The whole land was waste

 

Brut y Tywysogion (Chronicle of the Princes) contains a lengthy account of a battle fought near Aberystwyth in March 1116. It was triggered by Gruffydd ap Rhys (c.1093-1137), father of the Lord Rhys of Deheubarth, and seems to have been an attempt to expand into Norman-held territory. Or, depending on one's perspective, to reclaim territory snatched by the Normans.

The account is detailed, perhaps written by an eyewitness. It commences with Gruffydd and his uncle, Rhydderch, attacking Blaenporth and its castle in southern Ceredigion. Gruffydd then marched north with his followers into Penweddig, where they burned Ystrad Peithyll castle. After this they camped at Glasgrug and plundered the religious house at Llanbadarn Fawr.

Gruffydd's chief target was the castle of Aberystwyth. This was held by Ralf, a Norman constable who had also held the castle at Ystrad Peithyll. Or he did, until Gruffydd burnt it. Ralf, 'in wrath at his loss', sent gallopers under cover of night to ask for help from the Norman garrison at Ystrad Meurig. They obligingly sent reinforcements.

The next day Gruffydd launched his assault. What followed is a convincingly messy, almost farcical encounter in which neither side really knew what they were doing. To quote the Brut:

'On the following day Gruffydd ap Rhys and Rhydderch, his uncle, along with him and his sons, Maredudd and Owain, arose and did not draw up or arrange their force aright save for placing the standards in the van; and like a furious rabble without a ruler over them they made their way towards the castle of Aberystwyth'.

The annalist was clearly unimpressed with the deployment and leadership of the Welsh army. Meanwhile Ralf had posted archers on the opposite bank of the River Ystwyth, to take pot-shots at the Welsh as they milled about on the other side. When they saw the bowmen, some of Gruffydd's men broke ranks and charged.

If the Welsh were showing lamentable discipline, the Normans weren't much better. One of Ralf's knights disobeyed orders and galloped down to attack the Welsh pouring over the bridge. They killed his horse and dragged down the rider, but were unable to pierce his mail before another Norman managed to pull him to safety. This triggered panic among the rest of the Normans, who turned their backs and fled.

The Welsh gave chase, only to blunder into the Norman rearguard, stationed on the brow of a hill. These men apparently swooped down to attack their own comrades – presumably to punish them for running away – as well as Gruffydd's men. The end result was utter chaos, as the scattered survivors of both armies took to wasting the countryside:

'And then all the inhabitants of the land were dispersed throughout the lands nearest them, some with their animals with them, others having left all their chattels without care for aught save they should find protection for their lives, so that the whole land was waste'.

Eventually Gruffydd ap Rhys found himself wandering about on his lonesome, so decided to call it a day. The Brut account ends on a pithy note:

'And Gruffudd ap Rhys fled to Ystrad Tywi, for that was a wild place'.