MEYSYDD BRWYDRO HANESYDDOL
YNG NGHYMRU
Mae’r adroddiad canlynol, a gomisiynwyd
gan Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro Cymru
ac a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn
ffurfio rhan o raglen archwilio fesul cam i
daflu goleuni ar yr ystyriaeth o Gofrestr
neu Restr o Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol
yng Nghymru. Dechreuwyd gweithio ar
hyn ym mis Rhagfyr 2007 dan
gyfarwyddyd Cadw, gwasanaeth
amgylchedd hanesyddol Llywodraeth
Cymru, ac yr oedd yn dilyn cwblhau
prosiect gan Gomisiwn Brenhinol
Henebion Cymru (RCAHMW) i bennu pa
feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru a allai fod
yn addas i’w nodi ar fapiau’r Arolwg
Ordnans. Sefydlwyd y Grŵp Llywio
Meysydd Brwydro, yn cynnwys aelodau o
Cadw, Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion
Cymru ac Amgueddfa Genedlaethol
Cymru, a rhwng 2009 a 2014 comisiynwyd
ymchwil ar 47 o frwydrau a gwarchaeau.
Mae hyn yn bennaf yn cynnwys ymchwil
ddogfennol a hanesyddol, ac mewn 10
achos, gwaith maes heb fod yn ymyrryd a
gwaith a oedd yn ymyrryd.
O ganlyniad i’r gwaith hwn mae Rhestr o
Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol yng
Nghymru
(http://meysyddbrwydro.cbhc.gov.uk/) yn
cael ei datblygu, dan arweiniad Comisiwn
Brenhinol Henebion Cymru ar ran Cadw.
Bydd yn adnodd deongliadol, addysgol ac
ymchwil ar-lein, yn anelu at gynyddu
gwybodaeth a chodi ymwybyddiaeth o
feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru, yn ogystal
ag ysgogi ymchwil bellach. Gobeithir ei
lansio yn ystod gwanwyn 2017.
HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS IN WALES
The following report, commissioned by
the Welsh Battlefields Steering Group and
funded by Welsh Government, forms part
of a phased programme of investigation
undertaken to inform the consideration of
a Register or Inventory of Historic
Battlefields in Wales. Work on this began
in December 2007 under the direction of
the Welsh Government’sHistoric
Environment Service (Cadw), and followed
the completion of a Royal Commission on
the Ancient and Historical Monuments of
Wales (RCAHMW) project to determine
which battlefields in Wales might be
suitable for depiction on Ordnance Survey
mapping. The Battlefields Steering Group
was established, drawing its membership
from Cadw, RCAHMW and National
Museum Wales, and between 2009 and
2014 research on 47 battles and sieges
was commissioned. This principally
comprised documentary and historical
research, and in 10 cases both noninvasive and invasive fieldwork.
As a result of this work The Inventory of
Historic Battlefields in Wales
(http://battlefields.rcahmw.gov.uk/) is in
development, led by the RCAHMW on
behalf of Cadw. This will be an online
interpretative, educational and research
resource aimed at increasing knowledge
and raising awareness of battlefields in
Wales, as well as a prompt for further
research. It is due to be launched in
spring 2017.
Mae’r tabl isod yn rhestru’r brwydrau a’r
gwarchaeau a ymchwiliwyd. Bydd
adroddiadau ar gael i’w llwytho i lawr o’r
Rhestr ar-ein yn ogystal ag o Coflein
(http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), y gronfa
ddata ar-lein ar gyfer Cofnod Henebion
Cenedlaethol Cymru (NMRW).
The table below lists the battles and sieges
researched. Reports will be available to
download from the online Inventory as
well as from Coflein
(http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), the online
database for the National Monuments
Record of Wales (NMRW).
ENW/NAME
DYDDIAD
/DATE
SIR
HANESYDDOL/
HISTORIC
COUNTY
NPRN
YMCHWIL/RESEARCH
Aberllech
1096
Sir Frycheiniog
404446
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Brecknockshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Pont Cychod (Menai
ac Ynys Môn)
1282
Ynys Môn
404319
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Anglesey
Bridge of Boats
(Menai and Anglesey)
Bryn Derwin
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
1255
Sir Gaernarfon
402322
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Caernarfonshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Bryn Glas (Pillth)
1402
Sir Faesyfed
306352
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Radnorshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2012)
Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2012)
Excavation (Archaeology Wales,
2013)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Campston Hill
1404
Sir Fynwy
402328
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Monmouthshire
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Cilgerran
1258
Sir Benfro
405201
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Pembrokeshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Coed Llathan
1257
Sir Gaerfyrddin
403587
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Carmarthenshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Non-invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Castell Coety
(gwarchae) /Coity
Castle (siege)
1404-05
Morgannwg
545701
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Glamorgan
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Coleshill
1157
Sir y Fflint
402325
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(2009)
Flintshire
Documentary and historical
research (2009)
Craig y Dorth
1404
Sir Fynwy
402327
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Monmouthshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Crug Mawr
1136
Sir Aberteifi
402323
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Cardiganshire
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Castell Cymaron
(gwarchaeau) /
Cymaron Castle
(sieges)
1144
Sir Faesyfed
1179
Radnorshire
545328
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
1195
1215
Cymerau
1257
Sir Gaerfyrddin
404717
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Carmarthenshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
(Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Non-invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Castell Dinbych
(gwarchae)/ Denbigh
Castle (siege)
1282
Sir Ddinbych
545687
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Denbighshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Castell Dinbych
(gwarchae)/ Denbigh
Castle (siege)
1294-5
Sir Ddinbych
545613
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Denbighshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Castell Dinbych
(gwarchae)/ Denbigh
Castle (siege)
1460
Sir Ddinbych
545718
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Denbighshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Castell Dinbych
(gwarchae)/ Denbigh
Castle (siege)
1468
Sir Ddinbych
545720
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Denbighshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Castell Dinbych
(gwarchae)/ Denbigh
Castle (siege)
1646
Sir Ddinbych
545789
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Denbighshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Castell Dryslwyn
(gwarchae) /
Dryslwyn Castle
(siege)
1287
Carregwastad Abergwaun
(ymosodiad) /
Carregwastad Point –
1797
Sir Gaerfyrddin
545605
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Carmarthenshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Sir Benfro
308824
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Pembrokeshire
Documentary and historical
Fishguard (invasion)
Gŵyr/ Gower
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
1136
Morgannwg
404856
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Glamorgan
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Grosmont
1405
Sir Fynwy
402333
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Monmouthshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2012)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2012)
Hyddgen
1401
Sir Drefaldwyn
402310
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Montgomeryshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Pont Irfon
(Llanganten) / Irfon
Bridge /
1282
Sir Frycheiniog
403411
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Brecknockshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Cydweli / Kidwelly
1258
Sir Gaerfyrddin
404729
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Carmarthenshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Castell Talacharn
(gwarchae) /
Laugharne Castle
(sieges)
1189
Sir Gaerfyrddin
545245
1215
545341
1257-8
545436
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
1644
Maes Gwenllian
1136
545746
Sir Gaerfyrddin
402324
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Carmarthenshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2012)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2012)
Maes Moydog
1295
Sir Drefaldwyn
403416
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Montgomeryshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Trefaldwyn /
Montgomery
1644
Sir Drefaldwyn
405168
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Montgomeryshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013
Mynydd Carn
1081
Sir Benfro
300319
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Pembrokeshire
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Castell Newydd
