Welcome to the home page of Mansel Jones

To date, Goylake Publishing have published two of my books: Tangwstyl and A History of Kenfig. A third book will be published on the 21st June 2013. This book is Pendragon, a novel set in 497 A.D.

In a land ravaged by war the ageing Pendragon, Ambrosius Aurelianus, seeks a successor only to encounter the twin threats of the Saxon advance and treason. He places his trust in Arthur, a man torn between the defence of his country and the defence of the woman he loves.

Pendragon is based on ancient Welsh sources and features many of the men and women who played a crucial role in Arthur’s life: Bedwyr and Cai, Caradog and Cadwallon, Gwenhwyfar and Eleri. The story culminates in the Battle of Badon, a battle that shaped the Britain we live in today, a battle that placed Arthur’s name in chronicles and histories, a battle that created a legend and a hero for all time.

You can read more about these books by following these links Pendragon, Tangwstyl and A History of Kenfig.

In the meantime you can read my monthly history column in the Seaside News and you can also read some of my historical articles by following the Time Passages link. Furthermore, if you click the Kenfig Times tab you will be taken to my Kenfig website where you can read about the history of this fascinating place. Another addition is My Blog a site devoted to my interests along with background material on my books. I hope you will take a moment to visit these sites and I also hope that you will find them interesting. And remember if you have any questions or queries about my websites or my books please feel free to contact me via the Contact link.

Latest Reviews

'Tangwstyl is a riveting story of love and hate and of good and evil, cowardice and bravery, peopled by real individuals...the story moves along at a terrific pace. The dialogue is sharp, taut and authentic. The villains are unfailingly evil and you really care about what is going to happen to the ordinary people caught up in this web of intrigue. It holds your interest from start to end and is a real ‘page turner’...a very good read and an excellently written book, giving us a vivid insight of what it must have been like to live in Kenfig all that long time ago.’ - Terry Robbins, the Kenfig Society. The full review of this book can be read on the Society’s website www.kenfigsociety.org

'For once I found that Tangwstyl portrays a true medieval village. The weather, scenery and characters, all resemble a true Welsh village at this era in time. The divergence between the Welsh and the English, as was the case during this period, is also made clear. The characters are believable, and it shows a side to King Richard that is not often seen. The plot is brilliant, and is filled with twists, as each page reveals a new piece of it. The timeline of Tangwstyl is perfect, as it stretches over only a few days. This helps the story feel more realistic and keeps the reader's attention throughout'. 5 stars - Luci Patterson on www.amazon.co.uk

'Tangwstyl is a historical novel of complex plot and violent action, rooted in the history and landscape of Glamorgan (specifically the lost town and castle of Kenfig) near the end of the reign of Richard II...the lawless savagery and tyranny of the Norman marcher lords of the castle and their treacherous plot drive the story...on a more individual level we follow the fortunes of Euros, the Anglo-Welsh noble who cares deeply for the people; Anest, the selfless and brave healer; and the mysterious child, Tangwstyl, whom she rescues. Mansel Jones keeps the tension wound up and introduces many interesting and well-differentiated characters, not least his portrait of the self-deceiving and self-destructive King Richard II. Mansel Jones has well imagined the details of life in the period and vividly conveys the fear and conflicting loyalties of his many characters. He obviously knows the landscape well and the evocation of this adds greatly to the book’. - Caroline Clark on the Welsh Books Council’s website www.gwales.com used with permission.

'Firstly, I would have to start by saying that Tangwstyl isn't necessarily the type of book I would normally choose to read. However, it is set in an area of Wales that is very familiar to me and for that reason I was initially drawn to it. Set within the medieval City of Kenfig and its surrounding areas, Tangwstyl is a work of fiction, based on historical fact. There are many themes within the story which would appeal to both male and female readers; of treachery, murder and betrayal, love, religious belief, compassion and hope. It also gives some social insight in to the difficulties and horrors endured on a daily basis in the lives of the peasants and "ordinary people" of the time, compared with the cosseted lives of the landowners, nobility and titled. Many characters are involved in the story, helpfully listed at the beginning of the book which acts as a reference point until the role of these characters is established and clarified. The story takes place over a series of days, following a prologue which sets the scene. The story to me became exciting and tense over the course of the second half and the plot takes several unexpected turns, keeping it compelling.

I very much enjoyed the book. Although it has a Welsh name for its title and is set in Wales, I would say the book is accessible to any reader and the fact that I am familiar with many of the place names didn't really give me any advantage since the setting in 1399 would bear very little, if any resemblance to the place it is now! A very small part of the Castle does remain today, as do remains of Margam Abbey.

In summing up; an interesting, exciting and thought-provoking tale with an original plot set at a good pace! Buy, read, enjoy!' 5 stars - D. Richardson on www.amazon.co.uk