List of Anglo-Welsh wars

This is a list of the recorded wars and battles between the Anglo-Saxons who later formed into the Kingdom of England and the Britons; the pre-existing Brythonic population of Britain south of the Antonine Wall who came to be known later by the English as Welsh. The list begins after the Adventus Saxonum in c. AD 446 (when the Anglo-Saxons are said to have first arrived in Britain) to the late Middle Ages when Wales was eventually subdued and annexed by England. The list is not exhaustive but seeks to note the significant campaigns and the major battles.

Fifth Century

Pagan Germanic tribes who have colonized parts of the eastern and southern coasts of Britannia attack the Britons (which the Anglo-Saxons dub "Wealsc") in a series of coordinated uprisings. Additional reinforcements from Old Saxony, Angeln, Flanders and Jutland make landings and through conquest and treaty occupy large areas of eastern and south eastern Britain.

c.452 The Germanic people settled on the eastern "Saxon Shore" of Britain rise in a revolt led by Hengest and his sons against their Romano British masters.
c.455 Battle of Aylesbury – Anglo-Saxons (particularly a group called Jutes) led by Hengest defeat the Britons (Welsh) led by Vortimer in Battle at Aylesbury, Kent.
c.456 Battle of Crayford – Anglo-Saxons (Jutes) led again by Hengest defeat the Britons (Welsh) led by Vortimer in battle. The Britons are driven from (Kent) which is afterwards ruled by Hengist and his son Æsc and their descendants.
c.465 Battle of Wippedsfleot – Britons (Welsh) defeat the Anglo-Saxons (Jutes) in battle in Kent and confine them to the island of Thanet.
c.473 The Anglo-Saxons (Jutes) move westwards and drive the Britons once again out of Kent.
c.477 Battle of Cymensora – Anglo-Saxons (Saxons) led by Ælle defeat the Britons (Welsh) close to Selsey.
c.486 Battle on the River Glein – Arthur of the Britons is reputed to have defeated the Anglo-Saxons.
c.490 Second, third and fourth battles of Arthur in Linnuis thought to be modern Lindsey where he led the Britons to defeat the Anglo-Saxons at each battle.
c.491 Siege of Anderida – Anglo-Saxons (Saxons) led by Ælle capture the Castle of Anderida from the Britons (Welsh) and slaughter the inhabitants. Ælle establishes the Kingdom of the South Saxons (Sussex).
c.492 Battle of Bassas – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons at an unidentified location.
c.493 Battle of Guinnion – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons in battle. The site was probably at Winchester which was then known as Caer Guintguic.
c.495 Battle of Urbe Legionis – Arthur defeats the Anglo-Saxons in battle at the "City of the Legions" which is thought to probably by Chester.
c.495 A man named Cerdic reputedly defeats the Britons (Welsh) in battle close to modern day Bournemouth and establishes kingdom of the West Saxons (Wessex).
c.496 Battle of Mons Badonicus – The Anglo-Saxons are soundly defeated in battle by the Britons (possibly led by King Arthur) at a site generally thought to be close to Bath. This defeat establishes 50 years of relative peace.

Sixth Century

Pagan Anglo-Saxon tribes conquer southern Britain capturing London, Colchester, Silchester, Chichester, Winchester, Grantchester, Leicester, Gloucester, Cirencester, Bath, York, Lincoln and Canterbury among other places. Later in the century Angles defeat the northern Britons and colonize the north eastern coast.