Emlyn (gwarchae) /
Newcastle Emlyn
1287-8
Sir Gaerfyrddin
545606
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
(siege)
Castell Newydd
Emlyn (gwarchae) /
Newcastle Emlyn
Carmarthenshire
1645
Sir Gaerfyrddin
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
545768
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Carmarthenshire
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Gwrthryfel y
Siartwyr, Casnewydd
/ Newport Chartist
Uprising
1839
Painscastle
1198
Sir Fynwy
405003
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Monmouthshire
Documentary and historical
research (Border Achaeology, 2009)
Sir Faesyfed
402326
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Radnorshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2012)
Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2012)
Excavation (Archaeology Wales,
2013)
Pennal
1472/4
Meirionnydd
403495
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Chapman, 2013)
Merioneth
Documentary and historical
research (Chapman, 2013)
Pentraeth
1170
Ynys Môn
404315
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Anglesey
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Pwllgwdig
1078
Sir Benfro
405188
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Pembrokeshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Pwll Melyn
1405
Sir Fynwy
402320
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Monmouthshire
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
(Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2014)
Castell Rhaglan
(gwarchae) / Raglan
Castle (siege)
1646
Sir Fynwy
545797
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Gildas Research, 2013)
Monmouthshire
Documentary and historical
research (Gildas Research, 2013)
Sain Ffagan / St
Fagans
1648
Morgannwg
307776
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Glamorgan
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2012)
Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd
ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg
Cymru, 2013)
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2012)
Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork
(Archaeology Wales, 2013)
Twthill
1461
Sir Gaernarfon
403421
Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol
(Border Archaeology, 2009)
Caernarfonshire
Documentary and historical
research (Border Archaeology,
2009)
Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro, Hydref 2016
Battlefields Steering Group, October 2016
Welsh Battlefields Historical Study
The Battle of Pentraeth 1170
Anglesey
Historical Assessment
Gildas
Research
Report No: 100/04
1
The Battle of Pentraeth
Pentraeth
Anglesey
NGR: SH 5277
Report on Historical Assessment
Prepared For:
Cadw
Plas Carew
Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed
Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QQ
Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
Crown Building
Plascrug
Aberystwyth
SY23 1NJ
by
Gildas Research
31 Dinas Terrace
Aberystwyth
SY23 1BT
November 2013
2
Contents
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... 4
1.
Summary ......................................................................................................................... 5
2.
Narrative of the Action ................................................................................................... 6
2.1
Prelude......................................................................................................................... 6
2.2
Battle ........................................................................................................................... 6
2.3
Aftermath .................................................................................................................... 6
2.4
Details of Troops and Casualties ................................................................................. 7
3.
Evaluation ....................................................................................................................... 7
3.1
Discussion of Primary Sources ................................................................................... 7
3.1.1
Annales Cambriae................................................................................................ 7
3.1.2
Brut y Tywysogion and Brenhinedd y Saesson .................................................... 8
3.1.3
Gerald of Wales Itinerarium Kambriae ............................................................... 8
3.1.4
Gogynfeirdd Poetry.............................................................................................. 9
3.2
Discussion of Secondary Sources ............................................................................. 13
3.3
Battle Location .......................................................................................................... 15
3.3.1
Rhos y Gad ......................................................................................................... 15
3.3.2
Possible sites based upon evidence from the poetry .......................................... 16
3.4
Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment. ........................................................ 18
3.5
Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle. .......................................... 19
4.
Bibliography ................................................................................................................. 20
4.1
Primary Sources ........................................................................................................ 20
4.1.2
Unpublished Primary Sources............................................................................ 20
4.2
Secondary Sources .................................................................................................... 20
4.3
Cartographic Sources ................................................................................................ 22
4.4
Web Resources .......................................................................................................... 22
5. Map of Site........................................................................................................................... 23
3
Acknowledgements
This report was commissioned by Cadw and the Royal Commission of Wales,
and Gildas Research would like to acknowledge John Berry and Louise Barker
for their assistance.
Research was carried out at the National Library of Wales, the Hugh Owen
Library, the National Monuments of Wales and Bangor University Archives and
the staff of these institutions are thanked for their help. Thanks also to Henry
Gough Cooper for allowing use of his transcriptions of both the B and C texts of
the Annales Cambriae prior to their publication and to Ann Parry Owen for
providing the English translation of ‘Marwnad Meibion Cedifor’.
This report was compiled and written by Scott Lloyd.
4
1. Summary
Following the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, a bitter struggle broke out
between his sons over who would inherit the right to rule the kingdom of
Gwynedd. The first action on this long-running conflict was the battle at
Pentraeth on Anglesey where Hywel Ab Owain Gwyned, the likely nominated
heir was killed alongside his six foster-brothers, by his half-brother Dafydd ab
Owain Gwynedd. The event is mentioned in the Annales Cambriae and Brut y
Tywysogion, but is only located at Pentraeth in a contemporary poem by a
survivor of the battle Peryf ab Cedifor. Another poem by the same poet adds
additional details about the location of the battle and the names of those who
died there. By using this evidence it is possible to narrow down the location of
the battle to a small area in the parish of Pentraeth on Anglesey.
5
Battle of Pentraeth, Anglesey, 1170
2.
Narrative of the Action
2.1
Prelude
Owain Gwynedd had ruled Gwynedd since the death of his father, Gruffudd ap Cynan, in
1137. During his reign he had two confrontations with Henry II, in 1157 and 1165, and
conquered lands in neighbouring Powys. His long reign had provided stability within
Gwynedd through a time of great change and his death was always going to cause a problem
of succession, a matter further complicated for two different reasons. Firstly Owain had
several sons by at least three different women, all of whom would have had something to
gain with the death of their father under the system of partible inheritance (cyfran in Welsh),
whereby every son had a share of his father’s kingdom. 1 During Owain’s reign he had
adopted the Angevin idea of primogeniture, passing on the whole kingdom to the eldest son,
a form of inheritance that came to dominate in Europe from the twelfth century onwards. It is
probable that Hywel, was his nominated heir and this is the most likely cause of the conflict
in 1170. Owain’s widow was Cristina, with whom he had two sons, Dafydd and Rhodri and
the evidence suggests that she was unhappy with the kingdom of her dead husband passing to
his eldest son, born to an Irish woman over fifty years earlier. 2 Possibly encouraged by his
mother, Dafydd attacked Hywel soon after the death of their father in November 1170 at
Pentraeth in Anglesey.
