:30.
firstly, the first episode should be on YouTube by tomorrow night (which I will look for at the time) secondly, surely they'll air it in Austria fairly shaprish anyway thirdly, I can record it to video, but I can't hook the VCR up to the laptop (or at least my brother tells me I can't) I'm sorry, that was completely useless, wasn't it? You might want to see if the BBC are webcasting it (I hear they often do, but then this is something my father tells me and as such it may not be accurate) - I'll see what I can find out Yours etc., christinah3000 well, it'd be lovely to find
Submitted by christinah3000 on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:35.
well, it'd be lovely to find as a torrent file, youtube vids don't have such a good quality later... as an austrian, we can't watch the vids of bbc, only for uk citizens. and recording it on dvd or video would make it much easier for, 'cause i wouldn't have to fear not finding it for download. i have asked three people and two don't have the channel, and one has to record her favourite show tonight ... so, it'd be great to find help here.. LadyLovelace I hadn't thought of
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:53.
a torrent.....obviously, one does not yet exist. I'll be recording it when it makes it's merry little way out here anyway (I have several huge stacks of recorded documentaries, make a habit of it) I must check the history channel (or the travel channel?) Hmmmmmm, it's like an enigma inside a puzzle....... Yours etc., christinah3000 it's just very strange that
Submitted by christinah3000 on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:13.
it's just very strange that nobody ever mentioned that terry has made a new show, nothing on imdb.com and nothing in the news section of the bbc... either they are just lazy, or they tried to keep it a secret. http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/sites/entertainment/pages/tvandradio.shtml TERRY JONES' GREAT MAP MYSTERY: Tuesday, 13 May, 7pm, BBC2 Wales O FLAEN DY LYGAID: Tuesday, 13 May, 9pm, S4C Dewi Prysor feels firmly rooted to his local area in north Wales and feels strongly that his land and language are essential to his identity. He is also convinced he belongs to a tradition and family dating back to a time before the Romans arrived in Wales and that he is a Celt. Author Catrin Dafydd also considers herself a Celt, with her family coming from North and West Wales and Bardsey Island. But she also defines herself in more modern terms as Welsh European. Opinions differ about the existence of the Celts, with some people asserting that the Celtic history is simply a romanticised story created in the 18th century. The programme follows Catrin and Dewi as they question a number of experts about the idea of being a Celt. They witness Celtic events and take a ground-breaking DNA test which will establish their genetic heritage through science. "I'm fairly sure I go back to the ancient Britons because my dad's family have been in the Traws, Harlech and Llanuwchllyn areas for generations," says Dewi Prysor. "But Edward I spent a night in Prysor Castle, just 500 yards from my childhood home. I wonder whether he had his wicked way with any of the local women? It'd create a hell of a stir if I turned out to be related to him." "The idea of genetic heritage has always appealed to me," says Catrin Dafydd. "I think that a lot of people, particularly in the modern age, are searching for an anchor - a feeling of belonging." Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas is interviewed on the programme and believes less emphasis should be placed on the notion of the Celt. "This Celtic-ness has been used in modern-day discussions in the world of politics, culture and theology and I think this has confused us somewhat," he says. "I think we should bury the word Celtic in the same grave as the University of Wales and the traditional establishments which were so celebrated in the 18th and 19th centuries. I think it's something that belongs to a bygone age... It's not where we came from that's important, but where we're going." But turning to the world of science, the results of the DNA are a cause of great amazement for both Dewi and Catrin. LadyLovelace Wow
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Tue, 2008-05-13 06:09.
Mind you, the bastard has just added a chunk to French history - Thanks a bunch Terry :P, I jest of course, I can't stay angry with him for any length of time Why hadn't I heard about this before now? That's it, I'm moving to the UK *packs bags* Trust bloody Terry Jones to be in the middle of crap like this....first Chaucer and now planned invasions. I think he's determined to re-write history, I say good luck! Yours etc.,  Miss Tree Thats one thing I love about history
Submitted by Miss Tree on Tue, 2008-05-13 06:47.
it is like a question that always seems unanswered. There is always new evidence being discovered and new ideas hypothesized. This special sounds extremely interesting and to be honest I kinda thought that the French were planning something along those lines. It only makes sense to use the land that you have for plotting attack. This map sounds like a very benchmarkal find and yup may even change History text books for students. I hope we get that special on this side of the pond because this is something I would definitely lovelovelove to see. Way to go Terry! LadyLovelace Sneaky Bastards
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:05.
Those French ones....wouldn't put anything past them. To be fair, it does sound entirely reasonable in context. I know we'll have it in a matter of weeks because the ABC and the BBC trade documentaries and TV series as a matter of course (there are some benefits the being a member of the commonwealth, even if it does mean the queen stays on the back of our coins) Of course, there's always getting it past my mum, which could be a challenge....... "Is that whojamacalit making a mockery of history again?" "Terry Jones? No mum" "oh, it looked awfully like him....carry on" Yours etc., Miss Tree Well Im part Welsh myself...
Submitted by Miss Tree on Tue, 2008-05-13 07:26.
Im very curious to learn about this new find. I dont see him making a mockery of History as much as finding a new way to teach people about it so its more exciting. Not everyone is happy to sit with a huge 5000 page deadweight to try and understand events in History. So why not add a lil humour and show some visuals. Hmm we do get a BBC channel or 2 over here I wonder if they are gonna air it, we get the news. I shall have to check it out. LadyLovelace I'm not the one who said mockery
Submitted by LadyLovelace on Wed, 2008-05-14 01:13.
It was my mum. To be honest, I find it far more reasonable to present history the way he does - it was living and breathing at the time, so why should it be stuffy and boring now? I love a good documentary. Mind you, I like books too Yours etc., |
Terry Jones New Series
erm...... not a word, but I may have been the stills photographer for one of the progs in this series. shhhhh......... Would the owners of this blog maybe like a couple? All I ask is that you acknowledge and respect my copyright.
The man himself was a dead nice bloke, a perfect gentleman and bought my loyalty by buying me a beer... (Oh, and by god he's sharp-witted). Thankfully managed NOT to quote anything python on the day!!!