Battle of Maes Moydog
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Maes Moydog was a battle that took place at the field of Moydog on 5 March 1295 during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn
and others against English rule, near the modern-day village of Llanfair Caereinion
in Powys
, Wales
.
William de Beauchamp
, who, on hearing that Madog's army were camped in a valley close to his base at Welshpool
, made a night march on 4 March and surrounded Madog's army. Madog had his spearmen form into a square, and repelled an English cavalry charge, killing around 10 men at arms. However Warwick's innovative deployment of archers
and crossbows gave the English the upper hand. Surrounded, Madog's men fought their way out of the encirclement and killed a further 90 English men, then retreated across the swollen river Banwy, in which many drowned. A second, smaller engagement near a place that the English records call 'Thesseweit' - the location of which remains uncertain - resulted in the loss of Madog's supply train. English losses totalled around one hundred dead; Welsh losses were placed at seven hundred. The battle was a crucial step in breaking Welsh resistance in the revolt; Madog went to ground and was captured in late July.
Madog ap Llywelyn
Madog ap Llywelyn, or Prince Madoc, was from a junior branch of the House of Aberffraw and a distant relation of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last recognised native Prince of Wales.-Lineage:...
and others against English rule, near the modern-day village of Llanfair Caereinion
Llanfair Caereinion
Llanfair Caereinion is a small town in Powys, east central Wales upon the River Banwy , around 6 miles west of Welshpool....
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
The battle
Madog's opponent was the earl of WarwickEarl of Warwick
Earl of Warwick is a title that has been created four times in British history and is one of the most prestigious titles in the peerages of the British Isles.-1088 creation:...
William de Beauchamp
William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick
William de Beauchamp, 9th Earl of Warwick was an English nobleman and soldier, described as a “vigorous and innovative military commander”...
, who, on hearing that Madog's army were camped in a valley close to his base at Welshpool
Welshpool
Welshpool is a town in Powys, Wales, or ancient county Montgomeryshire, from the Wales-England border. The town is low-lying on the River Severn; the Welsh language name Y Trallwng literally meaning 'the marshy or sinking land'...
, made a night march on 4 March and surrounded Madog's army. Madog had his spearmen form into a square, and repelled an English cavalry charge, killing around 10 men at arms. However Warwick's innovative deployment of archers
Archers
Archers may refer to:*People who practice archery*The Royal Company of Archers, a Scottish ceremonial unit*The Archers, long running BBC Radio 4 soap opera*"The Archers", nickname for British film-making partnership of Powell and Pressburger...
and crossbows gave the English the upper hand. Surrounded, Madog's men fought their way out of the encirclement and killed a further 90 English men, then retreated across the swollen river Banwy, in which many drowned. A second, smaller engagement near a place that the English records call 'Thesseweit' - the location of which remains uncertain - resulted in the loss of Madog's supply train. English losses totalled around one hundred dead; Welsh losses were placed at seven hundred. The battle was a crucial step in breaking Welsh resistance in the revolt; Madog went to ground and was captured in late July.