2.2
Battle
The only detailed information regarding the battle is found in the two poems (discussed in
3.1.4) written after the event by Peryf ab Cedifor, a foster brother to Hywel, who survived the
battle. The eulogistic nature of the poems means that the emphasis is upon celebrating the
lives of those who died, namely Hywel and his foster brothers and information about the
progress, or actual events, of the battle is scarce. The poetry agrees that it was Dafydd ab
Owain Gwynedd who was the aggressor and that he killed Hywel with a gwayw (a type of
spear). The names of the dead are noted below in 2.4. The evidence suggests that the battle
was a surprise attack and happened very soon after the death of Owain Gwynedd.
2.3
Aftermath
Hywel and two of his foster brothers who also fell at Pentraeth were buried in the cathedral at
Bangor, probably near the tomb of their father Owain Gwynedd who had been buried there a
short time earlier. Following the battle Dafydd managed to place himself in a dominant
position by either expelling, imprisoning or killing his other brothers. Maelgwn was expelled
to Ireland in 1173, Cynan died in 1174, Rhodri and Maelgwn, who had returned from Ireland,
were captured in the same year leaving Dafydd as the sole ruler of Gwynedd. 3 In order to
1
For a discussion of this point see J. Beverley Smith, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the
Board of Celtic Studies, 33 (1986), 199–232.
2
P. C. Bartrum, Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts (Cardiff, 1966), p. 97, 2l.
3
J. E. Lloyd, A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, (London, 1911), pp.
550–2.
6
cement his good relationship with Henry II, he married the king’s half-sister, Emma of Anjou
in 1174 and remained on good terms with the king until the end of his life. His rule over
Gwynedd was short-lived; Rhodri escaped from prison and forced Dafydd to retreat east of
the Conwy where he settled at Rhuddlan. Dafydd suffered another major blow in 1194 when
he was defeated by his nephew Llywelyn ap Iorweth at the battle of Aberconwy and was then
imprisoned by him in 1197. He was released in 1198 and spent the remainder of his days in
his English estates until his death in 1203. 4
2.4
Details of Troops and Casualties
Apart from hywelab Owain Gwynedd the only evidnce for those killed at the battle is a poem
by Peryf ab cedifor called ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’. Peryf himself was present
at the battle but survived to write the poem and names his brothers, foster brothers to Hywel,
who died in the battle. He names Brochfael, Aerddur, Rhirid, Iddon and Addaf as those who
died. A stray verse, probably to be associated with ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Gwynedd’, also
notes the death of Caradog ap Cedifor, almost certainly at the battle of Pentraeth. 5 ‘Marwnad
Meibyon ab Cedifor’ also refers to the death of Hywel by a spear, but doesn’t name any other
individuals. No individuals are named from Dafydd’s forces in any of the poetry. Although
Peryf ab Cedifor only names seven people who died in the battle, the fact that he was related
to all of them suggests that he was focusing upon those relations to the exclusion of others
who may also have been killed. The battle was most likely between the teulu of the two rulers
and Sean Davies, in his discussion of the size of a teulu, suggests that it would be made up of
about fifty men. 6 The fact that Hywel and his foster brothers were so comprehensively routed
suggests that Dafydd may have prepared a larger force in order to ensure victory.
3.
Evaluation
3.1
Discussion of Primary Sources
As the battle was between two Welsh factions it made no impact upon English chroniclers
and none of them mention it. The lack of English involvement also means there is no mention
of it in official sources such as Pipe Rolls etc. The chronicles from Wales provide only the
briefest mention of the conflict and give no evidence that can be used to identify the site.
Fortunately two poems exist by one of the survivors of the battle which provide details as to
the location of the battle, those who fought in it and even the weapons used.
3.1.1
Annales Cambriae
The battle is mentioned only in the B-text version of the Latin chronicles known as the
Annales Cambriae preserved in London NA E164/1 (c.1300). 7
Annales Cambriae B text
4
Ibid, pp. 588–90.
The verse is considered separately due to its change in metre compared to the rest of Marwnad Meibion
Cedifor and was dealt with as a separate entity by its editor in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd I ac Eraill o Feirdd y
Ddeuddegfed Ganrif (Cardiff, 1994), pp. 346–51.
6
Sean Davies, Welsh Military Institutions, 633–1283 (Cardiff, 2004), pp.22–6.
7
For a detailed description of this manuscript see Daniel Huws, ‘The Neath Abbey Breviate of Domesday’ in R.
A. Griffiths and P. R. Schofield (eds.), Wales and the Welsh in the Middle Ages, Essays Presented to J. Beverley
Smith (Cardiff, 2011), pp.46–55.
5
7
Owinus rex Norwallíe et catwaladrus frater suus mínor .scilicet. hoelus filíus
owíní a familaribus fratris suí dauid eodem assistente occisus est. 8
King Owain of North Wales and Cadwaladr his younger brother (died), certainly
Hywel ab Owain was killed by the war band of his brother David, who was
himself stood nearby. 9
The event is not recorded in the C-text version of the Annales Cambriae, or any of the other
Cambro-Latin texts.
3.1.2
Brut y Tywysogion and Brenhinedd y Saesson
The Latin chronicles, or an earlier work that underlies them both, form the basis for the later
Welsh texts known as Brut Y Tywysogyon (ByT). This work survives in two forms known as
Penairth Ms 20 version and the Red Book of Hergest version and compiled in the late
thirteenth century. A third version also exists known as Brenhinedd y Saesson (ByS) that
appears to have been written later and generally contains less original material and interprets
its Latin source differently. In this instance the annal regarding the death of Hywel ab Owain
offers nothing more than the Annales Cambriae.
Brut y Tywysogyon (Peniarth 20 version)
One thousand one hundred and seventy was the year of Christ when Dafydd ab
Owain slew Hywel ab Owain his eldest brother. 10
Brut y Tywysogyon (Red Book version)
Anno Domini MCLXX Dafydd ab Owain slew Hywel, his eldest brother. 11
Brenhinedd y Saesson
Anno Domini MCLXX Dafydd ab Owain slew Hywel, his eldest brother. 12
3.1.3
Gerald of Wales Itinerarium Kambriae
Although not referring to the battle itself, Gerald of Wales does refer to the fighting between
the sons of Owain Gwynedd following the death of their father. The sentence in question did
not appear in the first edition of Gerald’s Itinerarium Kambriae (Journey around Wales) in
1191, but was part of a passage added by Gerald to the second edition (c.1197) of his text.13
The passage places the rise of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth in context, something that would have
been unnecessary before the battle of Aberconwy in 1194.
