Without fear or favour
Summer 1198. Gwenwynwyn of Powys marched on the English garrison at Painscastle in Elfael, at the head of a united army of Welsh rulers. His purpose, according to the Welsh chronicles, was to drive out the English and restore the ancient rights and customs of his people.
I sometimes get accused of ignoring Welsh unity in the medieval period, in favour of internal conflicts and alliances with the English. This is part of my dastardly plot to ensure that Wales remains part of the British Empire, obviously. Or something equally absurd.
The truth is I discuss all of it, without fear or favour: the history is what it is, and nothing should be brushed aside. If you don't like something that happened seven hundred years ago, you will just have to lump it. I don't like baked beans, much, but they absolutely refuse to go away.
Anyway. Gwenwynwyn's achievement is all the more remarkable, since he had been at war with just about everyone, only a few months previously. How he stitched together a coalition, in such difficult circumstances, is not easy to understand.
Who were his allies? The most important were the Venedotians (men of Gwynedd). According to the Annals of Chester, many nobles of North Wales were present, along with the men of Llywelyn Fawr. However, Llywelyn himself seems to have stayed in Gwynedd. Instead the named leader of the Venedotians was his cousin, Maredudd ap Cynan.
Another ally was Owain ap Cadwallon of Maelienydd, a territory that had been overrun by the Mortimers in 1195. This probably explains why he joined Gwenwynwyn, who may have sheltered Owain for the past three years. Another was Anarawd ab Einion, ruler of Elfael, where the English fortress of Painscastle was located. There was also Rhirid ap Iestyn, probably a man of Gwent or Glamorgan, and Robert ap Hywel. These last two are difficult to trace.
The recent history should be considered. In 1195 Matilda St Valery, wife of William de Braose, had led an army to Painscastle and 'slaughtered the Welsh'. Afterwards she rebuilt the castle, probably named Castell Matilda or Maud in her honour. Then, in 1196, the aged Lord Rhys of Deheubarth won a great victory over the Marchers at Radnor. He followed up marching into Elfael and retaking Painscastle. Rhys died soon after, which enabled the English to re-occupy the fortress.
So, in July 1198, Gwenwynwyn mustered his grand army and besieged Painscastle. While the siege was in progress, the English scrambled their own forces.