Battle of Maes Moydog

The Battle of Maes Moydog was a battle that took place at the field of Moydog (Welsh: "Maidog", also "Meidiog") 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.

The battle

Madog's opponent was the earl of Warwick, 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; but Warwick's innovative deployment of archers and crossbows gave the English the upper hand. Madog's men, apparently after having fought their way out of the encirclement, 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.

ee also

* Madog ap Llywelyn

References

* Richard Morgan, 'Thesseweit', "Montgomeryshire Collections" Vol. 68, pp. 87-9 (1980).
* J. E. Morris, "The Welsh Wars of Edward I" (Oxford, 1901).