c.509 Battle of Natanleod – the West Saxons led by Cerdic defeat the Britons at Netley, Hampshire.
519 Another battle in which Cerdic is victorious. He establishes the Kingdom of Wessex at this point.
527 Battle of Cerdicesleag – the West Saxons led by Cerdic and his son Cynric defeat the Britons.
530 The Britons (Welsh) of the Isle of Wight are conquered by the Anglo-Saxons (Jutes).
547 the Northern Angles led by Ida the Flamebearer capture the fortress of Din Guyaroi from the Britons of the Kingdom of Bryneich.
c.550 Presumed date for the fall of Londinium (London) and Camulodunum (Colchester) to the East Saxons.
575 a northern alliance of the Britons led by King Urien of Rheged defeat the Angles of Bernicia and besiege them on Ynys Metcaut for three days.
577 Battle of Deorham where the West Saxons and their allies captured the Welsh fortress at Hinton Hill near Dyrham in modern Gloucestershire. The Welsh of the Severn Valley attempted to retake this strategic location but were defeated with three of their kings killed in the fighting. The West Saxons went on to capture Gloucester, Cirencester and Bath thus separating the "West Welsh" of the South West Peninsula from the Welsh of modern Wales.
580 Battle of Ebrauc where the Angles of Bernicia capture the city of Ebrauc (modern York).
584 Battle of Tintern where the armies of the Kingdom of Gwent, led by Tewdrig and his son Meurig defeated the West Saxons and forced them to retreat from the Gloucester area. Tewdrig was mortally wounded and died three days after the battle.
590 the northern alliance of the Britons is defeated following the assassination of their leader and divisions between the former allies.
598 Battle of Catraeth – the northern Angles led by Æthelfrith destroy the remaining forces of the Britons of Gododdin and Bryneich (Bernicia).

Seventh Century

The Anglo-Saxons consolidate their hold on southern and eastern Britain. The Mercian Angles made substantial gains in central Britain (today known as 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 Welsh to reclaim Britain fail.

614 Battle of Beandun – The West Saxons led by Cynegils defeat the West Welsh, possibly led by Tewdwr ap Peredur, at Badbury Rings, Dorset. In what is likely to have been a siege over two thousand Welsh warriors died following the capture of the fort. After this battle it is likely Dorset was annexed by Wessex.
616 Battle of Chester – the Northern Angles of Northumbria led by Aethelfrith of Northumbria defeat an alliance of Powys and Gwynedd and capture the city of Chester amid great slaughter.
619 The united Northumbrian Angles led by Edwin of Northumbria invade and conquer Elmet, a Welsh 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.
620 the Northumbrians invade Gwynedd and drive Cadwallon ap Cadfan into exile.
633 Battle of Hatfield Chase near Doncaster. Cadwallon of Gwynedd invaded Northumbria and defeats Edwin who is killed. Cadwallon occupies and ravages Northumbria, capturing York and killing many members of the Northumbrian dynasty.
634 Battle of Heavenfield near Hadrian's Wall where Cadwallon is defeated and killed by the Northumbrians led by Oswald of Northumbria. The Welsh are driven from Northumbria ending any pretentions at regaining the North.
638 The Britons of Gododdin are defeated at Din Eidin and forced to retreat inland to Catreath.
642 Battle of Maes Cogwy near Oswestry where the Welsh alongside their Mercian allies were defeated by the Northumbrians.
650 Battle of Bradford on Avon, a West Saxon victory against the West Welsh.
658 The small Welsh 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 Welsh and Cadwaladr of Gwynedd are defeated. The West Saxons move to conquer western Somerset.
665 Second Battle of Badon, somewhere in the Cotswold Hills which was a West Saxon victory against the Kingdom of Gwent and her local allies.
670 The West Saxons led by Cenwealh capture central Somerset including the important religious centre at Glastonbury.
682 the West Saxons led by Centwine move westwards and defeat the West Welsh somewhere near the River Parrett, driving them "to the sea".
c.685 The Brut y Tywysogion records a "partial" British victory in the south west with naval support from the Kingdom of Brittany that forces the West Saxons back from some of their gains.

Eighth Century

The Welsh territories in the south west (now Cornwall and little more) defend themselves and win a reprieve. The borders of modern Wales are broadly defined as Mercian expansion begins to slow.

710 after defeating the West Welsh of Devon, led by Geraint of Dumnonia, and capturing the stronghold at Norton Fitzwarren, King Ine of Wessex builds a fortress at Taunton to defend his conquests. In the course of the battle King Geraint is slain.
c.720 Battle of Hehil, in Dumnonia where the Cornish Welsh with support from Rhodri Molwynog are victorious against Wessex bringing some peace to the beleaguered 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 Welsh forced the Anglo-Saxons back to the River Usk where many were drowned.
733 Battle of Devawdan, another Welsh victory.
735 First Battle of Hereford where the Welsh are victorious after a long and bloody fight.
743 an allied army of Mercians and West Saxons fight the Welsh. 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 Welsh of Cornwall. The result is not known but the Cornish preserve their independence.
755 the westward expansion of Wessex resumes. Over the next thirty or so years eastern and northern Devon is permanently conquered by Wessex.
756 the Northumbrians led by Eadbert in alliance with the Picts invade the northern Welsh 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 Welsh victory in the Brut y Tywysogion.
765 where the Welsh invade Mercia and cause much devastation.
769 Mercians campaign in Wales.
760 Battle of Hereford is recorded as a Welsh victory against the Mercians led by Offa of Mercia. The Welsh 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 Welsh invade Mercia again causing havoc.
798 the Mercians led by Coenwulf of Mercia invade Wales but withdraw after killing Caradog ap Meirion.

