List of Anglo-Welsh wars

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This is an incomplete list of the wars and battles between the

Adventus Saxonum
in c. AD 446 (when the Anglo-Saxons are said to have arrived in Britain) to the late Middle Ages when England annexed the whole of Wales in 1535. The list is not exhaustive but seeks to note the significant campaigns and the major battles.

5th century

Angeln, Flanders and Jutland
make landings and mostly through treaty occupy large areas of eastern and south eastern Britain.

Arthurian Battles listed in the Historia Brittonum.

  • Battle on the River Glein – Arthur, general of the British forces, and the British kings defeat the Anglo-Saxons.
  • Second, third and fourth battles of Arthur at the river Dubglas in Linnuis - thought to be the old Kingdom of Lindsey, where he led the Britons to victory over the Anglo-Saxons at each battle.
  • Battle at the river Bassas – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons.
  • Battle in the Caledonian forest – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons(?) somewhere in the
    Caledonian forest
    in Scotland.
  • Battle of the fort (castellum) of Guinnion – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons.
  • Battle of "City of the Legion(s)" (urbs Legionis) – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons, which is thought to probably be Caerleon or Chester, both known anciently as "city of the legion(s)".
  • Battle of the river shore of Tribruit – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons.
  • Battle of the hill of Breguoin – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons at what is believed to be the old Roman fortress of Bremenium in Rochester, Northumberland.
  • Battle of
    Mons Badonicus – The Anglo-Saxons are soundly defeated by the Britons (possibly led by King Arthur
    ). This defeat allegedly ends the Saxon attacks for decades.

6th century

Pagan Anglo-Saxon tribes conquer southern Britain capturing

Lincoln and Canterbury among other places. Later in the century Angles
defeat the northern Britons and colonize the north eastern coast.

7th century

The Anglo-Saxons consolidate their hold on southern and eastern Britain. The

English Midlands). Cambria is cut off from the Britons of the north west and the south west. The Anglo-Saxons convert to Christianity
by the middle of the century. The last serious attempts by the Britons to reclaim Britain fail.

  • 614 Battle of Beandun – The West Saxons led by Cynegils defeat the West Britons, possibly led by Tewdwr ap Peredur, at Badbury Rings, Dorset. In what is speculated to have been a siege over two thousand British warriors died following the capture of the fort, according to later Saxon accounts. After this battle it is possible Dorset was annexed by Wessex.
  • 616
    Aethelfrith of Northumbria defeat an alliance of Powys and Gwynedd and capture the city of Chester
    .
  • 619 The united Northumbrian Angles led by Edwin of Northumbria invade and conquer Elmet, a British territory close to modern Leeds. The Kingdom of Elmet is occupied and its last ruler, Ceretic, is driven into exile in Powys where soon after he dies.
  • 629 The Northumbrians invade Gwynedd and drive Cadwallon ap Cadfan into exile.
  • 630 The Battle of Pont y Saeson Tewdrig King of Gwent together with Meurig, slaughtered the invading Saxons
  • 630 "The Battle of Cefn Digoll, also known as the Battle of the Long Mynd was a battle fought in 630 at Long Mountain near Welshpool, won by the British .
  • 633 Battle of Hatfield Chase near Doncaster. The battle was fought between the Northumbrian army of King Edwin and an alliance between King Cadwallon of Gwynedd and Penda of Mercia. The battle ended in the death of Edwin and drove the Northumbrian invaders out of Gwynedd, and preceded a British campaign into Northumbria. Cadwallon occupies Northumbria, capturing York and killing many members of the Northumbrian dynasty that invaded Gwynedd.
  • 634 Battle of Heavenfield near Hadrian's Wall where Cadwallon is defeated and killed by the Northumbrians led by Oswald of Northumbria. The British are driven from Northumbria ending the campaign to reclaim the North.
  • 638 The Britons of Gododdin modern day Edinburgh area are defeated at Catterick, North Yorkshire|(Catraeth).
  • 642 Battle of Maes Cogwy near Oswestry where the British alongside their Mercian allies were defeated by the Northumbrians.
  • 650 Battle of Bradford on Avon, a West Saxon victory against the West British.
  • 655 Battle of the Winwaed in which King Oswiu of Bernicia defeated and killed King Penda of Mercia. King Cadafael ap Cynfeddw of Gwynedd was allied with Penda but stayed out of the battle.
  • 658 The small British kingdom of Pengwern in modern Shropshire was overrun and annexed by Mercia.
  • 658 Battle of Peonnum in Somerset where an allied force of the West British and Cadwaladr of Gwynedd are defeated. The West Saxons move to occupy western Somerset.
  • 665 The alleged Second Battle of Badon which was allegedly a West Saxon victory against the Kingdom of Gwent and her allies.
  • 670 The West Saxons led by
    Cenwealh capture central Somerset and establish the religious centre at Glastonbury
    .
  • 682 the West Saxons led by
    Centwine move westwards and defeat the West British somewhere near the River Parrett
    , allegedly driving them "to the sea".
  • c.685 The Brut y Tywysogion records a British victory in the south west with naval support, including allies from the Kingdom of Brittany that forces the West Saxons back from some of their gains.

