BattlefieldsBattle of Brecon — Death of Rhys ap Tewdwr
Medieval

Battle of Brecon — Death of Rhys ap Tewdwr

1093
Breconshire, Wales
Also known as: Battle of Brycheiniog 1093 · Norman conquest of Brecon
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Breconshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Deheubarth (Rhys ap Tewdwr)
Forces
Rhys ap Tewdwr: c.2,000–3,500.
VS
Victor
Normans (Bernard de Neufmarché)
Forces
Bernard de Neufmarché: c.2,000–3,500
Outcome
Norman victory; Rhys ap Tewdwr killed; Norman conquest of south Wales opened
The Battle

History & Significance

Rhys ap Tewdwr, King of Deheubarth and the last significant independent Welsh king of the south, was killed at Easter by Normans under Bernard de Neufmarché near Brecon. His death opened the floodgates — within a year, the Normans had overrun most of south and south-west Wales. The Welsh chronicle says "from that day kings ceased to bear rule in Wales." The Domesday Book was being compiled the same year. The battle transformed the political geography of Wales.

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