Gildas Research, 2013) Brecknockshire Documentary and Historical Research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Home , Bernard de Neufmarche, Brycheiniog, Buellt, Cronica Walliae, David Powel, Garnant

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 Aberllech 1096 Historical Assessment

Gildas Research

Report No: 100/02

The Battle of Aberllech,

Report on Historical Assessment

Prepared For: Cadw Nantgarw 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

Contents

Acknowledgements ...... 4 1. Summary ...... 5 2. Narrative of the action ...... 6 2.1 Prelude and Background ...... 6 2.2 Battle ...... 6 2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties ...... 7 2.4 Aftermath ...... 7 3. Evaluation ...... 7 3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources ...... 7 3.1.1 Annales Cambriae ...... 7 3.1.2 Brut y Tywysogyon and Brenhinedd y Saesson ...... 8 3.1.3 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ...... 9 3.1.4 Genealogical sources ...... 9 3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources ...... 10 3.3 Battle Location ...... 11 3.3.1 The River Llech in Pen Rhos, Monmouthshire ...... 12 3.3.2 Nant Llech, near Ynyswen, Breconshire ...... 12 3.3.3 Aber Llech, near Sennybridge, Breconshire ...... 13 3.3.4 Assessment of different sites ...... 13 3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment ...... 13 3.5 Historical Significance of the Battle ...... 13 4. Bibliography ...... 15 4.1 Primary Sources ...... 15 4.2 Secondary Sources ...... 15 4.2.1 Unpublished secondary sources ...... 16 4.3 Cartographic Sources ...... 16 4.4 Web Resources ...... 17 5. Maps of Potential Sites ...... 18

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.

1. Summary

The Anglo-Norman forces that were building castles in Brycheiniog, as part of their ongoing colonisation, suffered a setback in the period 1094–6 when the Welsh revolted. In 1096 a contingent of Anglo-Norman forces were ambushed by Welsh forces, under the control of Ifor and Gruffudd the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan at a place called Aberllech. The battle is briefly mentioned in the Cambro-Latin and Welsh chronicles and does not appear in any other sources. There are no direct clues as to its whereabouts, but two previous suggestions have been proposed, one in Monmouthshire and the other in Breconshire, and a third one also in Breconshire and not previously considered, is also examined here. It was probably the last important Welsh victory against the Norman colonisers in this area, before their eventual overall control.

Battle of Aberllech 1096

2. Narrative of the action

2.1 Prelude and Background

In 1088 Bernard of Neufmarché (c. 1050–c. 1125) headed an invasion into the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog from his estates in the Wye Valley region of Herefordshire. By the end of the year he was in possession of Glasbury, according to a charter of the abbey at Gloucester.1 Although details are sparse, Bernard seems to have slowly consolidated his conquests in eastern Brycheiniog and had penetrated as far as Brecon by 1093, where he began construction on a castle at the confluence of the Usk and Honddu rivers.2 This was the impetus for Rhys ap Tewdwr the ruler of Deheubarth, to attack, for if Bernard was able to establish a castle at Brecon he would then be in a perfect position to attack the kingdom of Deheubarth. Bernard and Rhys met in battle near Brecon and Rhys was defeated.3

Following the defeat of Rhys ap Tewdwr, Bernard’s hold on Brecon was still not fully consolidated and the western and upland parts of the cantref of Brycheiniog remained untamed. In 1094 the Welsh began a concerted campaign of conflict against the French.4 The revolt was serious enough for the king, William Rufus, to gather an army and head for South Wales in the autumn of 1095, ‘but the valleys protected the Welsh, and the king went home empty-handed.’5 In 1096 Brycheiniog, Gwent and Gwynllwg rebelled against the French and slaughtered some of the French as they returned from Gwent, at an unlocated site called Gelli Carnant.6 The Anglo-Normans had begun to build castles in Brycheiniog as a way of consolidating their gains and it was whilst returning from building some of these, the sources do not state where, that the attack at Aberllech took place.

2.2 Battle

All of the primary sources agree that the French were routed at Aberllech by a Welsh contingent led by Ifor and Gruffudd, the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan. A similar successful attack had taken place earlier in the year at Gelli Carnant and this is described in similar terms. The context of the chronicles suggest that the attack was in the form of an ambush along a known transit route. The use of the term Aber in the place name suggests it took place near the confluence of two rivers, and a valley site, perhaps heavily wooded, is therefore likely. The Welsh tried to avoid engaging the Norman forces in direct battle and relied upon evasion and ambush in order to defeat the Norman troops.7 An ambush by a small Welsh contingent as the Anglo-Norman forces returned towards lands under their control seems the most reasonable context for the conflict at Aberllech.

