Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd refused to pay homage to Edward I. He considered himself an equal and the ruler of wales. Although talks took place, Llywelyn was stubborn, and stood his ground. In 1277 war was declared by Edward against the rebellious Prince. He prepared an army to crush the tough warrior tribesmen.

The Marcher Lords who occupied land in close proximity, kept the Welsh at bay. The opposing armies were quite different. The Welsh forces consisted of irregulars armed with sword and spear, plus the formidable Welsh longbow. For the most part they wore no armor. They could move very fast and preferred the ambush, rather than all out battle.

Edward fielded at least a thousand knights in armor, most of his followers were infantrymen including crossbowmen and archers. Edward planned for an early victory by cutting of the Welsh armies food supply. Many Welshmen fought on the side of Edward, against their own countrymen. This included Llywelyn's brother David.

Edward captured Anglesey, using ships, and cut of the food supply to the Welsh army. Llywelyn, faced with destruction or starvation, surrendered to Edward. In November 1277 Llywelyn swore allegiance to Edward.

War broke out in 1282 when Llywelyn and his brother David merged forces. Fed up with poor treatment from the English crown officials, they attached several English castles on the north coast of Wales. Pushing the offensive towards Chester, their actions infuriated Edward and his armies moved on the Welsh from three directions, while his ships once again isolated Anglesey.

A quick victory for the English seemed certain, until the commander of a force of English Knights on Anglesey ordered his men to cross the Menai straits and confront the Welsh. The English leader, Luke De Tany defied Edward's order not to attach until he had given the command. They were ambushed by the Welsh, and slaughtered. After this small victory the Welsh leaders ceased negotiations and continued to raid the Marcher lands.

A quick victory for Edward was taken away by Luke De Tany's failure to follow orders. Edward now planned to step up his winter campaign. In December 1282 Llywelyn was killed in a skirmish with English knights near the town of Builth in mid-Wales. His body was mutilated, his head was placed on top of a pole outside the entrance to the Tower of London.

Edward now constructed magnificent castles to strengthen his control of Wales. Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech are only a few, and remain well preserved to this day.

To Be Continued .....