Ninth 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 bring the Welsh some respite.

815 where Egbert of Wessex invades Cornwall and subdues the kingdom. 820 has also been suggested as a possible date for this "invasion"
816 Mercians invade Powys.
822 where Coelwulf of Mercia invades north Wales and captures Deganwy from Gwynedd and occupies the whole of Powys.
825 Battle of Camelford between Wessex and the Cornish Welsh resulting in another West Saxon victory.
828 the lands of Powys are liberated from Mercian occupation by Cyngen ap Cadell. The Pillar of Eliseg was probably commissioned at this time.
830 where Egbert of Wessex invades Powys and forces Cyngen ap Cadell to submit. Egbert then withdraws his forces.
838 Battle of Hingston Down in Devon where a combined force of Cornish and Danes were defeated by Wessex. Egbert's Stone is erected to commemorate this victory.
853 where Burgred of Mercia overruns Powys. Cyngan ap Cadell abdicates and retires to Rome and his kingdom is annexed by Rhodri Mawr of Gwynedd.
865 where Burgred of Mercia leads his forces against Rhodri Mawr and captures Anglesey, briefly, from Gwynedd. Burgred is later forced to withdraw as his realm is invaded by the Vikings.
878 the Welsh of Strathclyde in alliance with Kenneth MacAlpin invade northern Northumbria, currently at war with the Vikings, and liberate the Lothian region.
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.

Tenth 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.

925 the Cornish were evicted from Exeter by King Athelstan of England who subdues Cornwall and defines the border of Cornwall with England at the River Tamar.
937 The Battle of Bunanburh AKA "the Great War" reputedly the bloodiest battle ever fought on British soil and where 5 kings died according to the Anglo-Saxon chroncles. The Anglo-Saxon King Ethelstan and brother Edmund beat the combined armies of Olaf III Guthfrithson, the Norse–Gael King of Dublin; Constantine II, King of Alba; and Owen I, King of Welsh Strathclyde. Though relatively little known today, it was called "the greatest single battle in Anglo-Saxon history before the Battle of Hastings."Michael Livingston claimed that Brunanburh marks "the moment when Englishness came of age. Modern scholarship suggests Bromborough on the Wirral Peninsula is the site of the battle.
940 when Idwal Foel of Gwynedd invaded England and was driven back and later deprived of his lands.
943 A combined English and Scottish attack on the Welsh Kingdom of Strathclyde results in the slaying Dyfnwal III of Strathclyde the reputed "last king of the Cumbrians" at a site in Cumberland now called Dunmail Raise. Strathclyde is divided between England and Scotland.
962 King Edgar the Peaceful invades Gwynedd.
985 Hywel ap Ieuaf of Gwynedd is killed fighting Ælfhere, Ealdorman of Mercia.

Eleventh Century

A united English kingdom of England is formed. The Welsh are united for a while under the aggressive Gruffudd ap Llywelyn but he is killed in renewed infighting before the Norman Conquest of England. The new Norman masters of England launch the Norman invasion of Wales and ravage the Welsh kingdoms.