1 W. H. Hart (ed.), Historia et Cartularium Monasterii Sancti Petri Gloucestriae, (London, 1865) Vol I, p. 80. 2 B. Coplestone-Crow, ‘Trewalkin and its Anglo-Norman lords’, Brycheiniog, 26 (1993/4), 43–51. 3 Thomas Jones (trans.), Brut Y Tywysogyon Peniarth MS 20 version (Cardiff, 1955), p.19. [ByT (Pen 20)]. 4 Lynn H. Nelson, The Normans in South Wales, 1070–1171 (Austin, 1966), p. 90. 5 Thomas Jones (ed. and trans.). Brenhinedd y Saesson or The Kings of the Saxons, (Cardiff, 1971), p. 87. [ByS] 6 Idem (ed. and trans.) Brut y Twysogyon Red Book of Hergest Version, 2nd edition, (Cardiff, 1972), p. 35. [ByT (RB)]. 7 Sean Davies, Welsh Military Institutions, 633–1283 (Cardiff, 2004), p.100. 6

2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties

The fact that the ambush at Aberllech made it into the chronicle literature suggests that the numbers involved were sufficiently large to justify its inclusion. As part of the frequent attacks against the Anglo-Normans in the revolt of 1094–8, Aberllech must have seen the defeat of a substantial number of Anglo-Norman troops, but as to exact, or even approximate numbers, it is difficult to judge. The Welsh military unit of the teulu would consist of approximately fifty men and a similar number of Anglo-Norman troops is not unreasonable.8 The source suggest that a majority of the Anglo-Norman troops would have been slain and the Welsh were unlikely to have left the field without some losses, however the lack of information makes it impossible to say for certain.

2.4 Aftermath

The chronicle sources show that, following the conflict at Aberllech, the Anglo-Norman castles remained intact and Bernard completed his castle at Brecon thereby consolidating his conquests in eastern Brycheiniog. The Brutiau refer to the men of Brycheiniog slaying Llewellyn ap Cadwgan in 1099 and a poem to Hywel ap Goronwy, written shortly after 1100, states that ‘The land of Brycheiniog [is] your true right, may everyone see that.’9 This evidence shows that a part of Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog remained under Welsh control in the years following Aberllech. However, Bernard de Neufmarché and his followers continued to rule in lowland Brycheiniog and the Welsh never regained the land taken by them, their victory at Aberllech proving to be little more than a minor setback to the Norman colonisation of the region.10

3. Evaluation

3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources

The only primary sources for the conflict at Aberllech are the Cambro-Latin Annales Cambriae and the later Welsh Brut y Tywysogyon. No notice of it is preserved in any surviving poetry and it is too early to appear in any official records.

3.1.1 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)11 and London British Library Cotton Domitian A.i. (c.1300), respectively. The B-text manuscript at this point is damaged and the probable readings are placed in brackets. The C-text is very clear.

8 Ibid, p. 22–6. 9 David Stephenson, ‘Mawl Hywel ap Goronwy: Dating and Context’, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies, 57 (2009), 41. Tir Brycheinauc dy iaun priaud: paub a’i gwelhwy, J. E. Caerwyn Williams (ed.), Gwaith Meilyr Brydydd a’I Ddisgynyddion (Cardiff, 1994), p. 6. 10 Nelson, Normans in South Wales, p. 91. David Walker, ‘The Norman settlement in Wales’ Proceedings of the Battle Abbey Conference 1978 (Ipswich, 1979), 136-7. For a detailed discussion of the development of the Marcher lordships see Max Lieberman, The Medieval March of Wales: The Creation and Perception of a Frontier 1066–1283, (Cambridge, 2010). 11 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

B-text brítones brechen{i}a{uc} et guent et G{uenlle}wec cedem non modícam de francís in cellida{rnauc fe}cerunt modico interuall{o ….}a filíis idnerth filii cad{ugan in} aberllec {oc}cisi sunt.12

