MEYSYDD BRWYDRO HANESYDDOL HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS IN WALES YNG NGHYMRU The following report, commissioned by Mae’r adroddiad canlynol, a gomisiynwyd the Welsh Battlefields Steering Group and gan Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro Cymru funded by Welsh Government, forms part ac a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn of a phased programme of investigation ffurfio rhan o raglen archwilio fesul cam i undertaken to inform the consideration of daflu goleuni ar yr ystyriaeth o Gofrestr a Register or Inventory of Historic neu Restr o Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol Battlefields in Wales. Work on this began yng Nghymru. Dechreuwyd gweithio ar in December 2007 under the direction of hyn ym mis Rhagfyr 2007 dan the Welsh Government’sHistoric gyfarwyddyd Cadw, gwasanaeth Environment Service (Cadw), and followed amgylchedd hanesyddol Llywodraeth the completion of a Royal Commission on Cymru, ac yr oedd yn dilyn cwblhau the Ancient and Historical Monuments of prosiect gan Gomisiwn Brenhinol Wales (RCAHMW) project to determine Henebion Cymru (RCAHMW) i bennu pa which battlefields in Wales might be feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru a allai fod suitable for depiction on Ordnance Survey yn addas i’w nodi ar fapiau’r Arolwg mapping. The Battlefields Steering Group Ordnans. Sefydlwyd y Grŵp Llywio was established, drawing its membership Meysydd Brwydro, yn cynnwys aelodau o from Cadw, RCAHMW and National Cadw, Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Museum Wales, and between 2009 and Cymru ac Amgueddfa Genedlaethol 2014 research on 47 battles and sieges Cymru, a rhwng 2009 a 2014 comisiynwyd was commissioned. This principally ymchwil ar 47 o frwydrau a gwarchaeau. comprised documentary and historical Mae hyn yn bennaf yn cynnwys ymchwil research, and in 10 cases both non- ddogfennol a hanesyddol, ac mewn 10 invasive and invasive fieldwork. achos, gwaith maes heb fod yn ymyrryd a As a result of this work The Inventory of gwaith a oedd yn ymyrryd. Historic Battlefields in Wales O ganlyniad i’r gwaith hwn mae Rhestr o (http://battlefields.rcahmw.gov.uk/) is in Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol yng development, led by the RCAHMW on Nghymru behalf of Cadw. This will be an online (http://meysyddbrwydro.cbhc.gov.uk/) yn interpretative, educational and research cael ei datblygu, dan arweiniad Comisiwn resource aimed at increasing knowledge Brenhinol Henebion Cymru ar ran Cadw. and raising awareness of battlefields in Bydd yn adnodd deongliadol, addysgol ac Wales, as well as a prompt for further ymchwil ar-lein, yn anelu at gynyddu research. It is due to be launched in gwybodaeth a chodi ymwybyddiaeth o spring 2017. feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru, yn ogystal ag ysgogi ymchwil bellach. Gobeithir ei lansio yn ystod gwanwyn 2017. Mae’r tabl isod yn rhestru’r brwydrau a’r The table below lists the battles and sieges gwarchaeau a ymchwiliwyd. Bydd researched. Reports will be available to adroddiadau ar gael i’w llwytho i lawr o’r download from the online Inventory as Rhestr ar-ein yn ogystal ag o Coflein well as from Coflein (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), y gronfa (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), the online ddata ar-lein ar gyfer Cofnod Henebion database for the National Monuments Cenedlaethol Cymru (NMRW). Record of Wales (NMRW).

ENW/NAME DYDDIAD SIR NPRN YMCHWIL/RESEARCH /DATE HANESYDDOL/ HISTORIC COUNTY

Aberllech 1096 Sir Frycheiniog 404446 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Brecknockshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Pont Cychod (Menai 1282 Ynys Môn 404319 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol ac Ynys Môn) (Chapman, 2013) Anglesey Bridge of Boats Documentary and historical (Menai and Anglesey) research (Chapman, 2013)

Bryn Derwin 1255 Sir Gaernarfon 402322 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Caernarfonshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Bryn Glas (Pillth) 1402 Sir Faesyfed 306352 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Radnorshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Excavation (Archaeology Wales, 2013)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Campston Hill 1404 Sir Fynwy 402328 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Cilgerran 1258 Sir Benfro 405201 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Coed Llathan 1257 Sir Gaerfyrddin 403587 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Carmarthenshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014) Castell Coety 1404-05 Morgannwg 545701 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) /Coity (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Glamorgan Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Coleshill 1157 Sir y Fflint 402325 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (2009) Flintshire Documentary and historical research (2009)

Craig y Dorth 1404 Sir Fynwy 402327 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Crug Mawr 1136 Sir Aberteifi 402323 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Cardiganshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Castell Cymaron 1144 Sir Faesyfed 545328 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchaeau) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Cymaron Castle 1179 Radnorshire (sieges) Documentary and historical 1195 research (Gildas Research, 2013)

