BattlefieldsSiege of Kidwelly Castle by Lord Rhys
Medieval

Siege of Kidwelly Castle by Lord Rhys

1190
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Also known as: Lord Rhys sieges Kidwelly 1190
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Carmarthenshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Normans
Forces
Kidwelly garrison: c. 75–150.
VS
Victor
Deheubarth (Lord Rhys)
Forces
Deheubarth besiegers: c. 500–800
Outcome
Welsh capture of Kidwelly Castle
The Battle

History & Significance

After King Henry II's death in 1189, Lord Rhys resumed aggressive campaigning against Norman castles in his territory. He captured Kidwelly Castle — the site where Princess Gwenllian had been killed half a century earlier. Rhys's late campaigns after Henry's death were among his most successful militarily, though they strained relations with the new king Richard I and John.

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