BattlefieldsWelsh Raid on Builth Wells 1260
Medieval

Welsh Raid on Builth Wells 1260

1260
Brecknockshire, Wales
Also known as: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd destroys Builth Castle 1260
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Brecknockshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Builth garrison)
Forces
Builth garrison c.100–200; castle capture.
VS
Victor
Wales (Llywelyn ap Gruffudd)
Forces
Welsh siege force c.800–1,500
Outcome
Builth Castle captured and destroyed; Llywelyn's expansion into middle Wales confirmed
The Battle

History & Significance

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd captured and destroyed the royal castle at Builth in 1260, one of a series of attacks on English positions in the middle March in the years leading up to the Treaty of Montgomery 1267. The destruction of Builth was particularly significant as it was a royal castle rather than a Marcher lord's fortress, representing a direct challenge to Henry III's authority. Builth's later reconstruction by Edward I made it a key base in the 1282 war — and it was near Builth that Llywelyn was eventually killed.

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