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 Battle of Pentraeth 1170 Anglesey Historical Assessment

Gildas Research

Report No: 100/04

1

The Battle of Pentraeth Pentraeth Anglesey NGR: SH 5277

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 ...... 6 2.2 Battle ...... 6 2.3 Aftermath ...... 6 2.4 Details of Troops and Casualties ...... 7 3. Evaluation ...... 7 3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources ...... 7 3.1.1 Annales Cambriae ...... 7 3.1.2 Brut y Tywysogion and Brenhinedd y Saesson ...... 8 3.1.3 Gerald of Wales Itinerarium Kambriae ...... 8 3.1.4 Gogynfeirdd Poetry ...... 9 3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources ...... 13 3.3 Battle Location ...... 15 3.3.1 Rhos y Gad ...... 15 3.3.2 Possible sites based upon evidence from the poetry ...... 16 3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment...... 18 3.5 Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle...... 19 4. Bibliography ...... 20 4.1 Primary Sources ...... 20 4.1.2 Unpublished Primary Sources...... 20 4.2 Secondary Sources ...... 20 4.3 Cartographic Sources ...... 22 4.4 Web Resources ...... 22 5. Map of Site ...... 23

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 Bangor University Archives 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 and to Ann Parry Owen for providing the English translation of ‘Marwnad Meibion Cedifor’.

This report was compiled and written by Scott Lloyd.

4

1. Summary

Following the death of Owain Gwynedd in 1170, a bitter struggle broke out between his sons over who would inherit the right to rule the kingdom of Gwynedd. The first action on this long-running conflict was the battle at Pentraeth on Anglesey where Hywel Ab Owain Gwyned, the likely nominated heir was killed alongside his six foster-brothers, by his half-brother Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd. The event is mentioned in the Annales Cambriae and Brut y Tywysogion, but is only located at Pentraeth in a contemporary poem by a survivor of the battle Peryf ab Cedifor. Another poem by the same poet adds additional details about the location of the battle and the names of those who died there. By using this evidence it is possible to narrow down the location of the battle to a small area in the parish of Pentraeth on Anglesey.

5

Battle of Pentraeth, Anglesey, 1170

2. Narrative of the Action

2.1 Prelude

Owain Gwynedd had ruled Gwynedd since the death of his father, Gruffudd ap Cynan, in 1137. During his reign he had two confrontations with Henry II, in 1157 and 1165, and conquered lands in neighbouring Powys. His long reign had provided stability within Gwynedd through a time of great change and his death was always going to cause a problem of succession, a matter further complicated for two different reasons. Firstly Owain had several sons by at least three different women, all of whom would have had something to gain with the death of their father under the system of partible inheritance (cyfran in Welsh), whereby every son had a share of his father’s kingdom.1 During Owain’s reign he had adopted the Angevin idea of primogeniture, passing on the whole kingdom to the eldest son, a form of inheritance that came to dominate in Europe from the twelfth century onwards. It is probable that Hywel, was his nominated heir and this is the most likely cause of the conflict in 1170. Owain’s widow was Cristina, with whom he had two sons, Dafydd and Rhodri and the evidence suggests that she was unhappy with the kingdom of her dead husband passing to his eldest son, born to an Irish woman over fifty years earlier.2 Possibly encouraged by his mother, Dafydd attacked Hywel soon after the death of their father in November 1170 at Pentraeth in Anglesey.

2.2 Battle

The only detailed information regarding the battle is found in the two poems (discussed in 3.1.4) written after the event by Peryf ab Cedifor, a foster brother to Hywel, who survived the battle. The eulogistic nature of the poems means that the emphasis is upon celebrating the lives of those who died, namely Hywel and his foster brothers and information about the progress, or actual events, of the battle is scarce. The poetry agrees that it was Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd who was the aggressor and that he killed Hywel with a gwayw (a type of spear). The names of the dead are noted below in 2.4. The evidence suggests that the battle was a surprise attack and happened very soon after the death of Owain Gwynedd.

2.3 Aftermath

Hywel and two of his foster brothers who also fell at Pentraeth were buried in the cathedral at Bangor, probably near the tomb of their father Owain Gwynedd who had been buried there a short time earlier. Following the battle Dafydd managed to place himself in a dominant position by either expelling, imprisoning or killing his other brothers. Maelgwn was expelled to Ireland in 1173, Cynan died in 1174, Rhodri and Maelgwn, who had returned from Ireland, were captured in the same year leaving Dafydd as the sole ruler of Gwynedd.3 In order to

1 For a discussion of this point see J. Beverley Smith, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 33 (1986), 199–232. 2 P. C. Bartrum, Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts (Cardiff, 1966), p. 97, 2l. 3 J. E. Lloyd, A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, (London, 1911), pp. 550–2. 6

cement his good relationship with Henry II, he married the king’s half-sister, Emma of Anjou in 1174 and remained on good terms with the king until the end of his life. His rule over Gwynedd was short-lived; Rhodri escaped from prison and forced Dafydd to retreat east of the Conwy where he settled at Rhuddlan. Dafydd suffered another major blow in 1194 when he was defeated by his nephew Llywelyn ap Iorweth at the battle of Aberconwy and was then imprisoned by him in 1197. He was released in 1198 and spent the remainder of his days in his English estates until his death in 1203.4