1039 Battle of Rhyd y Groes where Gruffudd ap Llywelyn – the recently crowned King of Gwynedd – ambushes a Mercian army led by Leofric of Mercia in Brycheiniog, destroying them.
1052 Gruffudd ap Llywelyn invades Herefordshire and sacks Leominster.
1055 Gruffudd ap Llywelyn allies with the exiled Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia and ravages Herefordshire.
1062 Harold Godwinson, the Earl of Wessex and his brother Tostig start a series of campaigns on behalf of the English crown against Gruffudd ap Llywelyn in retaliation for years of border raids. Gruffudd is killed.
1067 Bleddyn and Rhiwallon ap Cynfyn, co rulers of Gwynedd, invade Herefordshire in support of Eadric the Wild, an English rebel resisting the Norman Conquest of England.
1067 The Normans invade the Kingdom of Gwent and conquer it driving king Caradog ap Gruffudd into exile.
1073 The Normans invade Gwynedd and occupy Arfon.
1085 The Normans launch a wholesale invasion of Wales ravaging Gwynedd and Powys.
1091 The Normans conquer the kingdom of Morgannwg (formerly Glywysing) driving Iestyn ap Gwrgan into exile.
1093 The Normans occupy Brycheiniog and ravage south Wales killing Rhys ap Tewdwr, the king of Deheubarth.
1094 Aber Llech is the culmination of a national uprising across Wales that drives the Normans back into England with the exception of a few castles. Deheubarth makes territorial gains at the expense of other southern realms.
1095 The Normans return but fail to draw the Welsh into battle.
1098 The Normans occupy Gwynedd and Anglesey. They withdraw within the year.

Twelfth Century

Civil wars in 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 their Norman overlords.
1134 Welsh raids into Shropshire destroying Caus Castle.
1136 Welsh Revolt against the Normans driving them from all Wales except the Lordship of Carmarthen.
1137 An army from Gwynedd captures Carmarthen from the Normans.
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 insurgent 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 after adverse weather conditions.
1166 Rhys ap Gruffudd captures Cardigan Castle from the English crown.
1167 Owain ap Gruffudd captures Rhuddlan Castle and Basingwerk advancing as far east as the 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 destroyed by the English.

Thirteenth Century

The primacy of Gwynedd continues up to the middle of the century when a "Principality of Wales" is proclaimed by Llywelyn Fawr. After a period of tumult following the death of Llywelyn's successor as prince, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, Dafydd's nephew Llywelyn ap Gruffudd emerges as a major force in Welsh politics, assuming the title of prince of Wales in 1258 and establishing his authority in Powys and Deheubarth. Llywelyn's death in 1282, and the subsequent capture and execution of his brother and successor, 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.

