The Battle of Maes Cogwy (Maserfield) was fought on 5 August 641 or 642. The seventh century in Britain was a period where kingdoms continually strived to establish themselves. There were many boundary shifts as they attempted to acquire new lands and defend existing ones. In the build up to The Battle of Maes Cogwy, Cadwallon ap Cadfan, King of Gwynedd had driven Edwin of Northumbria from his kingdom and allied with Penda of Mercia in a counter attack. This resulted in the Battle of Hatfield Chase in 633, at which Edwin was killed and the kingdom of Northumbria temporarily collapsed. The following year Oswald (Edwin's nephew), regained control of Northumbria, defeating and killing Cadwallon ap Cadfan at The Battle of Heavenfield. It would appear that Oswald then went on the offensive against Penda and the Welsh kingdom of Powys, as the next action occurs at The Battle of Maes Cogwy. This action occurred at Oswestry (‘Oswald's Tree’), now in Shropshire, but at the time in the kingdom of Pengwern (a sub-kingdom of Powys). The outcome of the battle was defeat for the Northumbrians and the death of Oswald, which resulted in once again, the internal weakening and fracturing of the Northumbrian kingdom. It strengthened the positions of Powys and Gwynedd and left Penda as ‘the most formidable king in England.
910 The last major Viking army to raid England, led by King Edward and Earl Æthelred, is defeated at the Battle of Tettenhall by the allied forces of Mercia and Wessex.
On 5th August 1063, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn was slain ‘through the treachery of his own men.’ Gruffydd was undoubtedly the outstanding Welsh ruler of the 11th century and is remembered as ‘the only Welsh king ever to rule over the entire territory of Wales’. He was known as the ’Shield of Wales’ and the ‘terror of its enemies’. He was a ruthless leader, with his hands stained with the blood of rivals and opponents alike, as he strove to drive Wales into a unified country and to defend it from its enemies.
1388 – Battle of Otterburn
The Battle of Otterburn, fought on August 5, 1388, was a notable conflict between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England.
This battle was part of the ongoing border wars between the two nations. Scottish forces, led by James, 2nd Earl of Douglas, clashed with English troops under Sir Henry Percy, known as
The Scots achieved a decisive victory despite being outnumbered, and Earl Douglas was mortally wounded. The battle was celebrated in Scottish ballads and became a symbol of Scottish bravery and military prowess, further fueling the animosity and rivalry between the two kingdoms.
1583 – Sir Humphrey Gilbert Establishes English Colony
On August 5, 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed St. John’s, Newfoundland, for England, establishing the first English colony in North America. Gilbert, under a royal patent granted by Queen Elizabeth I, sought to expand English influence and establish a base for future exploration and colonization.
1620 – The Mayflower Departs
On August 5, 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Southampton, England, on its first attempt to reach North America. The ship carried Pilgrims, Separatists seeking religious freedom, who aimed to establish a new settlement in the New World.
On 5th August 1645, King Charles I visited Colonel Edward Prichard at Llancaiach Fawr, a Tudor manor house near the village of Nelson as part of rallying tour through South Wales prior to the decisive Battle of Naseby during the English Civil War.
Llancaiach Fawr is considered to be one of the most important Gentry houses to have survived from the 16th and 17th century period. Built for Dafydd ap Richard in 1530, the Manor, the original defensive design incorporated four-foot thick walls and stout wooden doors, which when securely closed split the Manor in two and ensured that the inner east wing provided a safe and secure place of refuge during the troubled times.
1861 – Abolition of Flogging in the U.S. Army
On August 5, 1861, the United States Army officially abolished the practice of flogging as a form of punishment. This decision was part of a broader movement to reform military discipline and improve the humane treatment of soldiers.
Kitchener 1914 WWI: Field Marshal Lord Kitchener appointed Secretary of War after British declaration of war on Germany.
5 Aug 1969 George Harrison had his new Moog synthesizer brought into the studio for The Beatles to use in finishing their forthcoming album Abbey Road. Moog overdubs were recorded onto the new song 'Because'.
I hadn't heard of Llancaiach Fawr so looked it up and found this image. Definitely looks worth a visit. 👍
PS After posting I discovered it's currently closed, but the local council hopes to reopen it 'with a different operating model' - whatever that means.
@FreddieUK It would - but the new owners still need find the cash to maintain it. I don't know if Cadw can do this but the NT might be able to find tenants for part of the building, leaving the important rooms as still their own museum.