1215

Cymerau 1257 Sir Gaerfyrddin 404717 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Carmarthenshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014) Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Castell Dinbych 1282 Sir Ddinbych 545687 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1294-5 Sir Ddinbych 545613 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1460 Sir Ddinbych 545718 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1468 Sir Ddinbych 545720 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1646 Sir Ddinbych 545789 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dryslwyn 1287 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545605 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Dryslwyn Castle Carmarthenshire (siege) Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Carregwastad - 1797 Sir Benfro 308824 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Abergwaun (Border Archaeology, 2009) (ymosodiad) / Pembrokeshire Carregwastad Point – Documentary and historical Fishguard (invasion) research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Gŵyr/ Gower 1136 Morgannwg 404856 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Glamorgan Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Grosmont 1405 Sir Fynwy 402333 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Hyddgen 1401 Sir Drefaldwyn 402310 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Montgomeryshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Pont Irfon 1282 Sir Frycheiniog 403411 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Llanganten) / Irfon (Chapman, 2013) Bridge / Brecknockshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Cydweli / Kidwelly 1258 Sir Gaerfyrddin 404729 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Castell Talacharn 1189 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545245 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Laugharne Castle 1215 545341 (sieges) Documentary and historical 1257-8 545436 research (Gildas Research, 2013) 1644 545746

Maes Gwenllian 1136 Sir Gaerfyrddin 402324 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Carmarthenshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Maes Moydog 1295 Sir Drefaldwyn 403416 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Montgomeryshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Trefaldwyn / 1644 Sir Drefaldwyn 405168 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Montgomery (Gildas Research, 2013) Montgomeryshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013

Mynydd Carn 1081 Sir Benfro 300319 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Castell Newydd 1287-8 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545606 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Emlyn (gwarchae) / (Chapman, 2013) Newcastle Emlyn (siege) Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Newydd 1645 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545768 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Emlyn (gwarchae) / (Chapman, 2013) Newcastle Emlyn Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Gwrthryfel y 1839 Sir Fynwy 405003 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Siartwyr, Casnewydd (Border Archaeology, 2009) / Newport Chartist Monmouthshire Uprising Documentary and historical research (Border Achaeology, 2009)

Painscastle 1198 Sir Faesyfed 402326 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Radnorshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Excavation (Archaeology Wales, 2013)

Pennal 1472/4 Meirionnydd 403495 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Merioneth Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Pentraeth 1170 Ynys Môn 404315 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Anglesey Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013) Pwllgwdig 1078 Sir Benfro 405188 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Pwll Melyn 1405 Sir Fynwy 402320 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Castell Rhaglan 1646 Sir Fynwy 545797 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / Raglan (Gildas Research, 2013) Castle (siege) Monmouthshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Sain Ffagan / St 1648 Morgannwg 307776 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Fagans (Border Archaeology, 2009) Glamorgan Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2013) Twthill 1461 Sir Gaernarfon 403421 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Caernarfonshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro, Hydref 2016 Battlefields Steering Group, October 2016

Welsh Battlefields Historical Study

The Sieges of Castell Cymaron Radnorshire Historical Assessment

Gildas Research

Report No: 100/07 1

The Sieges of Castell Cymaron Llanbister Radnorshire NGR: SO 153703

Report on Historical Assessment

Prepared For: Cadw Plas Carew Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed Parc Nantgarw Cardiff CF15 7QQ

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales Crown Building Plascrug Aberystwyth SY23 1NJ

by Gildas Research 31 Dinas Terrace Aberystwyth SY23 1BT

November 2013

2

Contents

Acknowledgements ...... 4 1. Summary...... 5 2. Narrative of the Action ...... 6 2.1 Prelude and Background ...... 6 2.2 Sieges ...... 7 2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties ...... 7 2.4 Aftermath ...... 8 3. Evaluation ...... 9 3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources ...... 9 3.1.1 1144...... 9 3.1.2 1179...... 9 3.1.3 1195...... 10 3.1.4 1215...... 11 3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources ...... 12 3.3 Site of conflict ...... 13 3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment, ...... 13 3.5 Historical Significance of Sieges ...... 14 4. Bibliography ...... 15 4.1 Primary Sources ...... 15 4.2 Secondary Sources ...... 16 4.2.1 Unpublished Secondary Sources...... 17 4.3 Cartographic Sources ...... 17 4.4 Web Resources ...... 17 5. Map of Site ...... 18

3

Acknowledgements

This report was commissioned by Cadw and the Royal Commission of Wales, and Gildas Research would like to acknowledge John Berry and Louise Barker for their assistance.

Research was carried out at the National Library of Wales, the Hugh Owen Library, the National Monuments of Wales and the staff of these institutions are thanked for their help. Thanks also to Henry Gough Cooper for allowing use of his transcriptions of both the B and C texts of the Annales Cambriae prior to their publication.

This report was compiled and written by Scott Lloyd.

4

1. Summary

An important strategic castle in Radnorshire that was often a focal point for conflict between the native Welsh dynasty of Maelienydd and later the Llywelyn ap Iorwerth and the Mortimer dynasty. The small amount of documentary references makes it difficult to provide much detail to events at the site, but the possible presence of siegeworks overlooking the castle make it a prime site for further work.

