Battle of Arfderydd facts for kids

The Battle of Arfderydd (also known as Arderydd) was an important fight in ancient Britain. It happened in the year 573 AD. We know about it from old records like the Annales Cambriae.

This battle involved different armies, and old Welsh stories sometimes name different groups. It seems many allies might have fought together. The main leaders were Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio and either the royal brothers Peredur and Gwrgi, or King Rhydderch Hael from the Kingdom of Strathclyde.

In the end, Gwenddoleu was defeated and killed during the battle. A famous story says his poet, Myrddin Wyllt, went mad after the battle. He ran into the forest and is thought to be one of the inspirations for the wizard Merlin in the Arthurian legends.

The Welsh Triads, which are collections of old Welsh sayings, call this battle one of the "Three Futile Battles of the Island of Britain." The other two were the Battle of Camlann and the Battle of the Trees.

The exact location of the battle is believed to be near Arthuret, in what is now Cumbria, England. This area is close to the town of Longtown.

The Battle of Arfderydd in Old Welsh Stories

The Battle of Arfderydd is mentioned many times in old Welsh writings. These include the Welsh Triads and the Red Book of Hergest. These texts help us understand how important this battle was to people long ago.

Brave Warriors and Loyal Groups

The Welsh Triads describe Gwenddoleu's warband as one of the "Three Faithful Warbands of the Island of Britain." This means they were very loyal. The stories say they kept fighting for a month and two weeks even after their leader, Gwenddoleu, was killed.

Another group, the followers of Dreon the Brave, are called one of the "Three Noble Retinues." They were at a place called the "Dyke of Arfderydd."

There's also a story about a special horse named Corvan. This horse carried four important warriors: Gwrgi, Peredur, Dunawd the Stout, and Cynfelyn Drwsgl. The horse helped them see the "battle-fog," which was the dust cloud made by Gwenddolau's mounted soldiers during the fight.

Poems and Legends

Old poems also talk about the Battle of Arfderydd. For example, "The Dialogue of Myrddin and Taliesin" mentions the battle often. It names many warriors who fought there, like Cedfyl, Cadfan, and the sons of Eliffer.

Another poem, "Apple Trees," says that Myrddin wore a golden necklace, called a torque, during the battle. After the fight, he ran away into the Caledonian Forest.

The poem "The Dialogue of Gwyn ap Nudd and Gwyddno Garanhir" also mentions the battle. It says that Gwyn ap Nudd, a mythical figure, was "at the place where was killed Gwendoleu." This shows how well-known the battle was in ancient Welsh legends.