The Britons of Brycheiniog, Gwent and Gwynllwg made an immoderate slaughter of the French at Celli Darnauc. After a short while […] they were killed by the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan in Aberllech.13

C-text Brecheínauc . et guent . et guenlíunc iugum francorum respuunt . sed franci exercitum mouent in guent . et nihil impetrantes uacuí domum redeunt . et in kellitrauant uersi sunt in fugam . Iterum uenerunt in brecheínauc . et castella fecerunt in ea . sed in reditu apud aberlech uersi sunt in fugam a filíís idnerth filii kadugaun.14

Brycheiniog and Gwent and Gwynllwg threw off the French yoke, but the French brought an army into Gwent, and they obtained nothing and returned home empty-handed; and at Kellitravant they were put to flight. Again they came to Brycheiniog, and built castles there, but on their return they were routed at Aberlech by the sons of Idnerth, son of Cadwgan.15

The Annales Cambriae show that the French forces had mixed success in their attempts to subdue Brycheiniog in 1096, losing men at Gelli Travanat and Aberllech. However, it would appear that they were successful in the construction of their castles as no reference is made to these being taken.

3.1.2 Brut y Tywysogyon and Brenhinedd y Saesson

The Latin chronicles, or a similar earlier work that underlies them, form the basis for the later Welsh chronicles known as Brut Y Tywysogyon (ByT). This work survives in over thirty different manuscripts in two versions, known as Peniarth MS 20 and Red Book of Hergest, both compiled in the late thirteenth century. A third version also exists, but in only two manuscripts, known as Brenhinedd y Saesson (ByS), which appears to have been written later, generally contains less original material and interprets its Latin source differently.

Brut y Tywysogyon (Peniarth 20 version) And thereupon the French led frequent raids into Brycheiniog and thought to destroy the land completely. And when they had failed to have their will in aught, they returned home; and then they were slain by the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, Gruffudd and Ifor, in the place called Aber-llech. The castles, however, still remained intact, with their garrisons in them.16

12 James Williams Ab Ithel (ed.), Annales Cambriae (London, 1860), p.30. Checked against the transcript of Henry Gough Cooper in Annales Cambriae (forthcoming). 13 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. 175. 14 James Williams Ab Ithel (ed.), Annales Cambriae (London, 1860), p.30. Checked against the transcript of Henry Gough Cooper in Annales Cambriae (forthcoming). 15 Remfry Annales, p. 211. 16 ByT (Pen 20), p. 20. 8

Brut y Tywysogyon (Red Book version) After that the French moved a host to Brycheiniog and thought to ravage the whole land, but, having failed to accomplish their thoughts, as they were returning they were slain by the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, Grufudd and Ifor, in the place called Aber-llech. And the inhabitants stayed in their houses unafraid although the castles were still intact and the garrisons in them.17

Brenhinedd y Saesson And then the French moved their host into Gwent; and they gained no profit thereby, but many of them were slain in the place called Celli Garnant. Thereupon, soon after that, they went with their host into Brycheiniog, and they gained no profit thereby but were slain by the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, namely, Gruffudd and Ifor, in the place that is called Aber-llech. But their castles were left intact, and their poor folk remained trembling in their houses.18

All three versions add details not found in the Latin, most importantly the names of the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, Gruffudd and Ifor. This information helps to locate the sphere of influence of these Welsh leaders and is discussed below in 3.1.4. The note that the castles stood intact builds upon the inference from the Latin texts and the second half of the sentence shows how the three different versions chose to interpret their Latin text.

3.1.3 Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Although not specifically about Aberllech, it is also worth noting the following extract from the E manuscript of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle for the year 1096, which shows how attempts to colonise Wales were viewed in England.

Also in this year, the head men who held this land regularly sent an army into Wales, and greatly afflicted many a man with that; but there was no success in that, but the destruction of men and waste of money.19

3.1.4 Genealogical sources

Although not primary sources for the events at Aberllech, the Welsh genealogical manuscripts do provide information about the family of the Welsh protagonists. Gruffudd and Ifor were the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan ap Elystan Glodrydd. Elystan Glodrydd is the ancestor of several dynasties operating in southern Powys and the kingdom of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (between the Wye and the Severn). Although Ifor and Gruffudd do not appear again in the Brutiau, their uncles do and locating their sphere of influence may provide some clues as to the location of Aberllech. Goronwy and Llewelyn ap Cadwgan fought at the battles of Camddwr and Gweuontyll in 1075 and 1077 respectively.20 Neither site has been securely located. Both Llewelyn and Goronwy are named in genealogical material as of the line of Buellt21 and Ieuan ap Cadwgan is named in a genealogy concerning the rulers of Powys.22 A

