DescriptionTo inform the consideration of The Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Wales , documentary and historical research was commissioned on the battle of Aberllech and the resulting research report provides a detailed overview (Gildas Research).
The ambush of Aberllech took place as part of the revolt of the Welsh against Anglo-Norman colonisation of Brycheiniog.
The Cottonian Chronicle for the year 1096 notes:
Brecheinauc et guent et guenliunc iugum francorum respuunt sed franci exercitum mouent in guent et nihil impetrantes uacui domum redeunt et in kellitrauant uersi sunt in fugam . Iterum uenerunt in brecheinauc et castella fecerunt in ea sed in reditu apud aberlech uersi sunt in fugam a filiis idnerth filii kadugaun (Gough-Cooper, c417.2).
Translation: The men of Brycheiniog and Gwent and Gwynllwg threw off the French yoke, but the French brought an army into Gwent, and they obtained nothing and returned home empty-handed; and at Kellitravant they were put to flight. A second time they came into Brycheiniog and built castles there, but on their return they were put to flight at Aberllech by the sons of Idnerth ab Cadwgan (Remfry, 211).
The Brutiau provide additional details, most importantly Gruffudd and Ifor as the names of the sons of Idnerth ap Cadwgan (Jones, 35).
The exact site of this ambush is uncertain, but three possible sites have been suggested, the River Llech in Pen Rhos, Monmouthshire (SO 416 150); Nant Llech, near Ynyswen, Breconshire (SN 833 128) and Aber Llech near Sennybridge, Breconshire (SN 912 322) (Gildas Research).
RCAHMW (Battlefields Inventory), Jan 2017
Bibliography
Gildas Research, The Battle of Aberllech 1096: Historical Assessment (2013).
Gough-Cooper, Henry (ed.) The Cottonian Chronicle: Annales Cambriae, The C Text from London, British Library, Cotton MS Domitian A. i, ff. 138r?155r, online edition.
Jones, Thomas (ed. and trans), Brut y Tywysogyon or the Chronicle of the Princes: Red Book of Hergest Version (Cardiff, University of Wales Press, 1955).
Remfry, Paul M. Annales Cambriae: A Translation of Harleian 3859: PRO E. 164/1: Cottonian Domitian, A1: Exeter Cathedral Library MS.3514 and MS Exchequer DB Neath, PRO E. 164/1 (Castle Studies Research, 2007).