8th century

The British territories in the south west (now Cornwall and much of Devon) defend themselves and push the English back. The borders of modern Wales are broadly defined as Mercian expansion grinds to a halt.

  • 710 after defeating the West British of Devon, led by Geraint of Dumnonia, and capturing the stronghold at Norton Fitzwarren, Ine of Wessex builds a fortress at Taunton to defend "his" lands. In the course of the battle King Geraint is slain.
  • c.720 Battle of Hehil, in Dumnonia where the Cornish British with support from Rhodri Molwynog are victorious against Wessex bringing freedom from attack to the Cornish for almost a century. The Brut records another battle won honorably in the same war between Rhodri and the Saxons.
  • c.720 The
    Battle of Pencoed in Morgannwg, the Battle of Garth Maelog, and "another battle in Gwynedd" are cited by the Brut
    as British victories, although explicitly separated from the war against the Saxons the same year.
  • 722 Ine of Wessex advances as far as the River Tamar but is defeated and withdraws. The West Saxon fortress at Taunton is destroyed.
  • 728 Battle of Carno Mountain in Gwent where the British drove the Anglo-Saxons back to the River Usk where many were drowned.
  • 733 Battle of Devawdan, another British victory.
  • 735 First Battle of Hereford where the British are victorious after a long and bloody fight.
  • 743 an allied army of Mercians and West Saxons fight the British. Possible construction of Wat's Dyke.
  • 752 where Eadberht of Northumbria invades the Kingdom of Strathclyde and conquered the territory of Kyle.
  • 753 the West Saxons led by Cuthred fight the British of Cornwall. The result is not known but the Cornish preserve their independence, so a Cornish British victory seems likely.
  • 755 the westward expansion of Wessex resumes. Over the next thirty or so years eastern and northern Devon is controlled by Wessex.
  • 756 the Northumbrians led by Eadbert in alliance with the Picts invade the northern British Kingdom of Strathclyde and defeat their king Dumnagual who is forced to submit thus becoming, for a while, a vassal of Northumbria. A second battle at Hereford is recorded as another British victory in the Brut y Tywysogion.
  • 765 where the British invade Mercia and cause much devastation.
  • 769 Mercians campaign in Wales.
  • 760 Battle of Hereford is recorded as a British victory against the Mercians led by Offa of Mercia. The British were probably led by Elisedd ap Gwylog of Powys and his son Brochfael ap Elisedd.
  • 780 the construction of Offa's Dyke begins. It appears this frontier ditch delineated an agreed frontier between Powys and Mercia.
  • 784 it is presumed that Exeter was captured by Cynewulf of Wessex following a siege. The British invade Mercia again causing havoc.
  • 798 the Mercians led by Coenwulf of Mercia invade Wales but later retreated, even though his forces killed the Welsh King Caradog ap Meirion.

9th century

During the first half of the century a reinvigorated Mercia almost conquers the rest of Wales. At the end of the century Viking raids on England divert some attention from the British.