5

Sieges of Cymaron Castle

2. Narrative of the Action

The paucity of references to Castell Cymaron makes it difficult to provide much detail to the four dates under consideration for this report.

2.1 Prelude and Background

1144 The Hugh fitz Ranulph of the chronicles can be identified with Hugh De Mortimer (d.1148x50) who was on good terms with King Stephen.1 Hugh worked at expanding his lands westwards into Maelienydd2 and the Brutiau refer to this as his second conquest of Maelienydd, suggesting he had attempted an earlier expansion for which we have no information. The fact that he ‘repaired’ the castle of Cymaron also suggests that it had been founded at earlier date, although whether by Hugh or not remains uncertain.

1179 The Pipe Rolls record that ten pounds was given by the king for the repair of the castle of Cymaron in 1179. Presumably, this was after the followers of Roger Mortimer (1174–1214) had killed Cadwallon, on 22 September, whilst he was travelling back from the Kings court under royal protection.3 This act infuriated the King and Roger Mortimer was imprisoned until 1181, with the castle of Cymaron likely coming under the control of Ralph le Poer, Sheriff of Hereford.4 The ambush of Cadwallon is also remembered in an elegy to him written by the poet, Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr, but Cymaron is not mentioned.5

1195 According to the Chronicle of Richard of Devizes, Roger Mortimer was banished by William Longchamp in 1191 and had his castles and lands seized.6 In 1195 Roger Mortimer returned from his exile and three separate entries in the Pipe Rolls suggest that his campaign in the middle March had royal approval. 7

1215 By early 1215 the Northern Earls in England had joined together to oppose King John and their rebellion culminated in the signing of Magna Carta at Runnymede on 15 June 1215. Llywelyn ap Iorwerth had sided with the Northern Earls and in May took the town of

1 J. F. A. Mason, ‘Mortimer, Hugh (II) de (d. 1181?)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/19347, accessed 29 Nov 2013] 2 W. Stubbs, (ed.), Historical Works of Gervase of Canterbury, (London, 1878–80), vol 2, p. 78. 3 W. Stubbs (ed.), Radulfi de Diceto Opera Historica (London, 1876), vol. 1, p. 437, translated in J. Y. W. Lloyd, The History of Powys Fadog, Vol 2 (London, 1882), pp. 307–8. Further notices of Cadwallon’s death can be found in Henry Richard Luard (ed.), Matthaei Parisiensis Monachi Sancti Albani Chronica Majora, vol 2 (London, 1874), p. 314 and in the Brutiau under the year 1179. Further discussion can be found in P. M. Remfry, ‘Cadwallon ap Madog Rex de Delvain, 1140-1179 and the re-establishment of local autonomy in Cynllibiwg’, Radnorshire Society Transactions, 65 (1995), 20. 4 Remfry, ‘Cadwallon ap Madog’, 20. 5 Nerys Ann Jones and Ann Parry Owen (eds.), Gwaith Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr I (Cardiff, 1991), pp. 250–78. 6 Richard Howlett (ed.), Chronicles of the Reigns of Stephen, Henry II and Richard I, vol 3 (London, 1884), p. 407. 7 Pipe Rolls, 7 Ric I, pp. 9 and 108. 6

Shrewsbury, encountering no resistance.8 Only one medieval source states that Llewelyn then proceeded to take the castle of Montgomery before moving on to Kamhawn (usually assumed to be Cymaron).9

2.2 Sieges

1144 The Brutiau simply note that the castle was repaired, and that Maelienydd was subjugated, suggesting some sort of conflict occurred in the area, but not necessarily at Cymaron itself. There is no direct evidence that a siege took place.

1179 The only evidence for a possible siege in this year is a note of the repair of the castle in the Pipe Rolls, probably when it passed into the hands of Ralph le Poer, following the imprisonment of Roger Mortimer. There is no direct evidence of a siege taking place at the castle of Cymaron.

1195 The Pipe Rolls show that Roger had the support of the king in his attempt to conquer Maelienydd in 1195,10 with the payment of £20 to repair the castle and 30 marks for provisions at Cymaron. The Pipe Rolls also note that the Abbot of Pershore was fined for ‘not providing his knights to the army of Cymaron’, suggesting that a large army was gathered there. As Cymaron is the only site mentioned in conjunction with this campaign in both the Brutiau and the Pipe rolls it was almost certainly the main focus for military action. The sons of Cadwallon, who presumably were holding the site up until that point, were expelled from the Castle, although whether this was by a siege or through negotiation is unknown, the site of a large army may have aided any negotiations. This year has the best evidence for a siege to have taken place.

1215 The single reference to Llywelyn ap Iorwerth taking the castle of Kamhawn (usually interpreted as Cymaron) gives no details as to how that may have happened. A siege is possible, but not certain.

2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties

1144 No conflict at the actual castle is noted in the sources, only that it was repaired. If the Welsh had taken the castle at an earlier date, no evidence survives to prove this.

