BattlefieldsBattle of Gwaith Mawr 722
Early Medieval

Battle of Gwaith Mawr 722

722
Denbighshire, Wales
Also known as: Welsh victory on the Dee 722
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Denbighshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Mercia
Forces
c. 2,000–3,500 Mercia
VS
Victor
Powys (Welsh)
Forces
c. 1,500–3,000 Powys
Outcome
Welsh victory on the upper Dee; Mercian advance temporarily checked
The Battle

History & Significance

The Welsh annals record a battle called Gwaith Mawr in 722 in which the Welsh of Powys repelled a Mercian attack. This is one of the few eighth-century battles recorded in Welsh sources before Offa began building his dyke. The victory may have contributed to the decision to negotiate the boundary that became Offa Dyke rather than continue costly frontier warfare. Location estimated near the Dee valley where Powys and Mercia repeatedly clashed.

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