Map of the extent of Hywel Dda's power
  Deheubarth, Hywel Dda's principality
  Combine to form Morgannwg

[2]

  • 890 at least some of the "men of Strathclyde" are forced to relocate to Gwynedd after their kingdom, much weakened by the Vikings, is overrun by Angles and Scots.

10th century

A period of relative peace as Hywel Dda comes to dominate most of Wales and forms an alliance with Wessex against the Vikings who have destroyed the power of Mercia.

11th century

A united kingdom of England is formed. The Welsh are united for a while under

Norman Conquest of England
. The new Norman masters of England launch the Norman invasion of Wales and ravage some parts of the Welsh kingdoms.

Post-Roman Welsh kingdoms.

12th century

Civil wars amongst the Norman overlords of England allow the Welsh kingdoms space to consolidate their positions. The end of the century sees a resurgent Gwynedd expand at the expense of her neighbours.

  • 1116 The Welsh of Deheubarth revolt against the Norman invaders.
  • 1134 Welsh raids into Shropshire destroying Caus Castle.
  • 1136 Welsh Rise up against the Norman occupying force driving them from all Wales except the Lordship of Carmarthen. Battles of Llwchwr (January) and Crug Mawr (October).
  • 1137 An army from Gwynedd captures Carmarthen from the Norman invaders.
  • 1144 The Marcher lord Hugh de Mortimer re-takes Maelienydd.
  • 1145 Gilbert de Clare rebuilds Carmarthen Castle.
  • 1149 Madog ap Maredudd advances into Shropshire and annexes Oswestry to the kingdom of Powys; it remains in his possession until 1157.
  • 1157 Henry II leads a massive invasion of the Perfeddwlad to drive Owain ap Gruffudd, the true king of Gwynedd, away from the border of Cheshire. Following a failed landing on Anglesey, Henry II and Owain come to terms with Owain agreeing to withdraw to the west bank of the River Clwyd.
  • 1159
    Rhys ap Gruffudd of Deheubarth attacks Anglo-Norman castles and settlements in south Wales, capturing Llandovery
    in 1162.
  • 1163 Henry II launches a military campaign in south Wales invading Deheubarth. He captures Rhys ap Gruffudd at Pencader and takes him to England. Rhys is restored to his lands in 1164 after he agrees to make homage to Henry.
  • 1165 Rhys ap Gruffudd leads attacks on Anglo-Norman strongholds in south and west Wales. Gwynedd, Powys, Deheubarth and the smaller realms form an alliance against England. Henry II declares war and leads an invasion force from Shrewsbury through Powys and into Gwynedd. Henry is forced to withdraw, allegedly after adverse weather conditions.
  • 1166 Rhys ap Gruffudd captures Cardigan Castle from the Norman crown.
  • 1167 Owain ap Gruffudd captures
    River Dee
    .
  • 1185 Welsh raiders sack Cardiff.
  • 1196 Full-scale war breaks out again. Hubert Walter invades Powys from Shrewsbury and places Welshpool under siege.
  • 1198 Battle of Painscastle where a Welsh army is defeated by the Normans.

13th century

The primacy of Gwynedd continues up to the middle of the century when a "Principality of Wales" is proclaimed by

Dafydd ap Gruffudd
, in 1283 signify the end of Welsh independence. The end of the century sees the annexation of Wales and the Edwardian Settlement.

Llywelyn the Great
in 1234
  Marchia Wallia (lands ruled by the Marcher barons)

14th century

A period of relative stability under English rule, punctuated by two significant revolts.

15th century

Civil conflict in England and the deposition of Richard II are the background for the national uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr who is successful in liberating all of Wales from the English. He is eventually defeated and English control of Wales is reimposed.

See also

References

General
  • Ashley, Mike The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens, Robinson History, 1998
  • Albany Major, J. Early Wars of Wessex, Blandford Press, 1913
  • Irvinson, Stuart Anglo-Welsh Wars, Bridge Books, 2001
Specific
  1. ISBN 0-85115-598-7
    .
  2. ^ Carradoc Of Lhancarvan (1697). The History of Wales. Translated by David Powel and. Augmented by W. Wynne. p. 38.
  3. ^ Wrexham County Borough Council: The Princes and the Marcher Lords
  4. ISBN 0-7083-1474-0


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