Welsh uprising of 1211
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Peace treaty with King John
| Welsh Rebellion of 1211 | |||||||
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| Part of List of Anglo-Welsh wars | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
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Kingdom of Gwynedd Kingdom of Deheubarth | Kingdom of England | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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Llywelyn the Great William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber Robert of Shrewsbury |
King John Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor Peter des Roches Thomas Moulton (knight) | ||||||
The Welsh Rebellion of 1211 was a rebellion by several Welsh princes, orchestrated by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth with primary support from Gwenwynwyn of Powys, Maelgwn ap Rhys, and Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor against King John of England.[1] Although technically defeated, this uprising resulted in increased independence from England for the Welsh.
In the Norman Conquest of 1066, the Norman army of William the Conqueror conquered England, and English earldoms of Chester, Shrewsbury, and Hereford were created on England's border with Wales. These strategic political centres served as key points in military action against the Welsh. Despite the strategic advantage these areas gave the Normans, only one Welsh kingdom fell under Norman control during William's reign: the southeast Kingdom of Gwent.
By 1100, Norman lords control included Brecon, Cardigan, Glamorgan and Pembroke. This led to the establishment of the March of Wales, an area previously ruled by Welsh kings.
The Welsh resisted Norman and Anglo-Saxon control in the twelfth century. The kingdoms of Deheubarth, Gwynedd and Powys, became a firmly established base for Welsh statehood. Aberffraw (Gwynedd), Dinefwr (Deheubarth), and Mathrafal (Powys) had become the centers of Welsh culture and politics. The establishment of these kingdoms started a period of stability and growth for the Welsh, including flourishing agriculture, scholarship and Welsh literature. The Welsh lacked strength as an entity, however, because although allies, the Welsh kings ruled separately, and swore allegiance to England's crown.