8
John Williams Ab Ithel (ed.), Annals Cambriae (London, 1860), p. 53.
Paul Remfry, (trans.), Annales Cambriae A Translation of Harleian 3859: PRO E. 164/1: Cottonian Domitian,
A1: Exeter Cathedral Library MS 3514 and MS Exchequer DB Neath, PRO E. 164/1, (2007), p. 183.
10
Thomas Jones (Trans.), Brut Y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS 20 version (Cardiff, 1955), p. 65. [ByT (Pen 20)]
11
Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.) Brut y Twysogyon Red Book of Hergest Version, 2nd edition, (Cardiff, 1972), p.
151. (ByT RB)
12
Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.). Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, (Cardiff, 1971), p. 171.
(ByS)
13
Lewis Thorpe (trans.) Gerald of Wales: The Journey through Wales and the Description of Wales
(Harmondsworth, 1978), p.276.
9
8
I shall pass over in silence what was done by Owain’s sons in our own days, when he
himself was dead or dying. In their desperate attempts to gain the inheritance, they
showed a complete disregard of brotherly ties. 14
3.1.4
Gogynfeirdd Poetry
Gogynfeirdd (literally ‘not so early poets’) is the collective name given to the poets who
wrote in Wales from 1100 until the Edwardian Conquest in 1283. The most important source
for this poetry is the collection in the Hendregadredd Manuscript, written c.1330. 15 Over
11,000 lines of poetry survive from this period and the poets were frequently part of the
household of a Welsh ruler and held a very privileged position. Hywel ap Owain was himself
a poet of some renown and six poems attributed to him survive. 16 Three poems survive that
refer to the battle of Pentraeth and provide our only details about the battle, as the chronicle
references note little more than the death of Hywel Ap Owain at the hand of his brother
Dafydd ab Owain. They are our primary source for this battle. The two most important poems
were written by one of Hywel’s foster-brothers, Peryf ab Cedifor, who was present at the
battle and provides important eye-witness details. The third is a praise poem for Dafydd ap
Owain, who defeated Hywel, written by Prydydd y Moch (c.1203), that lists the battles that
Dafydd won in his lifetime including the battle of Pentraeth. Each poem is dealt with in turn
below.
Marwnad Hywel ab Owain (Elegy for Hywel ab Owain)
By Peryf ab Cedifor (c.1170)
According to the internal evidence of the poem it was written the day after the burial of
Hywel ab Owain in Bangor cathedral, soon after the battle of Pentraeth. It is a very personal
poem written by his foster brother Peryf ab Cedifor, who was at the battle and provides
important details not found elsewhere. The poem names the location of the battle, names
those who died there and describes how Hywel was killed. Due to the fact that the sole
subject of the poem is the death of Hywel at Pentraeth it is given in full. 17
Es blwyddyn ydd wyf neu ddwy–i’th besgi,
Ni’th basgaf a fo mwy,
Dygi im y dygn ofwy,
Ni’m dygi hoed a fo hwy
1.
2.
3.
4.
For a year or two have I fostered thee
I shall foster thee no more
I have endured a grievous sorrow
No more lasting grief will ever afflict me.
Difiau in diau leas
Yn y Penrhyn uch Penrhos,
14
Ibid, p. 193.
Aberystwyth, NLW 6680B. For a detailed discussion of the manuscript see Daniel Huws, Medieval Welsh
Manuscripts, (Aberystwyth, 2000), pp. 193–226. Some of the material missing from Hendrgadredd can be
found copied into NLW 4973B which was written by John Davies of Mallwyd c. 1631.
16
Gwaith Llewelyn Bardd, pp. 103–188
17
Welsh text has been edited in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd, pp. 352–61. The translation is from Ifor Williams,
‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1923), 51–5.
15
9
Ym Mon, I mewn ei hynys,
Ydd ym lleddir a llafn glas.
5.
6.
7.
8.
On Thursday verily was his death
On the headland above Penrhos
In Mon within its island
Men fight with blue blades
Dielid Mab Duw ddygan alaeth––Hywel,
Hawl Echel (och arfaeth
Am ledrad frad freuolaeth!),
Ef a’I frodyr, mawrwyr, maeth.
9.
10.
11.
12.
May the son of god avenge Hywel
Grievous is the lament whose claim was that of Echel
Alas for the purpose his claim for his stolen patrimony
Treacherous was his death together with his foster-brothers, the heroes
Llas arth yn y gyfarthfa,
Llas nerth gwyr, eryr aerfa,
Llas Hywel wyn fab Owain,
Llas gwr mirain uch morfa.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Slain was the bear at bay
Slain was the eagle of the battlefield, the strength of sea
Slain was Hywel the fair, son of Owain
Slain was the handsome hero, above the sea-marsh.
Llas gyda Hywel, hawl amddyfrwys––lew,
Llew trylew, traul diffwys,
(ple do dial dywal dwys?)
Plant Cedifor wyn Wennwys.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Together with Hywel, a hero of vigorous claim
A right bold lion mighty in spending
Where will be vengeance, fierce, complete
Slain were the sons of Cedifor Wennwys the fair
Llad Brochfael wyn a gwynaf,
Lladd Aearddur (a’n cur cof)
A lladd Rhirid (a’m llid llif)
A lladd Iddon ac Addaf.
21.
22.
23.
24.
It is the slaying of gentle Brochfael I bewail
It is remembering the slaying of Aerddur that wears me away
It is the slaying of Rhirid that tortures me
And the slaying of Iddon and Addaf.
Brochfael ac Iddon, brodorion––Hywel,
A holynt gerddorion,
10
Rhy’u llas a llafnau rhuddion
Ar lles draig yn llys dragon.
25.
26.
27.
28.
Brochfael and Iddon, brothers of Hywel
Whom minstrels were want to praise
They have been slain with red blades
For the sake of a prince in the court of a ruler.
Can eddyw Aerddur yn arddyfrwys––far
Yn nhrydar, ddar ddiffwys,
Ciliai rhag ei lu Loegrwys,
Cadr fab Cedifor Wennwys.
29.
30.
31.
32.
Since Aerddur is gone there is furious wrath
In the tumult of battle he was a tall oak tree
Before his host the men of Lloegr used to retreat
The brave son of Cedifor Wennwys
Am fyned Hywel, hawl ddiachor––traws,
(Daeth tristyd I’m cyngor),
Yn naear franar Fangor
Doe, a dau fab Cedifor.