17 ByT (RB), p. 35. 18 ByS, p. 89. 19 Michael Swanton (ed. and trans.) The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (London, 1996), p. 233. 20 ByT (RB), p. 29, under entries for 1075 and 1077. 21 P. C. Bartrum, (ed.), Early Welsh Genealogical Tracts (Cardiff, 1966) [EWGT], p. 48.30 and p.48.32, line of Buellt. 22 Ibid, p. 102. 8g, ancestor in the line of Powys. 9

brother to Ifor and Gruffudd is also mentioned in two genealogical tracts referring to the lines of Maelienydd and Elfael in Powys.23 This genealogical information shows that the families’ main sphere of influence and interest was southern Powys. This would make a location nearer the southern boundary of Powys, a more probable site for the involvement of Ifor and Gruffudd.

3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources

No further references to the battle appear until the first English translation was made of Brut y Tywysogyon by Humphrey Llwyd in 1559 entitled Cronica Walliae. The work was undertaken with the intention of publishing it, but Llwyd died in 1568 with the work still unpublished. Although Llwyd’s original manuscript is lost at least three contemporary copies are known and these were edited by Williams in 2002.

Therefore when they sawe they had all the losse they manned and vittailled the castelles they had before tyme builded there, and returned backe. And the sonnes of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, Griffith and Ivor, meette with them upon the sodeyne at Aberlhech and fill upon them, and slewe the most parte of them, and the rest escaped to Englande and the capteins of the castelles defended them manfully and kept them tyll they were driven by force to forsake them and to save ther lyves and so the auncient dwellers enjoyed their country quietly.24

Llwyd’s translation formed the basis for the first printed history of Wales The Historie of Cambria edited by David Powel and printed in 1584. Powel’s text is practically identical to that in Cronica Walliae25 and remained the standard work on Welsh history until the nineteenth century when the Welsh texts of Brut Y Tywysogyon were printed in the Myvyrian Archaiology (1801).26 Aberllech is not mentioned in the unreliable ‘Gwentian Chronicle’, published in the same volume.

The first county history of Breconshire was Theophilus Jones’ History of the County of Brecknock (1808) which mentions it briefly; this is discussed in more detail below. Aberllech continues to be mentioned in passing throughout the nineteenth century, but the next work to add to the study of the conflict is a sentence in J. E. Lloyd’s A History of Wales published in 1911 which suggests a location for the battle.

The men of Brycheiniog, led by Gruffydd and Ifor, sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, fell upon another host which had issued from the same region [Glamorgan] and totally routed it at Aber Llech, about three miles north-east of Ystrad Gynlais.27

Lloyd interprets the French troops as coming from Glamorgan, not an unreasonable assumption from the chronicle evidence, and locates the battle at the point where Nant Llech meets the River Tawe. He gives no evidence for the location and we are left to assume that it

23 Ibid, p. 105, Madawc ap Idnerth ap Kadwgon in the Descent of Kydewain and ibid, p. 104, Madoc ap Idnerth ap Kadwgon,in the Descent of Gwerthynion [Maelineydd and Rhwng Gwy a Hafren]. 24 Ieuan M. Williams (ed.) Humphrey Llwyd Cronica Walliae (Cardiff, 2002), p. 128. 25 David Powel (ed.), The Historie of Cambria (London, 1584), p. 154. 26 The Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales, 3 vols (London, 1801–07). Texts in vol 2. 27 J. E. Lloyd, A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, (London, 1911), pp. 406–7. 10

was the coincidence of a river Llech on a route between Brycheiniog and Glamorgan that led him to site the location so confidently.

William Rees in his study of the lordship of Brecon published in 1916, doesn’t mention the battle at all28 and the next detailed look at the evidence is by Lynn Nelson who provides a context for the conflict at Aberllech, but adds no more evidence then previous writers, in his 1966 monograph The Normans in South Wales 1070–1171.29 Brief references to the event appear in David Walker’s 1978 article ‘The coming of the Normans’ and other general works, that touch upon the Welsh revolt of 1094–8, but nothing further is added to the discussion.30 The most recent work to consider the battle, again only briefly, can be found in two articles by David Stephenson. The first concerns the poem ‘Mawl Hywel ap Goronwy’, Hywel being the cousin of Ifor and Gruffudd who were victorious at Aberllech, published in Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies. He briefly discusses Aberllech and follows J. E. Lloyd in placing it near Ystradgynlais.

