BattlefieldsBattle of Bryn Derwin
Medieval

Battle of Bryn Derwin

1255
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Also known as: Battle of Bwlch-Derwin 1255 · Llywelyn ap Gruffudd defeats his brothers
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Gwynedd (Owain Goch and Dafydd — brothers)
Forces
Owain/Dafydd c.1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Gwynedd (Llywelyn ap Gruffudd)
Forces
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd c.2,000–3,500
Outcome
Llywelyn victory; brothers captured; Llywelyn sole ruler of Gwynedd
The Battle

History & Significance

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd — the last native Prince of Wales — consolidated sole rule of Gwynedd by defeating and capturing his brothers Owain Goch and Dafydd at Bryn Derwin in Eifionydd. The battle was decisive and brief (lasting about an hour). Owain was imprisoned for twenty years. The victory freed Llywelyn to expand beyond Gwynedd — within two years he had swept through Powys and proclaimed himself Prince of Wales. Location is near Clynnog Fawr on the Llŷn Peninsula.

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