33.
34.
35.
36.
For the going of Hywel (stubborn and proud in his claim was he)
Under the fresh turned sods in Bangor yesterday
And the two sons of Cedifor
Sadness has come over my heart.
Fy nghalon a gryn rhag erchlais––y fran,
Dechrau gwan dychrynais,
Gwae fi, pan ‘I harhoais:
Gwayw yn Hywel a welais
37.
38.
39.
40.
My heart trembles at the harsh note of the raven
When the fight began dread fell upon me.
Woe’s me when I awaited it.
A spear thrust into Hywel did I see.
Bran a grey n y gyfarthfa,
Ni ddarogan im ddim da
Bod mab brenin gwyn Gwynedd
Yn gorwedd yn yr aerfa.
41.
42.
43.
44.
A raven croaks on the battlefield
It bodes me no good
That the fair son of the king of Gwynedd
Lies fallen in the fight.
11
Marwnad Meibion Cedifor (Elegy for the sons of Cedifor)
by Peryf Cedifor (1170)
This poem was written soon after the battle by Peryf ab Cedifor who fought alongside Hywel
and provides information for the location of the battle, those killed and how Hywel was slain.
The poem is only concerned with the events at Pentraeth therefore it is given in full. 18
Relevant details will be discussed below.
Tra fuam ein saith, trisaith – ni’n beiddai,
Ni’n ciliai cyn ein llaith;
Nid oes, ysywaeth, o’r saith
Namyn tri trin ddiolaeth.
1.
2.
3.
4.
While we were seven, thrice seven could not defy us,
they could not cause us to flee before our death;
of the seven, alas, are left
but three who do not shun battle.
Seithwyr y buam, dinam, – digythrudd,
Digyfludd eu cyflam,
Seithwyr ffyrf ffo ddiadlam,
Saith gynt ni gymerynt gam
5.
6.
7.
8.
We were seven warriors, faultless and unstirred,
whose onslaught could not be restrained,
seven steadfast men from whom there was nowhere to flee,
seven, once, who suffered no wrong.
Can eddyw Hywel, hwyl ddi-oddef – cad
(Cydfuam gyd ag ef),
Handym oll goll gyfaddef,
Handid tegach teulu nef.
9. Since Hywel has gone, he with a mission in battle,
10. (we were with him),
11. we all acknowledge the loss,
12. heaven’s host will now be fairer.
Meibion Cedifor, cyd ehelaeth – blant,
Yn y pant uch Pentraeth,
Buant brwysgion, braisg arfaeth,
Buant briw ger eu brawd-faeth.
13. The sons of Cedifor (children who are generous to each other)
14. in the hollow above Pentraeth,
15. they were lively, sturdy in their purpose,
16. they were injured alongside their foster brother.
18
I am very grateful to Ann Parry Owen for providing the medieval Welsh text in modern orthography and the
English translation. An edition of the poem with detailed notes can be found in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd, pp.
339–45.
12
Yn y berwid brad Brython – anghristiawn
O Gristin a’i meibion,
Ni bo dyn ym myw ym Môn
O’r Brochfaeliaid brychfoelion.
17. Where unchristian treason was brewed against the Brython
18. by Cristin and her sons,
19. may none remain living in Anglesey
20. of Brochfael’s bald and freckled clan.
Er a ddêl o dda o ddala tir – present,
Preswylfod anghywir,
 gwayw, gwae Ddafydd enwir!
Gwân gwalch rhyfel, Hywel hir.
21. However much wealth comes from holding land in this world
22. which is a deceitful abode,
23. it was with a spear (woe to evil Dafydd!)
24. that the war hawk was pierced, tall Hywel.
Mawl Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd (In praise of Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd)
By Llywelyn ap Llywarch, (Prydydd y Moch) (c.1203)
This poem of 175 lines was written following the death of Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd,
c.1203 and refers to events throughout his life. Many of the battles he was victorious in are
included and Pentraeth is briefly mentioned. 19 Although it adds nothing in way of details it
does confirm that the battle was, over thirty years later, still referred to as taking place at
Pentraeth.
3.2
Discussion of Secondary Sources
No further references to the battle appear until the first English translation was made of Brut
y Tywysogion by Humphrey Llwyd in 1559 entitled Cronica Wallia. The work was
undertaken with the intention of publishing it, but Llwyd died in 1568 with the work still
unpublished. Although the original manuscript is lost at least three contemporary copies are
known and these were edited by Williams in 2002. Llwyd did more than just translate Brut y
Tywysogyon he frequently added his own interpretation on events as the quote below shows.
After the death of Owen his sonnes fill at debate who shulde enherite after him.
For the eldest sonne borne in matrimony Edward or Erwerth Drwyndwn was
counted unmeete for his maime upon his face. And Howell who toke upon him
all the rule was a base sonne begotten upon an Irishwoman. Therfore David
gathered all the power he coulde, and came against Howell, and fought with him
and slewe him, and afterward enjoyed quietly the whole lande of Northwales,
19
Elin M. Jones and Nerys Ann Jones (eds.), Gwaith Llywarch ap Llywelyn ‘Prydydd y Moch’ (Cardiff, 1991),
p.5 line 73.
13
until his brother Ierwerth or Edwardes sonne came to age as shall hereafter
appear. 20
His work was eventually published with slightly updated spelling by David Powel in 1584 as
The Historie of Cambria, the first appearance of this material in print. 21 Powel’s work
became the standard history for Wales for the next 300 years and was reprinted and expanded
upon several times. Nothing is mentioned regarding the battle in Henry Rowlands’ Mona
Antiqua Restaurata [Ancient Anglesey Restored] (1723) 22 or in the second edition of 1766
with notes by Lewis Morris. 23 Celtic Remains was a compilation of Welsh history that Lewis
Morris had spent most of his life working on before his death in 1766. The manuscript
(finally published in 1872) contains an intriguing reference.
‘Y Pant uch Pentraeth, Anglesey, the house of Cadivor Wyddel in 1140. A place
there still called Y Pant’ 24
Morris is obviously quoting the poem by Peryf ab Cedifor which proves that he had access to
a manuscript copy of the poem, as it wasn’t printed until 1801. The date of 1140 for Cedifor
is unique to Morris, as his reference to ‘a place there still called Y Pant.’ Lewis was a native
of this part of Anglesey, but unfortunately he does not mention the site again in any of his
other works and its exact location remains uncertain.
