BattlefieldsBattle of Moel-y-don
Medieval

Battle of Moel-y-don

1282
Anglesey, Wales
Also known as: Menai Strait Disaster 1282 · Destruction of Luke de Tany's Force
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Naval Engagement
Location
Anglesey, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English (Luke de Tany)
Forces
English c.500–1,000; naval/bridge engagement.
VS
Victor
Wales (Llywelyn ap Gruffudd)
Forces
Welsh c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Decisive Welsh victory; English force drowned crossing Menai; sixteen knights killed
The Battle

History & Significance

The most significant English defeat of the 1282 Welsh war. Luke de Tany had built a pontoon bridge across the Menai Strait from Anglesey to the mainland in advance of a planned coordinated attack. He jumped the gun and crossed early, against orders. Llywelyn was waiting with a large army. A rising tide cut off the English from their bridge and they were driven into the sea. De Tany drowned, along with sixteen named knights and over 400 men. Despite this disaster, Llywelyn was killed just five weeks later.

Casualties & Losses

Luke de Tany and 16 knights drowned; c.400 soldiers killed

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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