BattlefieldsBattle of Crogen
Medieval

Battle of Crogen

1165
Montgomeryshire, Wales
Also known as: Ceiriog Valley Engagement 1165 · Henry II's Second Welsh Campaign
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Montgomeryshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Henry II)
VS
Victor
Wales (Owain Gwynedd coalition)
Outcome
Welsh skirmish victories; Henry II's campaign abandoned due to weather and Welsh resistance
The Battle

History & Significance

Henry II launched his most ambitious invasion of Wales in 1165, assembling an army at Oswestry and advancing through the Ceiriog Valley toward Berwyn. All the Welsh princes united under Owain Gwynedd — a remarkable coalition. The Welsh mounted hit-and-run attacks in the Ceiriog forest. Then the Berwyn Mountains were struck by catastrophic late-summer storms. Henry retreated, blinded Welsh hostages in revenge, and never invaded Wales again. The Ceiriog valley engagement is sometimes called the "Battle of Crogen." Weather won the war for Wales.

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