The first appearance of the poetry in print was in the second volume of the Myvyrian
Archaiology in 1801 which printed all three of the poems. 25 It is only at this point that the
name Pentraeth became known to a wider audience. The Myvyrian Archaiology also printed
the Brut Aberpergwm a variant version of Brut y Tywsogyon. Suspicions as to its authenticity
were noted early on and later research showed that it was a product of no earlier than the
sixteenth century and modern scholarship considers it a forgery. The work can be found
referred to frequently in the works of the nineteenth century and has recently been widely
used on the internet, leading to much confusion. An English translation of the text was
prepared by Aneirin Owen in 1845 and was printed alongside the Welsh text from the
Myvyrian Archaiology as a supplement to Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1864, under the title
The Gwentian Chroncle. The entry regarding the conflict is given below.
A.D. 1169.—Owain, prince of Gwynedd, died, having reigned thirty-two years,
after which a contention arose between his sons as to which should succeed him;
but Hywel, son of Owain, took the government upon himself, because he was
the eldest,—his mother was Pyvog, daughter of an honourable lord in Ireland.
And after ruling the principality in peace for two years, his father-in-law died,
and he went to Ireland to take possession of the territory belonging to him in
right of his mother and wife, for she was a sole heiress. And while he was there,
his brother David, son of Owain, collected his mother's kin,—she was Crisiant,
daughter of Goronwy, son of Owain, son of Ednywain,—and many others joined
him who disliked Hywel. And when he saw this powerful support, he took upon
20
Ieuan M. Williams (ed.) Humphrey Llwyd Cronica Walliae (Cardiff, 2002), p. 167.
David Powel, The Historie of Cambria (London, 1584), p. 227.
22
Henry Rowlands, Mona Antiqua Restaurata (Dublin, 1723).
23
Idem, Mona Antiqua Restaurata, second edition with notes by Lewis Morris (Dublin, 1766).
24
D. Silvan Evans (ed.), Celtic Remains by Lewis Morris (London, 1878), pp. 342–3.
25
The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, 3 vols (London (1801–07), Vol. 1, pp. 279–81 for ‘Marwnad Dafydd ab
Oawin’; p. 418 for ‘Marwnad Meibion Cedifor’ and p. 524 for ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd.’
21
14
himself the government, and subjugated Gwynedd ; which Hywel hearing, he
came immediately to Gwynedd, and took the field against his brother, although
the forces of David were much more numerous than those of Hywel ; and after a
hard fight, Hywel and his men were put to flight, and he was sorely wounded
below his ribs ; but his brother E-hirid carried him to a ship, and from thence to
Ireland, where Hywel died; and he gave to his brother Rhirid his territory
there. 26
This narrative of Hywel reigning over Gwynedd for two years and then going to Ireland
before returning, then fighting Dafydd and returning once more to Ireland, where he died
from his wounds, counters all other sources and cannot be relied upon. The text provides no
evidence as to the site of the battle.
In 1904 the discovery of four stone lined graves in the parish of Pentraeth were associated
with the battle by Harold Hughes in his article for Archaeologia Cambrensis, discussed
below. John Lloyd in his History of Wales (1911) refers to Hughes’ article and quotes the ‘y
Pant Uch Pentreath’ section from Peryf ab Cedifor’s poem in his two sentences about the
conflict. The poetry came under closer scrutiny by Ifor Williams in his 1923 article on it for
the Anglesey Antiquarian society where he translates the work and provides a detailed
discussion of the poems. 27 Numerous books covering the period and the military aspects of
Welsh history mention the battle but all exclusively draw upon either Lloyd, or the Thomas
Jones editions of Brut y Tywysogyon and add nothing. The poems were edited to a modern
standard in the seven volume Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion between 1991 and 1995 and
provided with detailed accompanying notes. One of these notes draws attention to a farm
called Penrhyn, in Pentraeth, as a possible interpretation of the available evidence. The life
and work of Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd was the subject of an edited collection of articles in
2009, but the battle is once again mentioned only briefly. 28
3.3
Battle Location
Two of the poems provide clues as to the location of the battle, but no single location fits all
of the evidence and several possible interpretations are discussed below. Only one location
has been previously suggested in historical works.
3.3.1
Rhos y Gad
J. E. Lloyd located the battle at Rhos y Gad (Moor of the Battle) in the parish of
Llanbedrgoch, on the basis of the 1904 article by Hughes that associated the discovery of four
stone lined graves in a quarry near the farm of Rhos y Gad with the twelfth-century battle.
The graves no longer survive and the description and illustration of them by Hughes would
likely be interpreted differently today. Longley discusses other similar finds in Wales and
notes that carbon-dating has produced a date range of A. D.500–1050 for them making a late
twelfth century date unlikely. 29 Hughes also notes that human remains had been found in the
26
Aneirin Owen (trans.), The Gwentian Chronicle, (London, 1864), p. 133
Ifor Williams, ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society
(1923), 51–5.
28
Nerys Ann Jones (ed.), Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd (Cardiff, 2009), p. 14.
29
Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the Early Medieval
Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), p.105–32. The site is mentioned in gazetteer and sourced back to 1904 article
by Hughes.
27
15
area between Rhos y Gad and the church at Llanbedrgoch and associates the remains with the
battle due to the name of the farm and nearby field names such as ‘Bryn y Cyrff (hill of
corpses) and Caerau Bodgadroedd (the fields of the forces).’ 30 The farm name appears in an
earlier survey of the parish of Pentraeth as Rhos y Gath (Moor of the Cat) 31 and the change to
Rhos y Gad is likely to be down to the Ordnance Survey, which regularly misspelt
placenames in Wales, with the unfortunate outcome of them becoming the accepted form. 32
However, the field names are not recorded on the tithe map or the 1724 survey and remain
otherwise unsubstantiated. The area around Rhos y Gad is of archaeological interest, but the
evidence suggests it dates from a period earlier than the battle of Pentraeth.
3.3.2
Possible sites based upon evidence from the poetry
The poetry is in agreement that the battle took place in Pentraeth a place named in the ‘Extent
of Anglesey.’ Compiled in 1284. 33 The evidence from the poetry provides three different
lines that contain topographical material to locate the battle, these will be dealt with
separately in detail and then finally looked at together.
‘Pant uch Pentraeth’ (Hollow above Pentreath)
The Welsh place name element pant refers to a hollow or area of low lying ground and the
tithe map of 1840 records only one place containing the element pant, a field at the western
border of the parish near the house of Ty Fry. The field is called Pant Fudog which could, if
Fudog is a variant form of Fuddug, translate as the ‘victorious hollow’, a rather suggestive
name, but this is not certain and the name is not recorded in any earlier source, making it
difficult to draw any further conclusions.