1179 No siege is recorded; the only conflict between Roger de Mortimer and the Welsh involves the killing of Cadwallon, by forces loyal to Roger, whilst he was under the king’s peace. The Anglo-Norman Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey contains an interesting note about thirteen Welshmen imprisoned in the castle of Wigmore following the death of Cadwallon, presumably some of Cadwallon’s men. This information does not appear elsewhere.

8 Thomas Jones, (trans.), Brut Y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS 20 version (Cardiff, 1955), p. 90. 9 Thomas Jones (ed.), Cronica De Wallia (1946), p. 9. 10 J. J. Crump, ‘Mortimers and the Making of the March’, Thirteenth Century England, 6 (Woodbridge, 1997), 119–20. 7

1195 The reference in the Pipe Rolls to the abbot of Pershore not supplying his knights to the army of Cymaron, and the chronicle references to Roger invading Maelienydd with a host, suggests a considerable force was mustered for this campaign. The actual number and composition of these forces is unknown and no casualties are mentioned.

1215 The sole medieval source provides no details as to the forces led by Llewelyn ap Iorwerth at the castle of Kamhawn.

2.4 Aftermath

1144 Hugh de Mortimer continued to expand his dominion over Maelienydd and the neighbouring cantref of Elfael, and the Brutiau notes that he seized Rhys ap Hywel of cantref Bychan in 1145, killed Maredudd ap Madog ab Idnerth, the prince of Maelienydd in 114611 and in 1148 finally ‘plucked out the eyes of Rhys ap Hywel in prison.’12 He does not appear again in the chronicles and is thought to have died soon after 1148.

1179 There is only indirect evidence that any conflict took place at Cymaron in this year. The Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey states that thirteen Welshmen were taken in battle following the death of Cadwallon, but exactly where this took place is uncertain. The Pipe Rolls note that the castle of Cymaron was still in Mortimer hands in 1182.13

1195 In the year following the capture of Cymaron the Welsh continued to come into conflict with the Marcher lords. The Lord Rhys, ruler of Deheubarth, and his forces took the castle of Colwyn (SO 108540) before marching to the castle at Radnor which they took and burned to the ground. Roger Mortimer and fellow Marcher lord, Hugh de Sais, met the Lord Rhys in battle just outside the town of Radnor that same day, but were defeated. The Welsh later seized Roger’s castle at Gwerthrynion in 1202 and burnt it to the ground. He died in 1214 and was succeeded by his son Hugh Mortimer.

1215 The chronicles place Llewelyn and his forces in South Wales in early December 1215. It is not possible to say whether or not Llewelyn and his forces went directly from Shrewsbury and headed south, taking Montgomery and Kamhawn (probably Cymaron) on their way, or whether he returned to Gwynedd and regrouped before heading south.

11 BYT Pen 20, pp. 53–4. 12 Paul Remfry (trans.), Annales Cambriae A Translation of Harleian 3859: PRO E. 164/1: Cottonian Domitian, A1: Exeter Cathedral Library MS 3514 and MS Exchequer DB Neath, PRO E. 164/1, (2007), p. 84. 13 Pipe Roll 28 Hen II, p. 11. In perdonis per breve regis ipsi Randulfo .xxvii. l. et .xii. s. et ii. D. blancorum pro custodia castelli de Camerum et pro operatione castelli de Cnichteton. 8

3. Evaluation

3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources

3.1.1 1144

Although the other events from the life of Hugh Mortimer are present in the B and C text of the Annales Cambriae, the reference to the repair of Cymaron in 1144 is absent. The Latin chronicles, or an earlier work that underlies them both, form the basis for the later Welsh texts known as Brut y Tywysogyon (ByT). This work survives in two forms known as the Peniarth Ms 20 version and the Red Book of Hergest version, both compiled in the late thirteenth century. A third version also exists known as Brenhinedd y Saesson (ByS) that appears to have been written later and both contains less original material and interprets its Latin source differently. This lack of reference in the Latin suggests that the information was added by the author of Brut y Tywysogyon, perhaps from local knowledge.

Brut y Tywysogyon

Pen 20 Yn y vlwydyn hono yr adgyweiryawd hu vab randwlff kastell y kymereu ac ydar ystygawd maelenyd.14 In that year Hugh fitz Ranulf repaired the castle of Cymaron [Cymerau], and a second time subjugated Maelienydd.15

RB Yn y ulwydyn honno yd atgeweirawd Hu vab Ra[nd]wlf gastell Gymaeron, ac y gweresgynnawd eilweith Uaelenyd. In the year Hugh fitz Ranulf repaired the castle of Cymaron, and a second time gained possession of Maelienydd.16

ByS Ac yr atkyweriawt Hugyn vab Randawlf castell Kymaron y Maelenyd a chastell Colunwy. And Hugh fitz Ranulf repaired the castle of Cymaron in Maelienydd and the castle of Colunwy.17

3.1.2 1179

The Pipe Roll for the 25th year of the reign of Henry II notes the sum of £10 being given for repairs at Cymaron castle.