It is to be noted that their encounter with the ‘French’ (that is, Anglo-Norman) forces suggests that they were not simply defending the dynastic lands in mid Wales, but had penetrated deep into the south-west part of Brycheiniog, for Aber-llech is located close to Ystradgynlais.31

He goes on to show that some members of the dynasty of Elystan Glodrydd were active in Brycheiniog due to the loss of lands in Buellt.32 Stephenson’s second article published in 2013 entitled ‘Conquerors, Courtiers and Careerists: the struggle for supremacy in Brycheiniog 1093–1282’ also briefly notes the conflict at Aberllech and importantly draws attention to the fact that the Welsh leaders Ifor and Gruffudd were not men of Brycheiniog, but representatives of the dynasty of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren, a territory covering Radnorshire and Builth.33

3.3 Battle Location

The place name Aberllech is comprised of two elements, aber, meaning either the entry of a river into the sea, or a confluence of two rivers, and llech, meaning a stone, more particularly a slab. As the context of the available information makes a coastal site unlikely, the battle is perhaps best looked for at the confluence of two rivers, one of which is called Llech. Two possible sites have been previously suggested for Aber Llech. Theophilus Jones in 1808 suggested it was ‘in Monouthshire’, without elaborating further and J. E. Lloyd in his 1911 book, A History of Wales, suggested it was on the river Llech near Ystradgynlais. A third possibility, not previously suggested, also exists in the Cilieni valley, north of Sennybridge.

28 W. Rees, ‘The Medieval Lordship of Brecon’, Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion for 1915-1916, (1917), 165–224. 29 Nelson, Normans in South Wales, p. 91. 30 The minor nature of the event is perhaps best reflected in the lack of reference to it in R. R. Davies seminal Conquest, Coexistence and Change: Wales 1063-1415 (Oxford, 1987), reprinted in paperback as The Age of Conquest 1063–1415 (Oxford, 1991). 31 David Stephenson, ‘Mawl Hywel ap Goronwy: Dating and Context’, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies, 57 (2009), 43-4. 32 Ibid, 45. 33 David Stephenson, ‘Conquerors, Courtiers and Careerists: the Struggle for Supremacy in Brycheiniog 1093– 1282’, Brycheiniog, 44 (2013), 30. 11

3.3.1 The River Llech in Pen Rhos, Monmouthshire

Theophilus Jones in his History of the County of Brecknock (1808) makes the following brief reference to the battle of Aberllech. The scattered remains of their forces attempted to reach England, but were intercepted by Griffith and Ivor, the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan, at a place called Aberllech in Monmouthshire, where the Welsh again triumphed and satiated their revenge with the blood of their late masters, so that for some time no safety remained for those Normans who continued in the country, but such as their stone walls and castles afforded them34 Jones drew upon Powel’s 1584 work The Historie of Cambria for his basic information and interprets it as meaning that the French were returning eastwards, following events in Brycheiniog, hence the location of Aberllech in Monmouthshire. No further evidence is provided for this statement making an identification difficult, but two possibilities can be suggested. The Lecha is mentioned in the Book Of Llandaf (written c.1135) where it is named as the western boundary of Llan Llwyd35 and Jonathan Coe in his Phd ‘The Place-names in the book of Llandaf’ identifies it with the unnamed stream which runs down the western boundary of Tal y Coed wood and joins the River Trothy, on an obvious direct route between Abergavenny and Monmouth, about one mile east of Llantilio Crosseny (SO 416150).36 This flat area in a shallow valley is the most likely candidate for an identification in Monmouthshire. Another possibility relies upon Bradney who identifies the river Llechau in the same area from a document dated 1576 which names the llecha as the stream that runs ‘from Pen pwll y calch to the Wechan’.37 Penpwll y Calch is at (SO 423135) and a stream runs in a SSW direction before joining Nant Wechan (SO 427128), technically an aber of the river Llech, but it is in a place not seemingly on any useful transport route. 3.3.2 Nant Llech, near Ynyswen, Breconshire

