BattlefieldsNorman Capture of Pembroke Castle Area
Medieval

Norman Capture of Pembroke Castle Area

1093
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Also known as: Norman seizure of Pembroke c.1093 · Arnulf de Montgomery in Pembroke
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Welsh (Dyfed)
Forces
Welsh garrison: c.500–1,000.
VS
Victor
Normans (Arnulf de Montgomery)
Forces
Arnulf de Montgomery: c.1,500–2,500
Outcome
Norman capture of Pembroke; first castle built; eventual creation of "Little England Beyond Wales"
The Battle

History & Significance

Arnulf de Montgomery seized Pembroke in 1093 — the same year Rhys ap Tewdwr was killed at Brecon. He built the first castle there, which would be developed into one of the most formidable in Wales (and Henry VII's birthplace). The Norman colony of south Pembrokeshire became so thoroughly anglicised that it was called "Little England Beyond Wales" — Welsh was not spoken south of the Landsker line for centuries. The original seizure was one of the most consequential Norman acts in Wales.

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