After years of campaigning, the Lord Rhys captured Cardigan Castle from its Norman garrison during the chaos of Henry II's failed 1165 campaign. Cardigan was the most important castle in west Wales and its capture gave Lord Rhys complete control of Ceredigion. He subsequently held the first recorded eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle in 1176, transforming a military stronghold into a cultural centre. Henry II had to come to terms with Rhys and appoint him Justiciar of south Wales.
Lord Rhys: c.1,500–2,500 men. Norman garrison: c.100–200 men.
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