2.4 Details of Troops and Casualties

Apart from hywelab Owain Gwynedd the only evidnce for those killed at the battle is a poem by Peryf ab cedifor called ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’. Peryf himself was present at the battle but survived to write the poem and names his brothers, foster brothers to Hywel, who died in the battle. He names Brochfael, Aerddur, Rhirid, Iddon and Addaf as those who died. A stray verse, probably to be associated with ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Gwynedd’, also notes the death of Caradog ap Cedifor, almost certainly at the battle of Pentraeth.5 ‘Marwnad Meibyon ab Cedifor’ also refers to the death of Hywel by a spear, but doesn’t name any other individuals. No individuals are named from Dafydd’s forces in any of the poetry. Although Peryf ab Cedifor only names seven people who died in the battle, the fact that he was related to all of them suggests that he was focusing upon those relations to the exclusion of others who may also have been killed. The battle was most likely between the teulu of the two rulers and Sean Davies, in his discussion of the size of a teulu, suggests that it would be made up of about fifty men.6 The fact that Hywel and his foster brothers were so comprehensively routed suggests that Dafydd may have prepared a larger force in order to ensure victory.

3. Evaluation

3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources

As the battle was between two Welsh factions it made no impact upon English chroniclers and none of them mention it. The lack of English involvement also means there is no mention of it in official sources such as Pipe Rolls etc. The chronicles from Wales provide only the briefest mention of the conflict and give no evidence that can be used to identify the site. Fortunately two poems exist by one of the survivors of the battle which provide details as to the location of the battle, those who fought in it and even the weapons used.

3.1.1 Annales Cambriae

The battle is mentioned only in the B-text version of the Latin chronicles known as the Annales Cambriae preserved in London NA E164/1 (c.1300).7

Annales Cambriae B text

4 Ibid, pp. 588–90. 5 The verse is considered separately due to its change in metre compared to the rest of Marwnad Meibion Cedifor and was dealt with as a separate entity by its editor in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd I ac Eraill o Feirdd y Ddeuddegfed Ganrif (Cardiff, 1994), pp. 346–51. 6 Sean Davies, Welsh Military Institutions, 633–1283 (Cardiff, 2004), pp.22–6. 7 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. 7

Owinus rex Norwallíe et catwaladrus frater suus mínor .scilicet. hoelus filíus owíní a familaribus fratris suí dauid eodem assistente occisus est.8

King Owain of North Wales and Cadwaladr his younger brother (died), certainly Hywel ab Owain was killed by the war band of his brother David, who was himself stood nearby.9

The event is not recorded in the C-text version of the Annales Cambriae, or any of the other Cambro-Latin texts.

3.1.2 Brut y Tywysogion and Brenhinedd y Saesson

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 Penairth Ms 20 version and the Red Book of Hergest version and 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 generally contains less original material and interprets its Latin source differently. In this instance the annal regarding the death of Hywel ab Owain offers nothing more than the Annales Cambriae.

Brut y Tywysogyon (Peniarth 20 version) One thousand one hundred and seventy was the year of Christ when Dafydd ab Owain slew Hywel ab Owain his eldest brother.10

Brut y Tywysogyon (Red Book version) Anno Domini MCLXX Dafydd ab Owain slew Hywel, his eldest brother.11

Brenhinedd y Saesson Anno Domini MCLXX Dafydd ab Owain slew Hywel, his eldest brother.12

3.1.3 Gerald of Wales Itinerarium Kambriae

Although not referring to the battle itself, Gerald of Wales does refer to the fighting between the sons of Owain Gwynedd following the death of their father. The sentence in question did not appear in the first edition of Gerald’s Itinerarium Kambriae (Journey around Wales) in 1191, but was part of a passage added by Gerald to the second edition (c.1197) of his text.13 The passage places the rise of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth in context, something that would have been unnecessary before the battle of Aberconwy in 1194.

8 John Williams Ab Ithel (ed.), Annals Cambriae (London, 1860), p. 53. 9 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. 183. 10 Thomas Jones (Trans.), Brut Y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS 20 version (Cardiff, 1955), p. 65. [ByT (Pen 20)] 11 Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.) Brut y Twysogyon Red Book of Hergest Version, 2nd edition, (Cardiff, 1972), p. 151. (ByT RB) 12 Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.). Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, (Cardiff, 1971), p. 171. (ByS) 13 Lewis Thorpe (trans.) Gerald of Wales: The Journey through Wales and the Description of Wales (Harmondsworth, 1978), p.276. 8

I shall pass over in silence what was done by Owain’s sons in our own days, when he himself was dead or dying. In their desperate attempts to gain the inheritance, they showed a complete disregard of brotherly ties.14