Earlier records provide further pant names. A field called Llain y Pant is recorded in two
documents, one dated to 1681 34 and the other to 1709, 35 concerning the sale of land
associated with Tai yn y Coed, known on modern maps as Tai’n y Coed. 36 The land
surrounding Tai’n y Coed was surveyed by Lewis Morris in 1724–7 as part of a survey of the
Bodorgan estate, but these field names are not mentioned. 37 One other Pant reference is
known, concerning a parcel of land called Pant y Llan (hollow of the Llan (church
enclosure)) in a document dated to 1512, suggesting it is near the church, perhaps in the
valley of the River Nodwydd, but a precise identification is not possible. 38
One final reference is by Lewis Morris, noted above, to ‘a place there still called ‘Y Pant.’ in
the note on Pentraeth in his Celtic Remains. Sadly, despite his detailed survey of parts of the
parish, the location of this house remains unidentified. The fact that pant can be used in a
30
Harold Hughes, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’, Archaeologia Cambrensis,
Sixth Series Vol. 4, (1904), 82.
31
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579, p. 54.
32
J. B. Harley and Gwyn Walters, ‘Welsh Orthography and Ordnance Survey Mapping 1820–1905’,
Archaeologia Cambrensis, 121 (1982), 98–135.
33
G. Rex Smith, ‘The Extent of Anglesey, 1284’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (2009), 70119.
34
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 559
35
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 567
36
Near the hamlet of Pen y Garnedd at SH533767.
37
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579 p. 58.
38
Bangor University Archives, Baron Hill 987.
16
topographic sense to mean any hollow or low lying area, means multiple sites throughout the
parish could fulfil the description, making it very difficult to draw any firmer conclusions.
‘Yn y Penrhyn uch Penrhos’ (On the Penrhyn above Penrhos)
The name Penrhos was interpreted by Ifor Willaims as a reference to the parish of
Penrhosllugwy to the north of Pentraeth, 39 but another possibility exists, within the parish of
Pentraeth. The first edition one inch to the mile OS map (1840), above, shows a house called
Pen Rhos (SO 526772), just south of the junction with what is now the A5025 and the road
leading to the hamlet of Rhoscefnhir, near the property called Bwlch. The house named Pen
Rhos is also shown on the tithe map as number 231, but is not mentioned in the tithe
schedule. The field surrounding the house is named Cae Mawr Penrhos, thereby confirming
the name. 40 The house is not shown on later mapping which suggests that it was demolished,
sometime between 1840 and 1891 when the next mapping survey was undertaken. No
remains of the building are visible today. The rhos element is also present 400m to the south
in the small hamlet of Rhoscefnhir.
The most recent editor of the poem draws attention to farm named Penrhyn in the west of the
parish, situated on a slight rise overlooking an area of marshy ground called Cors Bodeilio.41
Another example is the nearby house called Cae Penrhyn (SO 499769) and both places are
named on the Ordnance Survey Drawing (OSD 312) of 1822, but no earlier references exist.
The name is worth noting, but it does not seem compatible with the Penrhos identified above.
The placename element penrhyn is most frequently used to denote a headland in a coastal
context, but Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru also notes that it can be used to mean a promontory
or a point, as in a peak of high ground. 42 With this in mind, the high point in the 90 metre
contour line in Coed Geifron to the north, the high ground within the 65m contour due west
of Plas Gwyn and the high ground 500m due east of Penrhos near the farm of Bryn Mawr are
all potential candidates. All of these sites could possibly fulfil the criteria of a Penrhyn above
39
Williams, ‘Marwnad Hywel ap Owain Gwynedd’, p. 51.
Tithe schedule #230.
41
Gwaith Llewelyn Bardd, p. 360.
42
Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, p. 2759.
40
17
Penrhos and it is worth noting that from all three high points it would be possible to look over
the sands or morfa of Red Wharf Bay.
‘Uch Morfa’ (above the sea-marsh)
Morfa is defined as a sea-marsh, estuary area, and in more modern times, a bog or marsh. The
tithe map associates the name morfa to three locations. Firstly the land bordering the
coastline of Red Wharf Bay, the most obvious place for a morfa to be located, near the house
called Glen Morfa on modern maps. 43 Secondly the name is associated with the lowest
reaches of the River Nodwydd just before it reaches the bridge near the shoreline of Red
Wharf Bay. 44 Thirdly, there is an area of marshy land in the east of the parish known on
modern maps as Cors Wiber. 45 The medieval usage of morfa favours the coastal sites over the
inland marsh and the reference in the poem should most likely be interpreted as referring to a
site above, or overlooking, the sands of Red Wharf Bay.
Conclusion
The three topographical clues from the poetry can best be reconciled with the area
surrounding the house of Pen Rhos as depicted on the 1840 OS mapping. The high ground
surrounding it to the north and west could potentially fulfil the penrhyn requirement and the
morfa of Red Wharf bay is visible from these areas. The pant above Pentraeth could be
associated with the Llain y Pant recorded in 1681 and associated with the farm of Tai’n y
coed 400 metres to the east of Pen Rhos. A site in Pentraeth that is on a penrhyn above a
place called Penrhos and also above the morfa, most likely Red Wharf Bay, but also in a pant
(hollow) above Pentraeth is best reconciled with the area discussed above. It is difficult to be
any more precise and the potential area for further research is outlined on the accompanying
map.
3.4
Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment.
Harold Hughes associated the stone lined graves (PRN 5585) discovered in 1903 at Rhos y
Gad (SH 513789) with the battle and this was repeated by Baynes in 1935 who also drew
attention to the discovery of human remains nearby. 46
In a letter dated 13 March 1874 addressed by Mr John Elias of Pentraeth to the
late Mr R Prichard of Llwydiarth Esgob, he states that some trenches full of
human bones had been found in a field near Rhos y gad. 47
The most recent discussion of stone lined graves of this type in Wales suggests that they are
likely of an earlier date. 48 The vicinity of Rhos y Gad is of archaeological interest, but not in
relation to the battle in 1170.
43
Tithe Schedule #831, 832 and 834.
Tithe Schedule #721 and 794.
45
Tithe Schedule #499, 500 and 543.
46
Hughes, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’, 82–4.
47
E. N. Baynes, ‘Some Stone Lined Graves at Llanrhuddlad’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society
(1935), 189-91.
48
Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the Early Medieval
Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), pp. 105–32.
44
18
A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme database records the find of a Roman Brooch in
2003, otherwise nothing else is associated with Pentraeth and medieval finds in the
neighbouring parish are domestic in nature. A search of both Archwilio and Coflein has been
undertaken, but neither have produced anything relevant to a medieval battle. The historical
sources make it clear that the battle was a surprise attack at short notice so there is unlikely to
be any earthworks or other landscape features that could be identified by searching aerial
photography.
A monument was erected where the river Nodwydd enters the sea in Red Wharf Bay (SH
535798) in 1986 by the local civil society to commemorate the battle, with the inscription.