1211 King John of England launches an invasion of Gwynedd from Chester but has to retreat without making gains. A second invasion later that year, this time from Shrewsbury, leaves the Welsh town of Bangor in ruins; John succeeds in securing the surrender of the prince of Gwynedd, Llywelyn Fawr, who agrees to cede the Perfeddwlad to the English Crown as part of the peace terms.
1215 Llywelyn Fawr in alliance with other princes attacks English holdings across Wales capturing Cardigan Castle, Carmarthen Castle, Kidwelly Castle and many other places. At a Welsh assembly (1216) Llywelyn is, to all intents and purposes, acknowledged as prince of Wales by the noblemen of Powys and Deheubarth. In 1218 the fighting finishes following a peace deal with England.
1223 Marcher lord Hubert de Burgh starts a series of campaigns during which he retakes Carmarthen, Cardigan and Montgomery.
1240 With Llywelyn Fawr dead the English attack. Marcher lords retake the territorial gains made by Llywelyn.
1241 Henry III invades Wales; Dafydd ap Llywelyn is forced to surrender (Aug). The subsequent peace agreement, the Treaty of Gwerneigron, sees the English occupy the Perfeddwlad.
1244 Dafydd declares war; several Welsh raids are mounted on the Wales-England border.
1245 Dafydd's war intensifies. Gwynedd and her allies in Deheubarth and Powys Fadog make few gains in mid-Wales; however, Mold is recaptured by the Welsh (28 Mar). In August the English attack Gwynedd from Chester; defeated by Dafydd in battle, the invasion force advances as far as Deganwy, where Henry is halted after heavy fighting. In the autumn a truce is agreed, and the English army withdraws to England. Dafydd's death in 1246 precipitates a new attack on Gwynedd from the south by Marcher lord Nicholas de Molis which compels Deheubarth and then Gwynedd to surrender. Under the terms of the Treaty of Woodstock, Gwynedd withdraws from Perfeddwlad.
1256 Gwynedd, led by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, grandson of Llywelyn Fawr, invades and annexes the Perfeddwlad. Gwynedd annexes Brycheiniog, Maelienydd, Gwrtheyrnion and Builth (late 1250s). The Treaty of Montgomery (1267) allows Llywelyn to keep these gains. Deheubarth makes territorial gains in the south.
1277 Llywelyn II is declared a rebel by Edward I and the English invade Wales; the First War of Welsh Independence begins. English armies from Carmarthen defeat the princes of Deheubarth, armies from Chester overwhelm Powys Fadog and armies from Shrewsbury retake Maelienydd, Builth, Brycheiniog and Gwrtheyrnion. In the Treaty of Aberconwy Llywelyn is confined to western Gwynedd and Powys Fadog and Deheubarth are broken up.
1282 Gwynedd is drawn into a rebellion in the Perfeddwlad and goes to war against England.
1282 The English invade Wales under Edward I. 16 June – Battle of Llandeilo; an English army in the south is routed, but Edward's forces continue to make slow progress for the rest of the summer. 6 November – Battle of Moel-y-don; an English army is routed on the banks of the Menia Straits. Battle of Orewin Bridge (11 Dec); Llywelyn II is killed in a chance ambush nearby at Cilmeri. Dafydd ap Gruffudd succeeds him.
1283 The last remaining castles in Gwynedd are captured. The royal court of Wales withdraws to shelter in the mountains. Dafydd ap Gruffudd is captured in June and executed in Shrewsbury in October. Gwynedd is conquered. Resulting accords leave no part of Wales other than Powys Wenwynwyn, Edeirnion, Glyndyfrdwy and Dryslwyn Castle under native lordship.
1287 Rhys ap Maredudd of Dryslwyn, a prince of Deheubarth incensed at his treatment by Edward I, leads attacks on English holdings in the south taking back the Deheubarth royal centre at Dinefwr and capturing the Ystrad Tywi. By 1288 he has lost all his holdings but remains a guerilla leader until his capture and execution in 1292.
1294 a Welsh uprising led by Madog ap Llywelyn, a junior member of the House of Aberffraw with estates in Anglesey sweeps north and central Wales briefly capturing Castell y Bere, Carnarvon Castle, Cardigan Castle, Dinas Bran and Denbigh Castle among others. Madog proclaims himself prince of Wales.
1295 Battle of Maes Moydog (5 Mar); Madog is defeated and the Welsh army destroyed. Madog is soon captured and imprisoned.

Fourteenth Century

A period of relative stability punctuated by two significant revolts.

1316 uprising in Gwent and Morgannwg led by Llywelyn Bren the lord of Senghennydd and a descendant of the kings of Morgannwg. Rebels put Caerphilly Castle under siege for six weeks and burn the town. Bren's forces are defeated, he is captured and executed.
1345 an uprising in Gwynedd known as the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre when Henry de Shaldeforde, the king of England's attorney and his men were ambushed and slaughtered by Welsh rebels. Anti-English rioting had begun earlier in 1344 centred at Rhuddlan.

Fifteenth Century

Civil conflict in England and the deposition of Richard II are the background for the national uprising led by Owain Glyn Dŵr who is briefly successful in liberating all of Wales from the England. He is defeated and English occupation of Wales is restored and maintained up to the modern era.

1400 The Glyndŵr Rising erupts in Powys Fadog led by Owain Glyn Dŵr, a nobleman of the house of Powys. Owain proclaims himself prince of Wales (16 Sep) and raids towns in north-east Wales (late Sep); after a few months of inactivity; the revolt spreads across Gwynedd.
1401 Conwy Castle is captured by Owain's men. The Battle of Tuthill ends inconclusively during a siege of Caernarfon Castle.
1402 Battle of Bryn Glas; Owain defeats the English led by Marcher lord Edmund Mortimer who is captured and later allies with him. The English are driven from Wales.
1405 The English launch multiple attacks on Wales retaking many captured castles. In August, Owain leads a combined Franco-Welsh army into England, and reaches as far as Woodbury Hill before retreating.
1409 Harlech Castle, Owain's last stronghold, falls to the English. Edmund Mortimer is killed. Owain leads guerilla raids across Wales and is never captured; he is believed to have died around 1415. Maredudd ap Owain Glyn Dŵr accepts a royal pardon in 1421.

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

^ Wrexham County Borough Council: The Princes and the Marcher Lords

[1] Wrexham County Borough Council: The Princes and the Marcher Lords

[1]