3.1.4 Gogynfeirdd Poetry

Gogynfeirdd (literally ‘not so early poets’) is the collective name given to the poets who wrote in Wales from 1100 until the Edwardian Conquest in 1283. The most important source for this poetry is the collection in the Hendregadredd Manuscript, written c.1330.15 Over 11,000 lines of poetry survive from this period and the poets were frequently part of the household of a Welsh ruler and held a very privileged position. Hywel ap Owain was himself a poet of some renown and six poems attributed to him survive.16 Three poems survive that refer to the battle of Pentraeth and provide our only details about the battle, as the chronicle references note little more than the death of Hywel Ap Owain at the hand of his brother Dafydd ab Owain. They are our primary source for this battle. The two most important poems were written by one of Hywel’s foster-brothers, Peryf ab Cedifor, who was present at the battle and provides important eye-witness details. The third is a praise poem for Dafydd ap Owain, who defeated Hywel, written by Prydydd y Moch (c.1203), that lists the battles that Dafydd won in his lifetime including the battle of Pentraeth. Each poem is dealt with in turn below.

Marwnad Hywel ab Owain (Elegy for Hywel ab Owain) By Peryf ab Cedifor (c.1170)

According to the internal evidence of the poem it was written the day after the burial of Hywel ab Owain in Bangor cathedral, soon after the battle of Pentraeth. It is a very personal poem written by his foster brother Peryf ab Cedifor, who was at the battle and provides important details not found elsewhere. The poem names the location of the battle, names those who died there and describes how Hywel was killed. Due to the fact that the sole subject of the poem is the death of Hywel at Pentraeth it is given in full.17

Es blwyddyn ydd wyf neu ddwy–i’th besgi, Ni’th basgaf a fo mwy, Dygi im y dygn ofwy, Ni’m dygi hoed a fo hwy

1. For a year or two have I fostered thee 2. I shall foster thee no more 3. I have endured a grievous sorrow 4. No more lasting grief will ever afflict me.

Difiau in diau leas Yn y Penrhyn uch Penrhos,

14 Ibid, p. 193. 15 Aberystwyth, NLW 6680B. For a detailed discussion of the manuscript see Daniel Huws, Medieval Welsh Manuscripts, (Aberystwyth, 2000), pp. 193–226. Some of the material missing from Hendrgadredd can be found copied into NLW 4973B which was written by John Davies of Mallwyd c. 1631. 16 Gwaith Llewelyn Bardd, pp. 103–188 17 Welsh text has been edited in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd, pp. 352–61. The translation is from Ifor Williams, ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1923), 51–5. 9

Ym Mon, I mewn ei hynys, Ydd ym lleddir a llafn glas.

5. On Thursday verily was his death 6. On the headland above Penrhos 7. In Mon within its island 8. Men fight with blue blades

Dielid Mab Duw ddygan alaeth––Hywel, Hawl Echel (och arfaeth Am ledrad frad freuolaeth!), Ef a’I frodyr, mawrwyr, maeth.

9. May the son of god avenge Hywel 10. Grievous is the lament whose claim was that of Echel 11. Alas for the purpose his claim for his stolen patrimony 12. Treacherous was his death together with his foster-brothers, the heroes

Llas arth yn y gyfarthfa, Llas nerth gwyr, eryr aerfa, Llas Hywel wyn fab Owain, Llas gwr mirain uch morfa.

13. Slain was the bear at bay 14. Slain was the eagle of the battlefield, the strength of sea 15. Slain was Hywel the fair, son of Owain 16. Slain was the handsome hero, above the sea-marsh.

Llas gyda Hywel, hawl amddyfrwys––lew, Llew trylew, traul diffwys, (ple do dial dywal dwys?) Plant Cedifor wyn Wennwys.

17. Together with Hywel, a hero of vigorous claim 18. A right bold lion mighty in spending 19. Where will be vengeance, fierce, complete 20. Slain were the sons of Cedifor Wennwys the fair

Llad Brochfael wyn a gwynaf, Lladd Aearddur (a’n cur cof) A lladd Rhirid (a’m llid llif) A lladd Iddon ac Addaf.

21. It is the slaying of gentle Brochfael I bewail 22. It is remembering the slaying of Aerddur that wears me away 23. It is the slaying of Rhirid that tortures me 24. And the slaying of Iddon and Addaf.

Brochfael ac Iddon, brodorion––Hywel, A holynt gerddorion,

10

Rhy’u llas a llafnau rhuddion Ar lles draig yn llys dragon.

25. Brochfael and Iddon, brothers of Hywel 26. Whom minstrels were want to praise 27. They have been slain with red blades 28. For the sake of a prince in the court of a ruler.

Can eddyw Aerddur yn arddyfrwys––far Yn nhrydar, ddar ddiffwys, Ciliai rhag ei lu Loegrwys, Cadr fab Cedifor Wennwys.

29. Since Aerddur is gone there is furious wrath 30. In the tumult of battle he was a tall oak tree 31. Before his host the men of Lloegr used to retreat 32. The brave son of Cedifor Wennwys

Am fyned Hywel, hawl ddiachor––traws, (Daeth tristyd I’m cyngor), Yn naear franar Fangor Doe, a dau fab Cedifor.

