BattlefieldsBattle of Hirbarth
Early Medieval

Battle of Hirbarth

975
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Also known as: Battle near Carmarthen c.975 · Death of Owain ap Hywel
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Deheubarth (Owain ap Hywel)
Forces
Deheubarth c.1,000–2,000; pitched battle.
VS
Victor
Gwynedd / Gwent coalition
Forces
Gwynedd/Gwent c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Gwynedd-allied forces kill Owain ap Hywel; Deheubarth succession contested
The Battle

History & Significance

The Brut y Tywysogion records the death of Owain ap Hywel of Deheubarth in an internal Welsh battle. The period after Hywel Dda's death saw repeated violent succession struggles as his dynasty fought the men of Gwynedd and internal rivals. These conflicts severely weakened Welsh resistance to later Viking and Norman pressures. Location estimated near Carmarthen, the principal centre of Deheubarth.

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