BattlefieldsDafydd ap Llywelyn Resists Henry III 1241
Medieval

Dafydd ap Llywelyn Resists Henry III 1241

1241
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Also known as: Henry III invades Wales and forces Dafydd to submit 1241
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wales (Dafydd ap Llywelyn)
Forces
Welsh c.2,000–3,000.
VS
Victor
England (Henry III)
Forces
English royal forces c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
Dafydd forced to submit and cede territory; Gruffudd ap Llywelyn surrendered as hostage
The Battle

History & Significance

After Llywelyn the Great died in 1240, his son Dafydd ap Llywelyn faced a determined English campaign by Henry III aimed at clawing back Welsh gains. Henry advanced to north Wales in 1241 and Dafydd was forced to submit, surrendering his half-brother Gruffudd as a hostage. Gruffudd died attempting to escape from the Tower of London in 1244 — falling when his makeshift rope of sheets broke. His death made his son Llywelyn ap Gruffudd more determined to resist English pressure.

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