33. For the going of Hywel (stubborn and proud in his claim was he) 34. Under the fresh turned sods in Bangor yesterday 35. And the two sons of Cedifor 36. Sadness has come over my heart.

Fy nghalon a gryn rhag erchlais––y fran, Dechrau gwan dychrynais, Gwae fi, pan ‘I harhoais: Gwayw yn Hywel a welais

37. My heart trembles at the harsh note of the raven 38. When the fight began dread fell upon me. 39. Woe’s me when I awaited it. 40. A spear thrust into Hywel did I see.

Bran a grey n y gyfarthfa, Ni ddarogan im ddim da Bod mab brenin gwyn Gwynedd Yn gorwedd yn yr aerfa.

41. A raven croaks on the battlefield 42. It bodes me no good 43. That the fair son of the king of Gwynedd 44. Lies fallen in the fight.

11

Marwnad Meibion Cedifor (Elegy for the sons of Cedifor) by Peryf Cedifor (1170)

This poem was written soon after the battle by Peryf ab Cedifor who fought alongside Hywel and provides information for the location of the battle, those killed and how Hywel was slain. The poem is only concerned with the events at Pentraeth therefore it is given in full.18 Relevant details will be discussed below.

Tra fuam ein saith, trisaith – ni’n beiddai, Ni’n ciliai cyn ein llaith; Nid oes, ysywaeth, o’r saith Namyn tri trin ddiolaeth.

1. While we were seven, thrice seven could not defy us, 2. they could not cause us to flee before our death; 3. of the seven, alas, are left 4. but three who do not shun battle.

Seithwyr y buam, dinam, – digythrudd, Digyfludd eu cyflam, Seithwyr ffyrf ffo ddiadlam, Saith gynt ni gymerynt gam

5. We were seven warriors, faultless and unstirred, 6. whose onslaught could not be restrained, 7. seven steadfast men from whom there was nowhere to flee, 8. seven, once, who suffered no wrong.

Can eddyw Hywel, hwyl ddi-oddef – cad (Cydfuam gyd ag ef), Handym oll goll gyfaddef, Handid tegach teulu nef.

9. Since Hywel has gone, he with a mission in battle, 10. (we were with him), 11. we all acknowledge the loss, 12. heaven’s host will now be fairer.

Meibion Cedifor, cyd ehelaeth – blant, Yn y pant uch Pentraeth, Buant brwysgion, braisg arfaeth, Buant briw ger eu brawd-faeth.

13. The sons of Cedifor (children who are generous to each other) 14. in the hollow above Pentraeth, 15. they were lively, sturdy in their purpose, 16. they were injured alongside their foster brother.

18 I am very grateful to Ann Parry Owen for providing the medieval Welsh text in modern orthography and the English translation. An edition of the poem with detailed notes can be found in Gwaith Llywelyn Bardd, pp. 339–45. 12

Yn y berwid brad Brython – anghristiawn O Gristin a’i meibion, Ni bo dyn ym myw ym Môn O’r Brochfaeliaid brychfoelion.

17. Where unchristian treason was brewed against the Brython 18. by Cristin and her sons, 19. may none remain living in Anglesey 20. of Brochfael’s bald and freckled clan.

Er a ddêl o dda o ddala tir – present, Preswylfod anghywir, Â gwayw, gwae Ddafydd enwir! Gwân gwalch rhyfel, Hywel hir.

21. However much wealth comes from holding land in this world 22. which is a deceitful abode, 23. it was with a spear (woe to evil Dafydd!) 24. that the war hawk was pierced, tall Hywel.

Mawl Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd (In praise of Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd) By Llywelyn ap Llywarch, (Prydydd y Moch) (c.1203)

This poem of 175 lines was written following the death of Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd, c.1203 and refers to events throughout his life. Many of the battles he was victorious in are included and Pentraeth is briefly mentioned.19 Although it adds nothing in way of details it does confirm that the battle was, over thirty years later, still referred to as taking place at Pentraeth.

3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources

No further references to the battle appear until the first English translation was made of Brut y Tywysogion by Humphrey Llwyd in 1559 entitled Cronica Wallia. The work was undertaken with the intention of publishing it, but Llwyd died in 1568 with the work still unpublished. Although the original manuscript is lost at least three contemporary copies are known and these were edited by Williams in 2002. Llwyd did more than just translate Brut y Tywysogyon he frequently added his own interpretation on events as the quote below shows.

After the death of Owen his sonnes fill at debate who shulde enherite after him. For the eldest sonne borne in matrimony Edward or Erwerth Drwyndwn was counted unmeete for his maime upon his face. And Howell who toke upon him all the rule was a base sonne begotten upon an Irishwoman. Therfore David gathered all the power he coulde, and came against Howell, and fought with him and slewe him, and afterward enjoyed quietly the whole lande of Northwales,

19 Elin M. Jones and Nerys Ann Jones (eds.), Gwaith Llywarch ap Llywelyn ‘Prydydd y Moch’ (Cardiff, 1991), p.5 line 73. 13

until his brother Ierwerth or Edwardes sonne came to age as shall hereafter appear.20

His work was eventually published with slightly updated spelling by David Powel in 1584 as The Historie of Cambria, the first appearance of this material in print.21 Powel’s work became the standard history for Wales for the next 300 years and was reprinted and expanded upon several times. Nothing is mentioned regarding the battle in Henry Rowlands’ Mona Antiqua Restaurata [Ancient Anglesey Restored] (1723)22 or in the second edition of 1766 with notes by Lewis Morris.23 Celtic Remains was a compilation of Welsh history that Lewis Morris had spent most of his life working on before his death in 1766. The manuscript (finally published in 1872) contains an intriguing reference.

