{"id":2801,"date":"2018-04-08T14:52:30","date_gmt":"2018-04-08T14:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=2801"},"modified":"2026-07-20T16:14:38","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T16:14:38","slug":"edward-is-conquest-of-wales","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/british-history\/plantagenets\/edward-is-conquest-of-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Edward I’s Conquest of Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Edward I launched a series of campaigns in which the English conquered Wales. It led to the establishment of a series of English Castles around Wales and the beginning of the symbolic act of crowning the heir to England’s throne as the Prince of Wales. The Conquest followed war against Welsh princes of Gwynedd.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Edward<\/p>\n

Edward I’s Conquest of Wales<\/h2>\n

Prior to Edward I’s<\/a> accession the relationship between England and Wales had been mixed. A border was reasonably well defined by the Marcher Lords. The South Coast of Wales had much influence from the Normans. The North West, around Snowdonia, remained fiercely independent. This left central Wales as an area in which various lords sought to gain influence. Under the rule of Henry III<\/a> in England, the princes of Gwynedd had increased their presence in this region. The fractious nature of Henry’s relationship with his barons meant that instead of the English nobility being in the ascendancy in this part of Wales, the Princes of Wales, from the north west, were.<\/p>\n

Under John and Henry III’s<\/a> reign the threat from Wales had become more pronounced.\u00a0Llywelyn the Great had fought off English forces under John. Under Henry,\u00a0Llywelyn was confirmed as the holder of authority in Wales. Yet whilst Wales grew stronger and more independent, it was also seeing a great level of English influence at court.\u00a0Llywelyn himself had married a daughter of Henry III<\/a>. Other nobles had made similar marriages for political reasons.<\/p>\n

Two generations after\u00a0Llywelyn the Greats achievement of securing authority, Wales had his grandson,\u00a0Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as their ruler. He was master of more of Wales than any Welsh Prince had controlled since the coming of the Normans in 1066.<\/p>\n

The death of Henry III presented Llywelyn with an opportunity. Wales paid homage to England. With that went a large payment. The grant of authority to Welsh Princes had been won by the sword. With a new king and the barons divided a new relationship could be forged between England and Wales.\u00a0Llywelyn arranged to marry the daughter of Simon de Montfort. A shrewd choice given the families influence over English nobles. He also stopped paying homage to England.<\/p>\n

The death of Henry III also presented an opportunity for the brothers of Llywelyn. They went to England in the hope of gaining more power through links with the English crown.<\/p>\n

Edward I<\/a> sent five summons to\u00a0Llywelyn for payment of homage. Such payment was quite normal in Medieval times, Edward himself paid the king of France homage for lands he held in France.\u00a0Llywelyn ignored each of the requests. Eventually, Edward<\/a> lost his patience and prepared to force the issue.<\/p>\n