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Edward I's conquest of Wales (1277–1283) was one of the defining achievements of his reign. Through two military campaigns and a massive programme of castle building, Edward brought Wales under permanent English control. This lesson examines the background, the campaigns, and the consequences of the conquest.
Before Edward's campaigns, Wales was not a unified kingdom. It was divided into several independent Welsh principalities, the most important of which were:
| Principality | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Gwynedd | North Wales | The most powerful Welsh principality; mountainous terrain provided natural defence |
| Powys | Central Wales | Often caught between Gwynedd and the English Marcher lords |
| Deheubarth | South Wales | Had been powerful but was weakened by internal divisions |
The most powerful Welsh ruler was Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last), Prince of Gwynedd. In 1267, the Treaty of Montgomery had recognised Llywelyn as Prince of Wales — the first time an English king had formally acknowledged a Welsh prince's authority over the other Welsh lords.
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