BattlefieldsLlywelyn the Great — Siege of Cardigan 1214
Medieval

Llywelyn the Great — Siege of Cardigan 1214

1214
Cardiganshire, Wales
Also known as: Llywelyn ab Iorwerth captures Cardigan 1214
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Cardiganshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Normans
Forces
Norman garrison c.300–800.
VS
Victor
Gwynedd (Llywelyn the Great)
Forces
Llywelyn c.3,000–6,000
Outcome
Welsh capture of Cardigan; Llywelyn dominates most of Wales
The Battle

History & Significance

Llywelyn the Great's capture of Cardigan in 1214 — while King John was distracted by the campaign that led to Magna Carta the following year — was part of his systematic extension of authority over all Wales. By 1216 he had convened a council of all Welsh princes at Aberdyfi. Cardigan's castle, where Lord Rhys had held his famous 1176 Eisteddfod, was central to controlling south-west Wales.

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