Battle of Mynydd Carn facts for kids

The Battle of Mynydd Carn was a very important fight in Welsh history. It happened in 1081. This battle was part of a big family struggle. Different Welsh leaders were fighting to control the kingdoms of Gwynedd and Deheubarth. The outcome of this battle changed Wales a lot.

The story of this battle is written in a book called The History of Gruffydd ap Cynan. This book is about one of the main people who fought in the battle. Gruffudd ap Cynan was from the old ruling family of Gwynedd. He had tried to take control of the kingdom before, in 1075. But he was defeated by Trahaearn ap Caradog and had to escape to Ireland.

In 1081, Gruffudd launched an invasion. He sailed from Waterford in Ireland. He had gathered a group of Danes and Irishmen to help him. He landed near St David's, which is in the south of Wales. This was not in Gwynedd. At the church of St David's, he met Rhys ap Tewdwr. Rhys was the king of Deheubarth. He had recently been forced out of power. This was done by Caradog ap Gruffydd from Glamorgan and Gwent. Caradog was helped by Meilir ap Rhiwallon from Powys. Gruffudd's old enemy, Trahaearn ap Caradog of Gwynedd, also helped. Gruffudd and Rhys made a deal to fight together.

The Battle of Mynydd Carn

The battle took place about a day's walk north of St David's. In the evening, Gruffudd and Rhys met the armies led by Trahaearn and Caradog ap Gruffydd. Reports say that Trahaearn and Caradog had Norman archers with crossbows, called arbalisters, in their army.

According to his biography, Gruffudd ap Cynan wanted to attack right away. Rhys wanted to wait until the next morning. But Gruffudd insisted on fighting immediately. The battle ended in a complete victory for Gruffudd ap Cynan and Rhys ap Tewdwr. Trahaearn ap Caradog, Caradog ap Gruffydd, and Meilir ap Rhiwallon were all killed.

What Happened After the Battle

After the battle, Gruffudd ap Cynan gained control of Gwynedd. He was later captured and put in prison by the Normans for some years. But he escaped and ruled until 1137. He became one of the most successful leaders of Gwynedd. Rhys ap Tewdwr got Deheubarth back and ruled until 1093. These two leaders later played a big part in Welsh resistance against the Normans.

The battle also helped the Normans. They quickly took advantage of this Welsh struggle. It weakened all the main Welsh kingdoms. It also killed three of their leaders. Later that same year, William the Conqueror became the first Norman King to enter Wales. He showed his power by marching straight through what is now South Wales, all the way to St David's. There, Rhys ap Tewdwr showed his respect to William. Rhys accepted William as his overlord, meaning William was now his boss.

The death of Caradog ap Gruffydd split his kingdom. This left it in a mess. It also helped the Normans take control of the lowlands of Gwent and Glamorgan. This led to the collapse of what had been a very powerful Welsh kingdom.