BattlefieldsLlywelyn the Great Captures Shrewsbury 1215
Medieval

Llywelyn the Great Captures Shrewsbury 1215

1215
Shropshire, England
Also known as: Llywelyn captures English border towns 1215
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Shropshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Marcher lords)
Forces
English/Marcher forces: c. 1,500-2,500.
VS
Victor
Wales (Llywelyn the Great)
Forces
Llywelyn the Great: c. 2,000-3,000
Outcome
Llywelyn captures Shrewsbury and multiple Marcher towns during baronial chaos
The Battle

History & Significance

During the crisis of Magna Carta 1215, Llywelyn the Great exploited the baronial war against King John to launch a massive campaign. He captured Shrewsbury itself, along with Cardigan, Carmarthen, Cilgerran, Kidwelly and other key castles. He was the effective military master of all Wales and much of the March. The baronial charter gave him an opportunity he used brilliantly. John's death and the minority of Henry III enabled the Treaty of Worcester 1218 to consolidate Llywelyn's gains.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Shropshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Shropshire