CYNGOR BWRDEISTREF YNYS MÔN
HYWEL AB OWAIN GWYNEDD
TYWYSOG A BARDD
LLADDWYD MEWN BRWYDR
YM MHENTRAETH YM 1170
"CARAF EI MORFA A'I MYNYDDOEDD"
Translation:
ANGLESEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
HYWEL AB OWAIN GWYNEDD
PRINCE AND POET
KILLED IN A BATTLE
IN PENTRAETH IN 1170
"I LOVE ITS COASTLAND AND ITS MOUNTAINS"
3.5
Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle.
The years used in Brut Y Tywysogyon run from March 25, so events recorded as taking place
in 1170 could by a modern calendar happen as late as March 24 1171. This fact is particularly
poignant in relation to this event as Owain Gwynedd died on 23 November 1170. The battle
could therefore have taken place at any time after that up until March 25 1171. It is very
likely that Owain Gwynedd nominated a single heir to succeed him and as his eldest son
Iorwerth suffered from a facial disfigurement and was therefore ineligible to rule, it is almost
certain that his second eldest son Hywel was the nominated successor. 49 The almost
immediate struggle following the death of Owain is illustrative of how contested this decision
was and the following years saw a series of conflicts between the remaining sons of Owain
until Dafydd was victorious following an uneasy alliance with his brother Rhodri. Dafydd
married Emma of Anjou, the sister of Henry II in 1174 and ruled over Gwynedd until his
defeat by the young Llywelyn ap Iorwerth at the battle of Aberconwy in 1195. Following this
defeat he spent the remainder of his life in his estates in England and having defeated the
killer of his uncle Hywel ap Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn went on to rule Gwynedd and at
times most of Wales until his death in 1240.
49
J. Beverley Smith, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 33
(1986), 214–5.
19
4.
Bibliography
4.1
Primary Sources
Annals Cambriae edited by John Williams Ab Ithel, (London, 1860).
Annales Cambriae edited and translated by Paul Remfry (2007).
Annales Cambriae edited and translated by Henry Gough Cooper (Forthcoming).
Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, edited and translated by Thomas Jones,
(Cardiff, 1971).
Brut Aberpergwm in Brut y Tywysogion: The Gwentian Chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarvan,
translated by Aneirin Owen (London, 1863).
Brut y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS. 20 edited by Thomas Jones (Cardiff, 1941).
Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Peniarth MS. 20 Version, translated by
Thomas Jones (Cardiff, 1952).
Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Red Book of Hergest Version, edited and
translated by Thomas Jones (Cardiff, 1955).
Cronica Walliae Humphrey Llwyd, edited by Ieuan M. Williams (Cardiff, 2002).
Gwaith Llywarch ap Llewelyn ‘Prydydd y Moch’: Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion 5 (Cardiff,
1991)
Gwaith Llywelyn Fardd i ac Eraill o Feirdd Y Ddeuddegfed Ganrif: Cyfres Beirdd y
Tywysogion 2 (Cardiff, 1994)
4.1.2
Unpublished Primary Sources
Bangor University Archives, Baron Hill 987.
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 559.
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 567.
Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579.
4.2
Secondary Sources
Bartrum, P. C., Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts (Cardiff, 1966).
Baynes, E. N., ‘Some Stone Lined Graves at Llanrhuddlad’, Transactions of the Anglesey
Antiquarian Society (1935), 189–91.
20
Carr, A. D., ‘Prydydd y Moch: Ymateb Hanesydd’ Transactions of the Cymrodorion Society
(1989), 161–80.
Davies, Robert, The Tithe Maps of Wales: A guide to the tithe maps and apportionments of
Wales in the National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth, 1999).
Davies, Sean, Welsh Military Institutions, 633–1283 (Cardiff, 2004).
Evans, D. Silvan (ed.), Celtic Remains by Lewis Morris (London, 1878).
Feer, Esther and Jones, Nerys Ann, ‘The poet and his patrons: The early career of Llywarch
Brydydd y Moch’ in Helen Fulton (ed.), Medieval Celtic Literature and Society (Dublin,
2005), pp.132–62.
Fulton, Helen (ed.), Medieval Celtic Literature and Society (Dublin, 2005).
Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, 4 vols (1950–2002).
Harley, J. B. and Walters, Gwyn, ‘Welsh Orthography and Ordnance Survey Mapping 1820–
1905’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 121 (1982), 98–135.
Hughes, Harold, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’,
Archaeologia Cambrensis, Sixth Series Vol. 4, (1904), 82–4.
Huws, Daniel, Medieval Welsh Manuscripts, (Aberystwyth, 2000).
Huws, Daniel, ‘The Neath Abbey Breviate of Domesday’ in R. A. Griffiths and P. R.
Schofield (eds.), Wales and the Welsh in the Middle Ages, Essays Presented to J. Beverley
Smith (Cardiff, 2011), pp. 46–55.
Jones, Nerys Ann (ed.), Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd: Bardd-Dywysog (Cardiff, 2009).
Lloyd, J. E., A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest,
(London, 1911).
Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the
Early Medieval Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), pp. 105–32.
Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, 3 vols (London (1801–07).
Owen, Aneirin (trans.), The Gwentian Chronicle, (London, 1864).
Owen, Morfydd E., ‘Byd Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’, in Jones, Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd,
pp. 31–61.
Powel, David, The Historie of Cambria (London, 1584).
Rowlands, Henry, Mona Antiqua Restaurata (Dublin, 1723).
21
Rowlands, Henry, Mona Antiqua Restaurata second edition with notes by Lewis Morris
(Dublin, 1766).
Smith, J. Beverley, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic
Studies 33, (1986), 199–232.
Smith, G. Rex, ‘The Extent of Anglesey, 1284’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian
Society (2009), 70-119.
Thorpe, Lewis, (trans.) Gerald of Wales: The Journey through Wales and the Description of
Wales (Harmondsworth, 1978).
Williams, Ifor, ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey
Antiquarian Society (1923), 49–58.
4.3
Cartographic Sources
1724
‘Survey of the Bodorgan estate’, Bangor University Archives Bodorgan 1569.
1840
First Edition One Inch Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 78 NW.
1841
Tithe Map and Schedule for the Parish of Pentraeth (The Tithe Maps of Wales #69).
4.4
Web Resources
Archwlio
www.archwilio.org.uk
Coflein
www.coflein.gov.uk
Portable Antiquities Scheme
http://finds.org.uk/database/search/advanced
People Collection Wales
http://www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/Places/FullMap
22
5.
Map of Site
Boundary of
Potential site
© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales. Licence number: 100020548, 2013.
Figure 1: Location Map indicating potential site of the Battle of Pentraeth.