Llywelyn ap Gruffudd's victory over his brothers consolidated his sole rule of Gwynedd, enabling his later expansion and dominance in Wales.
Key Facts
- Date
- June 1255
- Duration
- No more than one hour
- Owain's captivity
- Approximately 20 years
- Owain released
- 1277 under Treaty of Aberconwy
- Owain's death
- c. 1282
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the death of Prince Dafydd ap Llywelyn in 1246, the Treaty of Woodstock forced a split of Gwynedd west of the Conwy between Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother Owain Goch. Relations between the brothers deteriorated during the early 1250s, leading Llywelyn to challenge both Owain and their brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd for sole control of the kingdom.
At Bwlch-derwin in Eifionydd, Gwynedd, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd met his brothers Dafydd ap Gruffudd and Owain Goch ap Gruffydd in battle on 8 June 1255. The engagement lasted no longer than an hour and ended in a decisive victory for Llywelyn; both brothers were captured and imprisoned.
Dafydd was released relatively quickly and served in Gwynedd's royal government until his defection to England in the mid-1260s. Owain remained imprisoned for roughly 20 years before being freed under the Treaty of Aberconwy in 1277, after which he retired quietly. Llywelyn's undisputed authority allowed him to recover lost Welsh territory in 1257 and 1260, ushering in a period of stability lasting until the mid-1270s.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.
Side B
1 belligerent
Dafydd ap Gruffudd, Owain Goch ap Gruffydd.