Battle of Bryn Derwin facts for kids

The Battle of Bryn Derwin was a quick but important fight in Wales during June 1255. It happened in a place called Eifionydd in Gwynedd. This battle was unusual because it was fought between brothers: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his two brothers, Dafydd ap Gruffudd and Owain Goch ap Gruffydd.

What Was the Battle of Bryn Derwin?

The Battle of Bryn Derwin was a clash for power. Before the battle, Llywelyn had been sharing control of a part of Gwynedd with his brother Owain. Gwynedd was an important Welsh kingdom. They had ruled together since 1246, after their uncle, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, who was a Prince of Wales, passed away. However, over time, Llywelyn and Owain started to disagree more and more. Their relationship became difficult in the early 1250s.

The Battle Unfolds

The battle itself was very short. It lasted for less than an hour. Despite its short length, the outcome was very clear: Llywelyn won a big victory. After the battle, both Dafydd and Owain were captured and put in prison. Owain stayed in prison for a long time and passed away there around 1282. However, Dafydd was released from prison much sooner. He later became an important part of Llywelyn's government in Gwynedd. He played a key role until he left Wales for England in the mid-1260s.

What Happened Next?

Llywelyn's victory at Bryn Derwin was a turning point. It made him the undisputed leader in Wales. After this battle, Llywelyn led more military campaigns in 1257 and 1260. These campaigns helped him get back a lot of Welsh land that had been lost. His strong leadership brought a time of peace and stability to Wales. This period lasted until the mid-1270s. The Battle of Bryn Derwin was a crucial step in Llywelyn becoming a powerful Prince of Wales.

See also

• Llywelyn ap Gruffudd
• Dafydd ap Gruffudd
• Owain ap Gruffudd

Sources

• J. B. Smith, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd: Prince of Wales (Cardiff, 1998).