BattlefieldsBattle of Cefnllys 1262
Medieval

Battle of Cefnllys 1262

1262
Radnorshire, Wales
Also known as: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd destroys Cefnllys Castle 1262
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Radnorshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Mortimer of Wigmore)
Forces
Mortimer garrison c.100–250; castle siege and destruction.
VS
Victor
Wales (Llywelyn ap Gruffudd)
Forces
Welsh siege force c.1,000–2,000
Outcome
Cefnllys Castle destroyed; Mortimer forces expelled; Welsh control of Maelienydd re-established
The Battle

History & Significance

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd captured and destroyed Cefnllys Castle in Maelienydd (north Radnorshire), one of the key Mortimer castles in the middle March. The Mortimers were the dominant Marcher family in this area and the loss of Cefnllys was a major blow to English power in central Wales. Llywelyn followed this with a series of further captures in 1262-63, forcing Henry III to the negotiating table and ultimately achieving the Treaty of Montgomery 1267.

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