Et in reparation castelli de Camaron .x. l. per breve regis. For repairs to Castle of Cymaron, £10 by writ of the king.18

The Anglo-Norman Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey was written in the mid-thirteenth century and is preserved in a late fourteenth century manuscript, University of Chicago Library MS

14 Thomas Jones (ed.), Brut y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS. 20 (Cardiff, 1941), p. 91b. 15 Thomas Jones (trans.), Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Peniarth MS. 20 Version, (Cardiff, 1952), p.153. 16 Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.) Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Red Book of Hergest Version, second edition (Cardiff, 1972), p. 119. 17 Thomas Jones, (ed. and trans), Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, (Cardiff, 1971), p. 149. 18 Pipe Roll 25 Henry II, p. 39. 9

224.19 It is concerned with the origins of Wigmore abbey and contains information about the Mortimer dynasty who founded the abbey. It contains the following notice of the events of 1179 and uniquely records the capture of Welsh forces.

And since Roger his son and heir, was being held prisoner by the king for the death of one Cadwallon [Sep 1179] who had killed his men, the ministers of the king took possession of the castle of Wigmore with its appurtenances at this time thirteen Welshmen were captured in battle, and were held prisoner firmly fettered in the castle of Wigmore. As their wardens were sleeping one night, they made their escape as far as the abbey, where they kindly received and refreshed with foods and drink, and the irons with which they were displayed in the church, and the Welshmen remained there in peace until they had to leave to go back to their own country without hindrance.20

3.1.3 1195

The Pipe Rolls for Michaelmas 1195 provide the following information, showing Royal approval for Roger Mortimer’s campaign in Maelienydd.

xxx m. ad warnesturam castelli de Camarun per breue eiusdem . que requirende sunt á predicto Rogero.21 Thirty marks to pay for provisions at the castle of Cymaron to Roger. Et Rogero de Mortem’ xx li. De reparation castelli de Camarun. 22 To Roger Mortier 20 pounds to help repair the castle Abbas de Persore [Pershore] xl s. ut sit quietus de misericordia sua quia non misit milites suos in exercitu de Camarun . sicut aummonitus fuit.23 The Abbot of Pershore owed 40s. that he might be quit of his amercerment because he did not send his knights to the army of Cymaron as he was summoned.

Annales Cambriae The battle is mentioned in both the B and C text versions of the Latin chronicle Annales Cambriae preserved in London NA E164/1 (c.1300)24 and London British Library Cotton Domitian A.i. (c.1300), respectively. It is also found in the D text version of Exeter MS 3514 (c.1285) first discovered in 1939.

B-text Rogerus de Mortuo mari castellum Cameron firmauit.25 Roger Mortimer fortified Castle Cymaron.

19 Mary E. Giffen, ‘Cadwalader, Arthur and Brutus in the Wigmore Manuscript’ Speculum 16 (1941), 109–120. 20 The best edition of the Anglo-Norman text can be found in P. Ricketts, (ed.), Three Anglo-Norman Chronicles (Manchester, 2011). The English translation is from the earlier edition in J. C. Dickinson and P. T. Ricketts, ‘The Anglo-Norman Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey’ Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists Field Club Herefordshire, 39 (1969), 437. A further reference to these prisoners is also found in Pipe Rolls 25 Henry II, p. 39. 21 Pipe Rolls 7 Richard I, p. 9. 22 Ibid, p. 108. 23 Ibid, p. 13. 24 For a detailed description of this manuscript see Daniel Huws, ‘The Neath Abbey Breviate of Domesday’ in R. A. Griffiths and P. R. Schofield (eds.), Wales and the Welsh in the Middle Ages, Essays Presented to J. Beverley Smith (Cardiff, 2011), pp. 46–55. 25 John Williams Ab Ithel (ed.), Annales Cambriae (London, 1860), p. 59. 10

C-text Rogerus de Mortun castrum Camaron firmauit.26 Roger Mortimer strengthened Castle Cymaron

D-text Rogerus de Mortuo Mari cum exercitu ad Malenyth uenit, ihique castellum fecit expulses duobus Catwallaun.27 Roger Mortimer came with an army to Maelienydd and acquired the castle there, expelling the two sons of Cadwallon.

Brut y Tywysogyon

Pen 20 Blwydyn wedy hyny y doeth roeffer mortmyr allu ganthaw hyt y Maelenyd ac yr edeilawd kastell yny lle aelwir Kymaron [var. Kwmaron] agyrru ymeith deu vab Kadwallawn.28 And a year after that, Roger Mortimer came with a host to Maelienydd. And he built a castle in the place called Cymaron and drove away the two sons of Cadwallon.29

RB Y vlwydyn racwyneb y deuth Rosser Mortymer a llu gantaw y Velenyd. A gwedy gwrthlad meibon Catwallawn yd adeilawd gastell y Gamaron. The following year Roger Mortimer came with a host to Maelienydd. And after expelling the sons of Cadwallon he built a castle at Cymaron [Gamaron].30

ByS Y doeth Rosser y Mortimer a llu ganthaw hyt yn Maylenyd, ac y gwrthladwyt deu vab Catwallawn o gastell Kymaron. Roger Mortimer and a host with him came to Maelienydd, and the two sons of Cadwallon were expelled from the castle of Cymaron.31

3.1.4 1215

The possibility of Llywelyn taking Cymaron in 1215 is only found in one medieval source, it is not mentioned in any of the Welsh Brutiau or poetry. The D-text of the Annales Cambriae is preserved in Exeter MS 3514 (written c.1285), which did not come to light until 1939 and was first published in 1946. It often provides information not found in other versions of the Annales and is a valuable historic source.