In his brief discussion of the events of 1096 in Breconshire, J. E. Lloyd suggested that Aberllech should be associated with the river known as Nant Llech that joins the Tawe near Ynyswen (SN 833128), to the north of Ystradgynlais. As he freely admits in in his footnote this is an identification based upon the, not unreasonable, inference that the French were returning to Glamorgan from Breconshire.38 Another of Lloyd’s footnotes shows that he based this identification upon the 1898 edition of Theophilus Jones’ History of Brecknock in which Nant Llech is described and includes the line ‘At the Aber of this little river…’39 This would seem to have influenced Lloyd’s suggestion. Due to Lloyd’s work being the standard reference work on medieval Welsh history for most of the twentieth century his suggestion, for that is all that it is, has been repeated many times and become accepted as a ‘fact’, however, there are no earlier references to this identification and no further evidence to support it.

34 Theophilus Jones, A History of the County of Brecknock (Brecknock, 1805), Vol. I, p. 94. 35 J. Gwenogvryn Evans and John Rhys (eds.), The Text of the Book of Llan Dâv (Oxford, 1893), p. 241. 36 Jonathan Baron Coe, ‘The Place-Names of the Book of Llandaf’ (unpublished PhD Dissertation, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2001), p. 472. 37 J. A. Bradney, A History of Monmouthshire (London, 1914), vol 2, p. 91, quoting a document from 1576. 38 Lloyd, History of Wales, p. 406 n. 29. 39 Theophilus Jones, A History of the County of Brecknock (Brecknock, 1898), p. 490. 12

3.3.3 Aber Llech, near Sennybridge, Breconshire

Another possibility, not previously suggested, is a site near the house of Aber Llech in the Cilieni valley, just north of Sennybridge To the south of this house is a site where a stream called Llech Brook, runs down Cwm Llech and meets the river Cilieni (SN 912322), thereby fulfilling the criteria of a confluence of two rivers, one of which is called the Llech.40 If this is the site meant, it begs the question where would Anglo-Norman forces be coming from and going too? One possibility is that the French troops were returning to Brecon having fought to the west, possibly at Llandeilo’r Fan. This church is recorded in the Book of Llandaf as Lan Guruaet41 and also in a list of churches held by Bishop Joseph42 that Coe dates to the year 1025.43 This gives a plausible reason for French troops to be in the area and the site where the stream that flows down Cwm Llech joins the Cilieni could have been when they were ambushed returning to their stronghold at Brecon.

This area would also seem to make the most sense of the involvement by Gruffudd and Ifor, the sons of Idnerth whom the genealogical texts, discussed in 3.1.4, associate with the area now covered by southern Radnorshire, just over the hills to the north of Llandeilo’r Fan.

3.3.4 Assessment of different sites

The problem remains the interpretation of where the Anglo-Norman troops were returning to and where they started out from. The primary sources provide no details other than they were returning to lands held securely by them from lands still harried by the Welsh and all three identifications above involve three different interpretations. On the balance of evidence the site near Llantilio Croseny seems too far into Anglo-Norman territory, as it was in 1096, for the Welsh to carry easily carry out a successful raid. The Nant Llech near Ynyswen is a possible site, but further evidence of the activities of the Anglo-Normans in Glamorgan at this time would be required to confirm it. Aber Llech north of Sennybridge is another possible site and makes the best sense of the involvement of the sons of Idnerth. However, it must be remembered that the event was a very minor affair and it is unlikely that the site will ever be securely located.

3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment

No medieval finds of archaeological significance have been located near any of the three possible sites following a search of the Portable antiquities scheme database, Archwilio and Coflein. A study of Tithe maps at all three sites has uncovered no evidence and the site at Aber Llech near Sennybridge is also covered by a map drawn in 1793 (NLW 7860) that shows nothing relevant. As the conflict was only a minor ambush, no earthworks or other features are likely to exist that might show up on aerial photographs.

