The Writers of Wales Database

JONES, MANSEL

Email: tangwstyl@mansel-jones.com
Website: http://www.mansel-jones.com

Mansel Jones was born in St Athan, Glamorgan. He spent his childhood exploring medieval castles and reading local folk legends. After publishing a number of articles and short stories, Mansel decided to write a novel about medieval Kenfig: Tangwstyl (Goylake Publishing, 2010). Inspired by the writing of Sir Walter Scott, George Eliot, the anonymous author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the medieval poet, Iolo Goch, Tangwstyl is essentially a novel about belief: belief in God, belief in the Devil; belief in an ideal, belief in a dream; belief in yourself.

In the future, Mansel would like to write more novels set in the medieval period. A sequel to Tangwstyl has suggested itself and he would also like to write a novel about Sir Gawain and a story about Chaucer’s Sons. The Edwardian period and the 1960s-1970s also fascinate Mansel, and he has plans to write novels set in those eras as well. At the moment Mansel is writing a novel set in 497 AD. It is based on ancient Welsh sources and will explore the world of the real 'king' Arthur, explaining why his name is largely ignored by the Church chronicles. This novel will be called Pendragon and it is scheduled to be published in 2012. When he is not writing Mansel loves to spend time with his family and to research his family tree.

Selected Publications:
Tangwstyl (Goylake Publishing, 2010)
A History of Kenfig (Goylake Publishing, 2011)

Tangwstyl (Goylake Publishing, 2010)

Tangwstyl is a story of love and murder, of loyalty and betrayal. Set in the medieval town of Kenfig in the year 1399, the story centres on a prophecy made by Merlin and the birth of a girl, named Tangwstyl. Based on historical fact, Tangwstyl tells the story of King Richard and a plot to assassinate him, of Owain Glyn Dwr and his struggle for personal and national justice, and of the medieval Church and its desire to suppress all forms of heresy. Tangwstyl also tells the story of the common men and women of Kenfig, ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events, events that would alter long held beliefs and reshape lives.

To purchase a copy of this title from gwales.com, please click on the front cover. It can also be purchased from amazon.co.uk by clicking here