‘Y Pant uch Pentraeth, Anglesey, the house of Cadivor Wyddel in 1140. A place there still called Y Pant’24

Morris is obviously quoting the poem by Peryf ab Cedifor which proves that he had access to a manuscript copy of the poem, as it wasn’t printed until 1801. The date of 1140 for Cedifor is unique to Morris, as his reference to ‘a place there still called Y Pant.’ Lewis was a native of this part of Anglesey, but unfortunately he does not mention the site again in any of his other works and its exact location remains uncertain.

The first appearance of the poetry in print was in the second volume of the Myvyrian Archaiology in 1801 which printed all three of the poems.25 It is only at this point that the name Pentraeth became known to a wider audience. The Myvyrian Archaiology also printed the Brut Aberpergwm a variant version of Brut y Tywsogyon. Suspicions as to its authenticity were noted early on and later research showed that it was a product of no earlier than the sixteenth century and modern scholarship considers it a forgery. The work can be found referred to frequently in the works of the nineteenth century and has recently been widely used on the internet, leading to much confusion. An English translation of the text was prepared by Aneirin Owen in 1845 and was printed alongside the Welsh text from the Myvyrian Archaiology as a supplement to Archaeologia Cambrensis in 1864, under the title The Gwentian Chroncle. The entry regarding the conflict is given below.

A.D. 1169.—Owain, prince of Gwynedd, died, having reigned thirty-two years, after which a contention arose between his sons as to which should succeed him; but Hywel, son of Owain, took the government upon himself, because he was the eldest,—his mother was Pyvog, daughter of an honourable lord in Ireland. And after ruling the principality in peace for two years, his father-in-law died, and he went to Ireland to take possession of the territory belonging to him in right of his mother and wife, for she was a sole heiress. And while he was there, his brother David, son of Owain, collected his mother's kin,—she was Crisiant, daughter of Goronwy, son of Owain, son of Ednywain,—and many others joined him who disliked Hywel. And when he saw this powerful support, he took upon

20 Ieuan M. Williams (ed.) Humphrey Llwyd Cronica Walliae (Cardiff, 2002), p. 167. 21 David Powel, The Historie of Cambria (London, 1584), p. 227. 22 Henry Rowlands, Mona Antiqua Restaurata (Dublin, 1723). 23 Idem, Mona Antiqua Restaurata, second edition with notes by Lewis Morris (Dublin, 1766). 24 D. Silvan Evans (ed.), Celtic Remains by Lewis Morris (London, 1878), pp. 342–3. 25 The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, 3 vols (London (1801–07), Vol. 1, pp. 279–81 for ‘Marwnad Dafydd ab Oawin’; p. 418 for ‘Marwnad Meibion Cedifor’ and p. 524 for ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd.’ 14

himself the government, and subjugated Gwynedd ; which Hywel hearing, he came immediately to Gwynedd, and took the field against his brother, although the forces of David were much more numerous than those of Hywel ; and after a hard fight, Hywel and his men were put to flight, and he was sorely wounded below his ribs ; but his brother E-hirid carried him to a ship, and from thence to Ireland, where Hywel died; and he gave to his brother Rhirid his territory there.26

This narrative of Hywel reigning over Gwynedd for two years and then going to Ireland before returning, then fighting Dafydd and returning once more to Ireland, where he died from his wounds, counters all other sources and cannot be relied upon. The text provides no evidence as to the site of the battle.

In 1904 the discovery of four stone lined graves in the parish of Pentraeth were associated with the battle by Harold Hughes in his article for Archaeologia Cambrensis, discussed below. John Lloyd in his History of Wales (1911) refers to Hughes’ article and quotes the ‘y Pant Uch Pentreath’ section from Peryf ab Cedifor’s poem in his two sentences about the conflict. The poetry came under closer scrutiny by Ifor Williams in his 1923 article on it for the Anglesey Antiquarian society where he translates the work and provides a detailed discussion of the poems.27 Numerous books covering the period and the military aspects of Welsh history mention the battle but all exclusively draw upon either Lloyd, or the Thomas Jones editions of Brut y Tywysogyon and add nothing. The poems were edited to a modern standard in the seven volume Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion between 1991 and 1995 and provided with detailed accompanying notes. One of these notes draws attention to a farm called Penrhyn, in Pentraeth, as a possible interpretation of the available evidence. The life and work of Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd was the subject of an edited collection of articles in 2009, but the battle is once again mentioned only briefly.28

3.3 Battle Location

Two of the poems provide clues as to the location of the battle, but no single location fits all of the evidence and several possible interpretations are discussed below. Only one location has been previously suggested in historical works.

