List of Anglo-Welsh Wars - Eighth Century

Eighth Century

The Welsh territories in the south west (now Cornwall and little more) defend themselves and win a reprieve. The borders of modern Wales are broadly defined as Mercian expansion begins to slow.

• 710 after defeating the West Welsh of Devon, led by Geraint of Dumnonia, and capturing the stronghold at Norton Fitzwarren, King Ine of Wessex builds a fortress at Taunton to defend his conquests. In the course of the battle King Geraint is slain.

• c.720 Battle of Hehil, in Dumnonia where the Cornish Welsh with support from Rhodri Molwynog are victorious against Wessex bringing some peace to the beleaguered Cornish for almost a century. The Brut records another battle "won honorably" in the same war between Rhodri and the Saxons.

• c.720 The Battle of Pencoed in Morgannwg, the Battle of Garth Maelog, and "another battle in Gwynedd" are cited by the Brut as "British victories", although explicitly separated from the war against the Saxons the same year.

• 722 Ine of Wessex advances as far as the River Tamar but is defeated and withdraws. The West Saxon fortress at Taunton is destroyed.

• 728 Battle of Carno Mountain in Gwent where the Welsh forced the Anglo-Saxons back to the River Usk where many were drowned.

• 733 Battle of Devawdan, another Welsh victory.

• 735 First Battle of Hereford where the Welsh are victorious after a long and bloody fight.

• 743 an allied army of Mercians and West Saxons fight the Welsh. Possible construction of Wat's Dyke.

• 752 where Eadberht of Northumbria invades the Kingdom of Strathclyde and conquered the territory of Kyle.

• 753 the West Saxons led by Cuthred fight the Welsh of Cornwall. The result is not known but the Cornish preserve their independence.

• 755 the westward expansion of Wessex resumes. Over the next thirty or so years eastern and northern Devon is permanently conquered by Wessex.

• 756 the Northumbrians led by Eadbert in alliance with the Picts invade the northern Welsh Kingdom of Strathclyde and defeat their king Dumnagual who is forced to submit thus becoming, for a while, a vassal of Northumbria. A second battle at Hereford is recorded as another Welsh vistory in the Brut y Tywysogion.

• 765 where the Welsh invade Mercia and cause much devastation.

• 769 Mercians campaign in Wales.

• 760 Battle of Hereford is recorded as a Welsh vistory against the Mercians led by Offa of Mercia. The Welsh were probably led by Elisedd ap Gwylog of Powys and his son Brochfael ap Elisedd.

• 780 the construction of Offa's Dyke begins. It appears this frontier ditch delineated an agreed frontier between Powys and Mercia.

• 784 it is presumed that Exeter was captured by Cynewulf of Wessex following a siege. The Welsh invade Mercia again causing havoc.

• 798 the Mercians led by Coenwulf of Mercia invade Wales but withdraw after killing Caradog ap Meirion.