Battle of Argoed Llwyfain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Argoed Llwyfain |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Rheged | Bernicia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Urien Reghed Owain mab Urien |
'Fflamddwyn': Theodric of Bernicia or Ida of Bernicia | ||||||
The Battle of Argoed Llwyfain was an important fight in the 6th century. It happened between two early kingdoms: Rheged and Bernicia. The leaders were Urien and his son Owain mab Urien from Rheged, and a person called Fflamddwyn from Bernicia. This battle is mostly known from an old Welsh poem.
Contents
What Was the Battle of Argoed Llwyfain?
This battle took place a very long time ago, in the 500s. It was a time when different kingdoms were forming in what is now Britain. The Kingdom of Rheged was a Brittonic (early Welsh) kingdom. The Kingdom of Bernicia was an Anglian (early English) kingdom. These groups often fought over land and power.
The name Fflamddwyn means "Firestealer" or "Flamebearer." Historians think this might have been a nickname for a real king of Bernicia, like Theodric of Bernicia or Ida of Bernicia.
The Story of the Battle
Most of what we know about this battle comes from a very old Welsh poem. It is called Gwaith Argoed Llwyfain. The famous poet and bard Taliesin wrote this poem. He lived around the same time as the battle.
The poem tells us that one Saturday, Fflamddwyn and his army surrounded the main fort of Rheged. This was a very serious situation. Fflamddwyn demanded that King Urien of Rheged give up. He also demanded that Urien hand over hostages. Hostages were important people, often children, given to an enemy to ensure a promise was kept.
Urien's son, Owain mab Urien, bravely refused. He reminded his father of their brave ancestor, Ceneu son of Coel. Owain said they would not give any hostages. King Urien then encouraged his soldiers to fight.
The battle began, and it was fierce. During the fighting, Fflamddwyn was killed. This was a big victory for Rheged. It meant that Rheged was safe from the Anglian invaders for a while. The battle showed the strength and courage of the Rheged warriors.
Why Was This Battle Important?
The Battle of Argoed Llwyfain was a key moment for the Kingdom of Rheged. It helped them keep their independence. It also showed the leadership of King Urien and his son Owain. The poem by Taliesin helps us understand this period of history. It gives us a glimpse into the lives and struggles of these early kingdoms.
See also
