BattlefieldsAttack on Hawarden Castle
Medieval

Attack on Hawarden Castle

1282
Flintshire, Wales
Also known as: Palm Sunday Attack 1282 · Dafydd ap Gruffudd starts the Second Welsh War
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Flintshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English (Hawarden garrison)
Forces
Hawarden garrison c.50–100; surprise castle attack.
VS
Victor
Wales (Dafydd ap Gruffudd)
Forces
Dafydd c.500–1,000
Outcome
Welsh capture of Hawarden; English constable taken prisoner; Welsh war begins
The Battle

History & Significance

On Palm Sunday 21 March 1282, Dafydd ap Gruffudd — Llywelyn's brother and a former English ally — attacked Hawarden Castle in Flintshire, capturing the English constable Roger de Clifford. Simultaneously Welsh forces attacked Flint, Rhuddlan and other castles across the north. Dafydd's sudden attack triggered the Second Welsh War — but he had not told his brother Llywelyn in advance. Llywelyn reluctantly joined the revolt he had not planned. Dafydd's rash action ultimately ended Welsh independence.

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