Annales Cambriae

D-text [1214]Lewelinus Nortwalliae, princeps Solopiam optinuit, et castellum de Mumgumbria et de Kamhawn.32 Prince Llywelyn of North Wales obtained Shropshire with the castles of Montgomery and Kamhawn [Cymaron?].

26 Ibid. 27 Cronica Walliae, p. 4 28 Jones, (ed.) Brut y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS 20 (Cardiff, 1941), p. 135b. 29 ByT (Pen 20), p. 75. 30 ByT (RB), p. 175. 31 ByS, p. 191. 32 Jones, (ed.), Cronica Walliae, p. 9, under the year 1214, corrected to 1215. 11

The identification of Kamhawn with Cymaron has been tentatively accepted by most historians, primarily due to the lack of a suitable alternative.33

3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources

Cymaron castle is mentioned by Humphrey Llwyd in his Cronica Wallia, on three occasions, firstly in a general description of Maelienydd and then in his translation of Brut y Tywysogyon for the events of 1144 and 1195, however, it adds no new material.34 The site is not mentioned in the 1586 Britannia of William Camden, or in the additions of Edward Lhwyd to the 1695 revision. Samuel Lewis in his Topographical Dictionary of Wales, published in 1833, is one of the earliest authors to describe the castle and its history at any length.

About two miles from this place formerly stood an ancient fortification, called Castell Cymaron, occupying the summit of an eminence, and supposed to have been originally built by the Anglo-Normans, to protect the territories of which they had violently possessed themselves in this part of the principality, and soon afterwards destroyed by the Welsh, in their continued efforts to repel their aggressions and recover possession of their territories. It was subsequently rebuilt by Hugh Earl of Chester, who, in 1142, obtained possession of the whole of the district of Maelienydd, in which it was included, and was constantly an object of contention between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh, in the frequent conflicts which arose from the repeated efforts of the former to extend their encroachments, and of the latter to repel them. This castle at length fell into the hands of the Mortimers, about the year 1360, and remained for ages in the possession of their descendants. Its site, and the moat by which it was surrounded, may still be distinctly traced; but of the building itself not the slightest vestige is discernible.35

In 1858 a series of articles by Jonathan Williams, appeared in Archaeologia Cambrensis entitled ‘The History of Radnorshire’, subsequently gathered together and published in 1859 as The History of Radnorshire36 and again, in an enlarged edition, in 1905.37 The Royal Commission Inventory for Radnorshire, from 1913, provides a good plan of the site and a description of the remaining earthworks. It also notes that no masonry has ever been found, probably because it was only ever a timber castle, before it was abandoned in favour of the nearby site of Castell Tinboeth (SO09007545) in the thirteenth century.38 A more detailed plan and good description is given in E. A. Downman’s unpublished Ancient Earthworks in Radnorshire (1902–16).39

J. E. Lloyd briefly mentions the events at Cymaron in his influential A History of Wales (1911), but most of the information is confined to a solitary footnote.40 J. Beverley Smith

33 D. J. Cathcart-King, Castellarium Anglicanum (Millwood, 1983), vol. 2, p. 563. 34 Ieuan M. Williams (ed.) Humphrey Llwyd Cronica Walliae (Cardiff, 2002), pp. 74, 153 and 178. 35 Samuel Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales, 2 vols (London, 1833), no page numbers, see vol. 2, under Llandewi Ystradenny. 36 Jonathan Williams, The History of Radnorshire (Tenby, 1859). 37 Idem, The History of Radnorshire enlarged by E. Davies, (Brecon, 1905). 38 RCAHMW, Inventory of the Ancient Monuments for the County of Radnor (London, 1913), p. 73. 39 Edward Andrews Downham ‘Ancient Earthworks in Radnorshire’, surveyed in March 1909, foreword dated 1916. Aberystwyth, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, C401734, p. 22. 40 J. E. Lloyd, A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, (London, 1911), p. 585. 12

briefly discusses the site and provides a good context for events in his 1970 article, ‘The middle March in the thirteenth century’.41 King gathers together references to the site in his invaluable 1983 work, Castellarium Anglicanum and also discusses the potential identification of Kamhawn with Cymaron.42 Paul Remfry undertook a survey of the site in 1991,43 discusses the politics of twelfth century Radnorshire in his 1995 article44 and also deals with the castle in his 2008 work The Castles and History of Radnorshire.45 J. J. Crump discusses the early history of the Mortimer family in the area46 and Hopkinson and Speight cover similar ground in their 2002 work on the dynasty.47 John R. Kenyon provides an up to date account of the site and places it in the context of other fortifications of its type, in his 1996 article for the international castle studies journal, Chateau Gaillard.48

3.3 Site of conflict

The earthworks associated with Castell Cymaron are still visible in the parish of Llanddewi Ystradenny in Radnorshire (SO 153703). It is a scheduled ancient monument and the scheduled area was extended in 1991 to cover possible siege earthworks, to the south of the main castle site, as shown on the map.

