BattlefieldsWelsh Siege of Gloucester 1055
Early Medieval

Welsh Siege of Gloucester 1055

1055
Gloucestershire, England
Also known as: Gruffudd ap Llywelyn burns Hereford 1055
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Gloucestershire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Ralph the Timid, Earl of Hereford)
Forces
English garrison and forces under Ralph the Timid (c. 1,500–2,000).
VS
Victor
Wales (Gruffudd ap Llywelyn)
Forces
Welsh forces under Gruffudd ap Llywelyn with Irish-Norse allies (c. 2,000–3,000)
Outcome
Hereford sacked and burned; Welsh advance threatens Gloucester; Harold sent to restore order
The Battle

History & Significance

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn with Irish-Norse allies destroyed the English force at Hereford and burned the city including the cathedral. He briefly threatened Gloucester. Harold Godwinson had to be sent to restore order and build a new fortification. Ralph the Timid earned his nickname by ordering his English soldiers to fight on horseback in the Norman style, resulting in their rout. Hereford's sack was the most dramatic Welsh success on English soil since the seventh century.

Casualties & Losses

Cathedral burned; significant English casualties

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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