3.3.1 Rhos y Gad

J. E. Lloyd located the battle at Rhos y Gad (Moor of the Battle) in the parish of Llanbedrgoch, on the basis of the 1904 article by Hughes that associated the discovery of four stone lined graves in a quarry near the farm of Rhos y Gad with the twelfth-century battle. The graves no longer survive and the description and illustration of them by Hughes would likely be interpreted differently today. Longley discusses other similar finds in Wales and notes that carbon-dating has produced a date range of A. D.500–1050 for them making a late twelfth century date unlikely.29 Hughes also notes that human remains had been found in the

26 Aneirin Owen (trans.), The Gwentian Chronicle, (London, 1864), p. 133 27 Ifor Williams, ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1923), 51–5. 28 Nerys Ann Jones (ed.), Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd (Cardiff, 2009), p. 14. 29 Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), p.105–32. The site is mentioned in gazetteer and sourced back to 1904 article by Hughes. 15

area between Rhos y Gad and the church at Llanbedrgoch and associates the remains with the battle due to the name of the farm and nearby field names such as ‘Bryn y Cyrff (hill of corpses) and Caerau Bodgadroedd (the fields of the forces).’30 The farm name appears in an earlier survey of the parish of Pentraeth as Rhos y Gath (Moor of the Cat)31 and the change to Rhos y Gad is likely to be down to the Ordnance Survey, which regularly misspelt placenames in Wales, with the unfortunate outcome of them becoming the accepted form.32 However, the field names are not recorded on the tithe map or the 1724 survey and remain otherwise unsubstantiated. The area around Rhos y Gad is of archaeological interest, but the evidence suggests it dates from a period earlier than the battle of Pentraeth.

3.3.2 Possible sites based upon evidence from the poetry

The poetry is in agreement that the battle took place in Pentraeth a place named in the ‘Extent of Anglesey.’ Compiled in 1284.33 The evidence from the poetry provides three different lines that contain topographical material to locate the battle, these will be dealt with separately in detail and then finally looked at together.

‘Pant uch Pentraeth’ (Hollow above Pentreath)

The Welsh place name element pant refers to a hollow or area of low lying ground and the tithe map of 1840 records only one place containing the element pant, a field at the western border of the parish near the house of Ty Fry. The field is called Pant Fudog which could, if Fudog is a variant form of Fuddug, translate as the ‘victorious hollow’, a rather suggestive name, but this is not certain and the name is not recorded in any earlier source, making it difficult to draw any further conclusions.

Earlier records provide further pant names. A field called Llain y Pant is recorded in two documents, one dated to 168134 and the other to 1709,35 concerning the sale of land associated with Tai yn y Coed, known on modern maps as Tai’n y Coed.36 The land surrounding Tai’n y Coed was surveyed by Lewis Morris in 1724–7 as part of a survey of the Bodorgan estate, but these field names are not mentioned.37 One other Pant reference is known, concerning a parcel of land called Pant y Llan (hollow of the Llan (church enclosure)) in a document dated to 1512, suggesting it is near the church, perhaps in the valley of the River Nodwydd, but a precise identification is not possible.38

One final reference is by Lewis Morris, noted above, to ‘a place there still called ‘Y Pant.’ in the note on Pentraeth in his Celtic Remains. Sadly, despite his detailed survey of parts of the parish, the location of this house remains unidentified. The fact that pant can be used in a

30 Harold Hughes, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Sixth Series Vol. 4, (1904), 82. 31 Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579, p. 54. 32 J. B. Harley and Gwyn Walters, ‘Welsh Orthography and Ordnance Survey Mapping 1820–1905’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 121 (1982), 98–135. 33 G. Rex Smith, ‘The Extent of Anglesey, 1284’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (2009), 70- 119. 34 Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 559 35 Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 567 36 Near the hamlet of Pen y Garnedd at SH533767. 37 Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579 p. 58. 38 Bangor University Archives, Baron Hill 987. 16

topographic sense to mean any hollow or low lying area, means multiple sites throughout the parish could fulfil the description, making it very difficult to draw any firmer conclusions.

‘Yn y Penrhyn uch Penrhos’ (On the Penrhyn above Penrhos)

The name Penrhos was interpreted by Ifor Willaims as a reference to the parish of Penrhosllugwy to the north of Pentraeth,39 but another possibility exists, within the parish of Pentraeth. The first edition one inch to the mile OS map (1840), above, shows a house called Pen Rhos (SO 526772), just south of the junction with what is now the A5025 and the road leading to the hamlet of Rhoscefnhir, near the property called Bwlch. The house named Pen Rhos is also shown on the tithe map as number 231, but is not mentioned in the tithe schedule. The field surrounding the house is named Cae Mawr Penrhos, thereby confirming the name.40 The house is not shown on later mapping which suggests that it was demolished, sometime between 1840 and 1891 when the next mapping survey was undertaken. No remains of the building are visible today. The rhos element is also present 400m to the south in the small hamlet of Rhoscefnhir.