3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment,

A search of Archwilio and Coflein did not provide any further evidence for the potential sieges at Castell Cymaron. A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme database also failed to provide any further information. The tithe map, Ordnance Survey drawings and early OS mapping were consulted, but they do not provide any further information. The site itself has never been subject to any major excavation and its archaeology is uncertain.

Williams, notes the discovery of a cannonball at Cymaron and associates it with the Civil war. No record of any action in this area exists and it appears to be a supposition of the then owners, who thought it was used to demolish the stone walls, however there is no evidence that stone walls ever existed on the site. The article also notes the discovery of two earthen pipes sixteen inches long and suggests they were used to get water to the site. The current location of these finds is unknown.49

The castle has been subject to very little archaeological excavation, although plans of the earthworks have been available since the 1913 Royal Commission Inventory. A farm and associated outbuildings now occupy the interior of the earthworks, but are excluded from the scheduling. In 1990 the Cadw management report notes that two mounds were identified

41 J. Beverley Smith, ‘The middle March in the thirteenth century’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 24 (1970), 77–88, especially 78–83. 42 Cathcart-King, Castellarium Anglicanum, vol. 2, p. 563. 43 http://www.castles99.ukprint.com/Essays/cymaron.html [accessed Dec 2, 2013]. 44 P. M. Remfry, ‘Cadwallon ap Madog Rex de Delvain, 1140-1179 and the re-establishment of local autonomy in Cynllibiwg’, Radnorshire Society Transactions, 65 (1995), 11–32. 45 Paul Remfry, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (2008), p. 92. 46 J. J Crump, ‘The Mortimer Family and the Making of the March’ Thirteenth Century England 6 (1995), 117– 26. 47 Charles Hopkinson and Martin Speight, The Mortimers, Lords of the March (Logaston, 2002). 48 John R. Kenyon, ‘Fluctuating Frontiers: Normanno-Welsh Castle Warfare’, Château Gaillard 17 (1996), 119–26. 49 Jonathan Williams, ’History of Radnorshire’, Archaeologia Cambrensis (1858), 506. 13

during aerial reconnaissance by Chris Musson of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.

He suggested that they might be siege works related to one (or more) of the recorded sieges of Castell Cwm Aran (Rebuilt in 1144, 1179, 1195; probably taken several times by the Welsh, in particular captured 1215 and 1262, Cathcart King, pp. 407–8).50

The two mounds are located to the south of the castle on the hillside overlooking the river and the field warden report is uncertain as to the archaeological veracity of the mounds.

On the ground, the mounds are definitely not tumuli, and the interpretation as siegeworks seems justified. Both the mounds have clear views of the motte, the summit of which is about 80m from the lower mound and 130m from the upper, taking a straight line on the map. This would be well within the range of siege artillery available in the 12th and 13th centuries, as far as we at present understand them.51

No further work has been undertaken and it remains uncertain as to how old they are. Archaeological excavation of these mounds may provide dating evidence that could associate them with one of the four possible dates identified for potential sieges at this site.52

3.5 Historical Significance of Sieges

Although the evidence for sieges at the site of Castell Cymaron is only slight its importance as the main fortress in Maelienydd is clear from the chronicles. From the earliest attempts to conquer the cantref of Maelienydd in the first half of the twelfth century it is clear that it was of strategic importance. This explains why it was repaired on at least three occasions and with royal money in 1179 and again in 1182. The Mortimer family played a very important role in the politics of the Welsh march in the twelfth century and their base at Wigmore is only fifteen miles away. The Mortimer dynasty focused their efforts upon Cymaron in the twelfth century, but following the possible sacking of the castle by Llywelyn in 1215 they moved their attention to Cefnllys and Dinbod, so we hear no more of Cymaron.

The potential siegeworks at Cymaron are a rare example of this feature in Wales and further archaeological work might provide a date for their construction. The evidence from the chronicle sources suggests that the conflict of 1195, that was well funded and organised, is the most likely context for their construction.

50 Aberystwyth, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales C62231. File of Cadw scheduled monument records for Castell Cwm Aran; castell Cymaron (RD095) , consisting of scheduling notices, accompanied by Field Monument Warden reports, p. 1.The reference to 1262 refers to a line from the Brutiau which states that Llywelyn conquered Maelienydd, Cymaron is not mentioned by name. ByT (Pen 20), p. 112. 51 Aberystwyth, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales C62231, p. 1. 52 Kenyon, ‘Fluctuating Frontiers’, 125. 14

4. Bibliography

4.1 Primary Sources

Annales Cambriae A Translation of Harleian 3859: PRO E. 164/1: Cottonian Domitian, A1: Exeter Cathedral Library MS 3514 and MS Exchequer DB Neath, PRO E. 164/1, translated by Paul Remfry (2007).

