Norman invasion of Wales facts for kids

The Norman invasion of Wales began soon after the Normans took over England. This happened when William the Conqueror believed he had a right to rule England.

At first (from 1067 to 1081), the Normans didn't invade Wales with as much effort as they did England. But a much stronger Norman invasion started in 1081. By 1094, most of Wales was controlled by William's son, who later became King William II.

The Welsh people really disliked the Normans. By 1101, they had taken back control of most of their country. This was under the long rule of King Gruffudd ap Cynan. He had been held prisoner by the Normans for twelve years before he escaped. Gruffudd even got some help from King Magnus III of Norway (also known as Magnus Barefoot). Magnus briefly attacked the Normans near Ynys Seiriol in northwest Wales. During this fight, Hugh of Montgomery, 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury was killed.

Under William's fourth son, King Henry I, the Normans were now settled in England. They pushed further west into Wales. This time, both the Welsh and the Normans were more interested in making peace than fighting. A fairly stable situation developed. However, the Normans had a tougher time in southeast Wales than in the west. This peaceful period continued from 1135 to 1154 under Stephen. Stephen was William's grandson and Henry's nephew. He was caught in a power struggle and civil war with Empress Matilda. Matilda was Henry's daughter and his only surviving child.

By the 1150s, Matilda's son, King Henry II of England, decided to fight back. He led his first trip into Wales in 1157. He faced defeat, especially in the Battle of Ewloe near Coleshill. Henry was almost killed in this battle but managed to get back to his own side. He moved against his enemies again in 1163. With the Welsh resistance tired, he gained loyalty from the two most powerful Welsh princes, Rhys ap Gruffydd and Owain Gwynedd. The King of Scotland also showed his loyalty.

Welsh Leaders Fight Back

By the mid-11th century, Wales had been brought together by Gruffudd ap Llywelyn, the Prince of Gwynedd. Gruffudd pushed into Saxon England. He burned the city of Hereford and easily defeated border guards. This showed that England's defenses were not strong enough to stop Welsh attacks.

During this time, Harold Godwinson led his own attacks into Wales to get revenge. After these attacks, Gruffudd's own men turned against him. They killed him in 1063 and sent his head to Edward the Confessor. In return, Wales was divided back into its traditional kingdoms. This created a power gap in Wales. Princes and kings were free to argue over their lands. There was no strong leader like Gruffudd to protect them from Norman attacks.

Early Norman Challenges

It took some time for the Normans to gather enough strength against the Welsh. After the Battle of Hastings, they were more focused on England and Normandy. Also, William the Conqueror didn't originally plan to conquer Wales. He came to claim what he believed was his right: the English throne. This meant taking on the duties of Edward and the Anglo-Saxon kings, including their relationships with Wales and Scotland. However, Wales started to cause trouble by supporting English rebellions against the Normans.

King Henry I and Wales

These movements continued into the 12th century, during the rule of King Henry I. There was a period of relative peace in the early 12th century. England had a lot of influence over Wales, but there wasn't much fighting.

Henry's only real trip into Wales was in 1114. He "sent three separate armies to overpower the aging prince of Gwynedd." However, Prince Gruffudd ap Cynan chose to make peace with the king instead of fighting. During this time, Henry had a lot of control over Wales. He built many new castles and put new Lords in charge.

After Henry died in 1135, revolts broke out again in parts of Wales. These revolts forced the Normans to retreat from many areas. This was most surprising in Deheubarth. According to historian R.R. Davies, "the Normans had made their most striking advances in the previous generation" there. A famous example was the Battle of Crug Mawr, near Cardigan. In this battle, the Normans suffered a big defeat. This period also saw a change in roles. The Normans started fighting among themselves, which was similar to the infighting that had weakened Wales in the century before.

Henry II's Campaigns

By the 1150s, King Henry II of England, Matilda's son, had set his sights on Wales. He led his first trip into the country in 1157. He faced costly surprise attacks and was defeated. This was especially true in the Battle of Ewloe near Coleshill. Henry was almost killed in the fighting but managed to get back to his own lines. He moved against his enemies again in 1163. With the Welsh resistance tired, he gained loyalty from the two most powerful Welsh princes, Rhys ap Gruffydd and Owain Gwynedd. The King of Scotland also showed his loyalty.

See also

• Norman conquest of England
• Norman invasion of Ireland
• Welsh uprising of 1211
• Conquest of Wales by Edward I