The most recent editor of the poem draws attention to farm named Penrhyn in the west of the parish, situated on a slight rise overlooking an area of marshy ground called Cors Bodeilio.41 Another example is the nearby house called Cae Penrhyn (SO 499769) and both places are named on the Ordnance Survey Drawing (OSD 312) of 1822, but no earlier references exist. The name is worth noting, but it does not seem compatible with the Penrhos identified above.

The placename element penrhyn is most frequently used to denote a headland in a coastal context, but Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru also notes that it can be used to mean a promontory or a point, as in a peak of high ground.42 With this in mind, the high point in the 90 metre contour line in Coed Geifron to the north, the high ground within the 65m contour due west of Plas Gwyn and the high ground 500m due east of Penrhos near the farm of Bryn Mawr are all potential candidates. All of these sites could possibly fulfil the criteria of a Penrhyn above

39 Williams, ‘Marwnad Hywel ap Owain Gwynedd’, p. 51. 40 Tithe schedule #230. 41 Gwaith Llewelyn Bardd, p. 360. 42 Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, p. 2759. 17

Penrhos and it is worth noting that from all three high points it would be possible to look over the sands or morfa of Red Wharf Bay.

‘Uch Morfa’ (above the sea-marsh) Morfa is defined as a sea-marsh, estuary area, and in more modern times, a bog or marsh. The tithe map associates the name morfa to three locations. Firstly the land bordering the coastline of Red Wharf Bay, the most obvious place for a morfa to be located, near the house called Glen Morfa on modern maps.43 Secondly the name is associated with the lowest reaches of the River Nodwydd just before it reaches the bridge near the shoreline of Red Wharf Bay.44 Thirdly, there is an area of marshy land in the east of the parish known on modern maps as Cors Wiber.45 The medieval usage of morfa favours the coastal sites over the inland marsh and the reference in the poem should most likely be interpreted as referring to a site above, or overlooking, the sands of Red Wharf Bay.

Conclusion

The three topographical clues from the poetry can best be reconciled with the area surrounding the house of Pen Rhos as depicted on the 1840 OS mapping. The high ground surrounding it to the north and west could potentially fulfil the penrhyn requirement and the morfa of Red Wharf bay is visible from these areas. The pant above Pentraeth could be associated with the Llain y Pant recorded in 1681 and associated with the farm of Tai’n y coed 400 metres to the east of Pen Rhos. A site in Pentraeth that is on a penrhyn above a place called Penrhos and also above the morfa, most likely Red Wharf Bay, but also in a pant (hollow) above Pentraeth is best reconciled with the area discussed above. It is difficult to be any more precise and the potential area for further research is outlined on the accompanying map.

3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment.

Harold Hughes associated the stone lined graves (PRN 5585) discovered in 1903 at Rhos y Gad (SH 513789) with the battle and this was repeated by Baynes in 1935 who also drew attention to the discovery of human remains nearby.46

In a letter dated 13 March 1874 addressed by Mr John Elias of Pentraeth to the late Mr R Prichard of Llwydiarth Esgob, he states that some trenches full of human bones had been found in a field near Rhos y gad. 47

The most recent discussion of stone lined graves of this type in Wales suggests that they are likely of an earlier date.48 The vicinity of Rhos y Gad is of archaeological interest, but not in relation to the battle in 1170.

43 Tithe Schedule #831, 832 and 834. 44 Tithe Schedule #721 and 794. 45 Tithe Schedule #499, 500 and 543. 46 Hughes, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’, 82–4. 47 E. N. Baynes, ‘Some Stone Lined Graves at Llanrhuddlad’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1935), 189-91. 48 Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), pp. 105–32. 18

A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme database records the find of a Roman Brooch in 2003, otherwise nothing else is associated with Pentraeth and medieval finds in the neighbouring parish are domestic in nature. A search of both Archwilio and Coflein has been undertaken, but neither have produced anything relevant to a medieval battle. The historical sources make it clear that the battle was a surprise attack at short notice so there is unlikely to be any earthworks or other landscape features that could be identified by searching aerial photography.

A monument was erected where the river Nodwydd enters the sea in Red Wharf Bay (SH 535798) in 1986 by the local civil society to commemorate the battle, with the inscription.

CYNGOR BWRDEISTREF YNYS MÔN HYWEL AB OWAIN GWYNEDD TYWYSOG A BARDD LLADDWYD MEWN BRWYDR YM MHENTRAETH YM 1170 "CARAF EI MORFA A'I MYNYDDOEDD"

Translation:

ANGLESEY BOROUGH COUNCIL HYWEL AB OWAIN GWYNEDD PRINCE AND POET KILLED IN A BATTLE IN PENTRAETH IN 1170 "I LOVE ITS COASTLAND AND ITS MOUNTAINS"

3.5 Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle.