Annales Cambriae edited by John Williams ab Ithel (London, 1860).

Annales Cambriae edited and translated by Henry Gough Cooper (Forthcoming).

Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, edited and translated by Thomas Jones, (Cardiff, 1971).

Brut y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS. 20 edited by Thomas Jones (Cardiff, 1941).

Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Peniarth MS. 20 Version, translated by Thomas Jones (Cardiff, 1952).

Brut y Tywysogyon or The Chronicle of the Princes: Red Book of Hergest Version, edited and translated by Thomas Jones, second edition (Cardiff, 1972).

Chronicle of Richard of Devizes edited by Richard Howlett in Chronicles of the Reigns of Stephen, Henry II and Richard I, vol 3 (London, 1884).

Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey edited by P. Ricketts in Three Anglo-Norman Chronicles (Manchester, 2011).

Cronica de Wallia edited by Thomas Jones, (1946).

Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr, edited by Nerys Ann Jones and Ann Parry Owen in Gwaith Cynddelw Brydydd Mawr I (Cardiff, 1991).

Gervase of Canterbury, in W. Stubbs, (ed.), Historical Works of Gervase of Canterbury, 2 vols (London, 1878–80).

The Great Roll of the Pipe for the Seventh Year of the Reign of King Richard the First Michaelmas 1195 (Pipe Roll 41) edited by Doris M. Stenton (London, 1929). Pipe Roll – 7 Richard I.

The Great Roll of the Pipe for the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Henry the second A.D. 1178-1179. (London, 1907) Pipe Roll – 25 Henry II.

Matthew Paris edited by Henry Richard Luard in Matthaei Parisiensis Monachi Sancti Albani Chronica Majora, vol 2 (London, 1874).

15

Ralph Diceto edited by W. Stubbs in Radulfi de Diceto Opera Historica, 2 vols (London, 1876).

4.2 Secondary Sources

Crump, J. J., ‘The Mortimer Family and the Making of the March’ Thirteenth Century England VI (1995), 117–26.

Dickinson, J. C. and Ricketts, P. T., ‘The Anglo-Norman Chronicle of Wigmore Abbey’ Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists Field Club Herefordshire, 39 (1969), 413–46.

Giffen, Mary E., ‘Cadwalader, Arthur and Brutus in the Wigmore Manuscript’ Speculum 16 (1941), 109–20.

Hopkinson, Charles and Speight, Martin, The Mortimers, Lords of the March (Logaston, 2002).

Kenyon, John R., ‘Fluctuating Frontiers: Normanno-Welsh Castle Warfare’, Château Gaillard 17 (1996), 119–26.

King, D. J. C., Castellarium Anglicanum, 2 vols, (London: Kraus, 1983).

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales, 2 vols (London, 1833).

Lloyd, J. E., A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, (London, 1911).

Lloyd, J. Y. W., The History of Powys Fadog, 6 vols (London, 1882).

Mason, J. F. A., ‘Mortimer, Hugh (II) de (d. 1181?)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, (Oxford University Press, 2004).

RCAHMW, Inventory of the Ancient Monuments for the County of Radnor (London, 1913).

Remfry, P. M., ‘Cadwallon ap Madog Rex de Delvain, 1140-1179 and the re-establishment of local autonomy in Cynllibiwg’, Radnorshire Society Transactions, 65 (1995), 11–32.

Remfry, Paul, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (2008).

Smith, J. Beverley, ‘The middle March in the thirteenth century’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 24 (1970), 77–88.

Williams, Ieuan M., (ed.) Humphrey Llwyd Cronica Walliae (Cardiff, 2002).

Williams, Jonathan, ‘History of Radnorshire’, Archaeologia Cambrensis (1858), 1–9, 187–95 233–45, 351–68, 469–625.

Williams, Jonathan, The History of Radnorshire (Tenby, 1859).

Williams, Jonathan, The History of Radnorshire, enlarged by E. Davies, (Brecon, 1905).

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4.2.1 Unpublished Secondary Sources

Aberystwyth, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales C62231. File of Cadw scheduled monument records for Castell Cwm Aran;castell Cymaron (RD095) , consisting of scheduling notices, accompanied by Field Monument Warden reports

Aberystwyth, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, C401734. Edward Andrews Downham ‘Ancient Earthworks in Radnorshire’.

4.3 Cartographic Sources

1817 Llandrindod (Ordnance Survey Drawing 197).

1839 Llanddewi Ystradenni Tithe Map and Schedule (#1105)

4.4 Web Resources

Archwilio www.archwilio.net

Coflein www.coflein.org.uk

Portable Antiquities Scheme Database http://finds.org.uk/database/search/advanced

Peoples Collection Wales www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/Places/FullMap

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5. Map of Site

Boundary of Area of interest

Siegeworks

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales. Licence number: 100020548, 2013.

Figure 1: Location Map indicating sites associated with the sieges of Cymaron Castle.