3.5 Historical Significance of the Battle

Following the ambush at Aberllech in 1096 the Anglo-Normans consolidated their conquests in Brycheiniog with further castle building and the chronicles are silent as to any further

40 Aberystwyth NLW 7860 ‘Aberllech from a map of 1793 A. D.’ 41 Evans and Rhys, Book of Llan Dav, p. 154. 42 Ibid, p. 255. 43 Coe ‘Placenames’, p. 429. 13

setbacks. King William returned to Wales in 1097 and reached St Davids, it is likely that open conflict with the Welsh was avoided on this occasion and the Anglo-Normans were pursuing their policy controlling the areas they had conquered by building castles and avoiding open conflict when possible.44 This concentration on ‘positional warfare’ rather than ‘open warfare’ worked well for the Anglo-Normans and by 1100 the valleys and open lands of South Wales were under their control and the Welsh were restricted to the higher ground. Aberllech can be seen as one of the last minor victories by the Welsh, before the Anglo- Normans completed their initial colonisation of the fertile valleys of southern Wales.

44 Nelson, Coming of the Normans, pp. 115–7. 14

4. Bibliography

4.1 Primary Sources

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle edited and translated by Michael Swanton, (London, 1996).

Annales Cambriae edited by James Williams Ab Ithel (London, 1860).

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 and translated by Henry Gough Cooper (Forthcoming).

Book of Llan Dav edited by J. Gwenogvryn Evans and John Rhys (Oxford, 1893)

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).

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

Gwaith Meilyr Brydydd a’I Ddisgynyddion (Cardiff, 1994).

Historia et Cartularium Monasterii Sancti Petri Gloucestriae edited by W. H. Hart, (London, 1865).

4.2 Secondary Sources

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

Bradney, J. A., A History of Monmouthshire vol 2, (London, 1914).

Coplestone-Crow, B., ‘Trewalkin and its Anglo-Norman lords’, Brycheiniog, 26 (1993/4), 43–51.

Davies, R. R., Conquest, Coexistence and Change: Wales 1063-1415 (Oxford, 1987), reprinted in paperback as The Age of Conquest 1063–1415 (Oxford, 1991).

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

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, Theophilus, A History of the County of Brecknock, 2 vols, (Brecknock, 1805).

Jones, Theophilus, A History of the County of Brecknock, (Brecknock, 1898).

Lieberman, Max, The Medieval March of Wales: The Creation and Perception of a Frontier 1066–1283, (Cambridge, 2010).

Lloyd, J. E., A History of Wales: From the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest, 2 vols, (Oxford, 1911).

Maund, K. L., Ireland, Wales, and England in the Eleventh Century (Woodbridge, 1991).

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

Nelson, Lynn H., The Normans in South Wales, 1070–1171 (Austin, 1966).

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

Rees, W., ‘The Medieval Lord ship of Brecon’, The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion for 1915-1916, 165–224.

Stephenson, David, ‘Mawl Hywel ap Goronwy: Dating and Context’, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies, 57 (2009), 41–9.

Stephenson, David, ‘Conquerors, Courtiers and Careerists: the Struggle for Supremacy in Brycheiniog 1093–1282’, Brycheiniog, 44 (2013), 27–49.

Walker, David, ‘The Norman settlement in Wales’ Proceedings of the Battle Abbey Conference 1978 (Ipswich, 1979), 131–43.

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

4.2.1 Unpublished secondary sources

Coe, Jonathan Baron, ‘The Place-Names of the Book of Llandaf’ (unpublished Phd Dissertation, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2001)

4.3 Cartographic Sources

1793 Aberystwyth, NLW Map 7860 Aberllech. (Spelt as Aberllach on NLW catalogue).

1813 Llandovery 3 (Ordnance Survey Drawing 191 part 2).

1813 Usk (Ordnance Survey Drawing 203).

1839 Tithe map and Schedule for the parish of Llandeilo’r Fan (#111)

1839 Tithe map and Schedule for the parish of Ystradgynlais (#160)

1841 Tithe map and Schedule for the parish of Llywel is Clydach (#146)

1843 Tithe Map and Schedule for the parish of Llantilio Crosseny (#789)

4.4 Web Resources

Archwilio 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

5. Maps of Potential Sites

Nant Llech

Boundary of Area of Interest

Potential site

Figure 1: Location Map indicating potential site of the Battle of Aberllech, north of Ystradgynlais.

River Llech

Boundary of Area of Interest

Potential site

Figure 2: Location Map indicating potential site of the Battle of Aberllech in Monmouthshire.

Llech Brook

Boundary of Area of Interest

Potential site

Figure 3: Location Map indicating potential site of the Battle of Aberllech, north of Sennybridge.