The years used in Brut Y Tywysogyon run from March 25, so events recorded as taking place in 1170 could by a modern calendar happen as late as March 24 1171. This fact is particularly poignant in relation to this event as Owain Gwynedd died on 23 November 1170. The battle could therefore have taken place at any time after that up until March 25 1171. It is very likely that Owain Gwynedd nominated a single heir to succeed him and as his eldest son Iorwerth suffered from a facial disfigurement and was therefore ineligible to rule, it is almost certain that his second eldest son Hywel was the nominated successor.49 The almost immediate struggle following the death of Owain is illustrative of how contested this decision was and the following years saw a series of conflicts between the remaining sons of Owain until Dafydd was victorious following an uneasy alliance with his brother Rhodri. Dafydd married Emma of Anjou, the sister of Henry II in 1174 and ruled over Gwynedd until his defeat by the young Llywelyn ap Iorwerth at the battle of Aberconwy in 1195. Following this defeat he spent the remainder of his life in his estates in England and having defeated the killer of his uncle Hywel ap Owain Gwynedd, Llywelyn went on to rule Gwynedd and at times most of Wales until his death in 1240.

49 J. Beverley Smith, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 33 (1986), 214–5. 19

4. Bibliography

4.1 Primary Sources

Annals Cambriae edited by John Williams Ab Ithel, (London, 1860).

Annales Cambriae edited and translated by Paul Remfry (2007).

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 Aberpergwm in Brut y Tywysogion: The Gwentian Chronicle of Caradoc of Llancarvan, translated by Aneirin Owen (London, 1863).

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 (Cardiff, 1955).

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

Gwaith Llywarch ap Llewelyn ‘Prydydd y Moch’: Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion 5 (Cardiff, 1991)

Gwaith Llywelyn Fardd i ac Eraill o Feirdd Y Ddeuddegfed Ganrif: Cyfres Beirdd y Tywysogion 2 (Cardiff, 1994)

4.1.2 Unpublished Primary Sources

Bangor University Archives, Baron Hill 987.

Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 559.

Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 567.

Bangor University Archives, Bodorgan 1579.

4.2 Secondary Sources

Bartrum, P. C., Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts (Cardiff, 1966).

Baynes, E. N., ‘Some Stone Lined Graves at Llanrhuddlad’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1935), 189–91.

20

Carr, A. D., ‘Prydydd y Moch: Ymateb Hanesydd’ Transactions of the Cymrodorion Society (1989), 161–80.

Davies, Robert, The Tithe Maps of Wales: A guide to the tithe maps and apportionments of Wales in the National Library of Wales (Aberystwyth, 1999).

Davies, Sean, Welsh Military Institutions, 633–1283 (Cardiff, 2004).

Evans, D. Silvan (ed.), Celtic Remains by Lewis Morris (London, 1878).

Feer, Esther and Jones, Nerys Ann, ‘The poet and his patrons: The early career of Llywarch Brydydd y Moch’ in Helen Fulton (ed.), Medieval Celtic Literature and Society (Dublin, 2005), pp.132–62.

Fulton, Helen (ed.), Medieval Celtic Literature and Society (Dublin, 2005).

Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, 4 vols (1950–2002).

Harley, J. B. and Walters, Gwyn, ‘Welsh Orthography and Ordnance Survey Mapping 1820– 1905’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 121 (1982), 98–135.

Hughes, Harold, ‘Discovery of Graves in the Parish of Llanbedr-Goch, Anglesey’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, Sixth Series Vol. 4, (1904), 82–4.

Huws, Daniel, Medieval Welsh Manuscripts, (Aberystwyth, 2000).

Huws, Daniel, ‘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.

Jones, Nerys Ann (ed.), Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd: Bardd-Dywysog (Cardiff, 2009).

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

Longley D. ‘Early Medieval Burial in Wales’ in N. Edwards (ed.), The Archaeology of the Early Medieval Celtic Churches, (Leeds, 2009), pp. 105–32.

Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, 3 vols (London (1801–07).

Owen, Aneirin (trans.), The Gwentian Chronicle, (London, 1864).

Owen, Morfydd E., ‘Byd Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’, in Jones, Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, pp. 31–61.

Powel, David, The Historie of Cambria (London, 1584).

Rowlands, Henry, Mona Antiqua Restaurata (Dublin, 1723).

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Rowlands, Henry, Mona Antiqua Restaurata second edition with notes by Lewis Morris (Dublin, 1766).

Smith, J. Beverley, ‘Dynastic Succession in Medieval Wales’, Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies 33, (1986), 199–232.

Smith, G. Rex, ‘The Extent of Anglesey, 1284’, Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (2009), 70-119.

Thorpe, Lewis, (trans.) Gerald of Wales: The Journey through Wales and the Description of Wales (Harmondsworth, 1978).

Williams, Ifor, ‘Marwnad Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd’ Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society (1923), 49–58.

4.3 Cartographic Sources

1724 ‘Survey of the Bodorgan estate’, Bangor University Archives Bodorgan 1569.

1840 First Edition One Inch Ordnance Survey Map, Sheet 78 NW.

1841 Tithe Map and Schedule for the Parish of Pentraeth (The Tithe Maps of Wales #69).

4.4 Web Resources

Archwlio www.archwilio.org.uk

Coflein www.coflein.gov.uk

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

People Collection Wales http://www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/Places/FullMap

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5. Map of Site

Boundary of Potential site

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

Figure 1: Location Map indicating potential site of the Battle of Pentraeth.