The Greatest Ever Faker

He was a 19th century historian, poet and activist. He founded the modern Eisteddfod - at a gathering atop London's Primrose Hill - uncovered medieval poems, an ancient alphabet and numerous manuscripts that stand as a lodestone of Welsh literary culture and decisively shaped modern Wales's idea of itself.

The thing is: it was mostly fiction - lies and forgeries.

Gareth Gwynn sets out on the trail of Ned of Glamorgan, aka Iolo Morganwg, to find out whether a modern Welsh man can really be an honest Welshman when his national traditions are based on falsehood. Along the way he can't resist the temptation to create a few traditions of his own, leading down some blind and dangerous philosophical alleys.....

Gareth Gwynn uncovers the fantastical world of a Welsh cultural lodestone Iolo Morganwg.

He founded the modern Eisteddfod – at a gathering atop London's Primrose Hill – uncovered medieval poems, an ancient alphabet and numerous manuscripts that stand as a lodestone of Welsh literary culture and decisively shaped modern Wales's idea of itself.

Producer: Michael Surcombe

Gareth Gwynn uncovers the fantastical world of a Welsh cultural lodestone, Iolo Morganwg

Gareth Gwyn sets out on the trail of Welshman Iolo Morganwg, stonemason, historian, fantasist – and forger! From 2016.

He was a 19th century historian, poet and activist. He founded the modern Eisteddfod – at a gathering atop London's Primrose Hill – uncovered medieval poems, an ancient alphabet and numerous manuscripts that stand as a lodestone of Welsh literary culture and decisively shaped modern Wales's idea of itself.

Produced by Michael Surcombe

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.