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Archer & Bowman |
The Welsh Wars and the Most-Feared Weapon
Edward I was devoted to protecting his interests in France - but he also wanted a united Britain. This led him to do battle in Wales and Scotland.
In Wales there was little unity. Their strongest prince was Llewellyn Prince of North Wales - but there were many factions. This meant that to conquer Wales would mean a long campaign rather than one decisive battle. The Marcher lords, the Mortimers, the Bohuns and the Clares, were meant to keep the frontiers safe for the King. But in fact they were untrustworthy and disloyal.
Edward I was determined. His army consisted for the first time of paid troops who had superior armour and weaponry. In 1282 Llewellyn was killed in a skirmish at Builth and six months later his brother Daffyd was captured by the English and executed. In 1284 the Statute of Rhuddlan declared Edward I the conqueror of Wales.
LLEWELLYN AP GRUFFUDD (c. 1228-1282)- Prince of North Wales
- Came the nearest to creating unity in Wales by restoring lands to their rightful owners
- Became the first and last native prince to be recognised by the English Crown
- Forced to accept the peace of Aberconwy 1278, in 1282 the Welsh rebelled again
- Died in Builth that year and his brother was captured and executed in 1283
- The Statute of Wales ended Welsh independence
Edward I having conquered Anglesey for the first time agreed to Llewellyn's marriage to Eleanor de Montfort and was even present at the ceremony.During his Welsh campaign Edward I used paid troops for the first time.
 
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| 1264 | Second Barons' War
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| 1265 | De Montfort dies at Battle of Evesham
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| 1271 | Marco Polo goes to China
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| 1272 | Henry III dies
Edward I becomes King
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| 1274 | Edward returns from his Crusade and is crowned King
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| 1277 | Edward begins his campaign in Wales
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| 1282 | Llewellyn, Prince of North Wales dies at Builth
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| 1283 | Edward I conquers Wales, Statute of Wales
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| 1290 | Edward expels Jews from England
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| 1291 | Edward arbitrates over Scottish succession
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| 1292 | John Balliol, King of Scots
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| 1296 | Edward begins his campaign in Scotland
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| 1306 | Robert I, the Bruce, King of Scotland
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| 1307 | Edward I dies
Edward II becomes King
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| WELSH COUNTIES SET UP BY THE STATUTE OF WALES | | • | Anglesey |
| • | Carnarvon |
| • | Merioneth |
| • | Cardigan |
| • | Camarthen |
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