HISTORIC-

 

 

Home 

Accommodation:
 - Stay UK
      - England
      - Scotland
      - Wales
 - Europe &
        Ireland
Our Selections:
      - Castles
      - Cottages
      - Country 
        House Hotels
      - Bed and 
        Breakfast
      - Boats

History UK
   - England
   - Scotland  
   - Wales
   - LivingHistory

Destinations UK

Culture UK

Marketplace UK

Links UK

About Us
Join Us
Contact Us

Site Map
Disclaimer
Privacy Statement

 

UK.com
THE history and heritage accommodation guide                                                                                SITE MAP


Welcome to History UK - the History of Wales!

THE OGRE OF ABERGAVENNY

In the 12th century, the Norman Lord William de Breos earned the undying hatred of the Welsh people because of his cruelty.  He is remembered as the Ogre of Abergavenny.

Painscastle CastleOne of his strongholds was at Llanbedr Painscastle and it was here on August 12th 1198 that the 'ogre' and an army of Englishmen slaughtered 3000 Welsh in one of the bloodiest battles in Welsh history. The River Bachawy is said to have run red with blood for weeks afterwards.

It is said that the reason for the battle was that the Welsh, led by Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys, were out for revenge for the murder of his cousin Trahaiarn Fychan who, on the orders of Lord William, had been dragged through Brecon tied to a horses' tail and then beheaded.

However it took a man even more cruel than Lord William to finally overthrow him!

That man was King John of England who in the early 13th century stripped Lord William of all his lands and the 'ogre' died a beggar.

Corfe CastleLord William's wife Maud foolishly told King John that she believed that he had murdered his nephew Prince Arthur.  King John had Maud and her son imprisoned in Corfe Castle in 1210 for daring to say such a thing!

Maud and her son were put in a cell with only a piece of raw bacon and a sheaf of wheat to eat, and when the door was re-opened 11 days later, both lay dead on the floor.  In her agony of starvation, Maud had half-eaten the cheeks of her son.

 

Useful links:

Painscastle Castle,  4.5m NW of Hay-on-Wye, Powys


Heritage Accommodation in Wales

© E.P.C.

More British History
 History of England - History of Scotland - History of Wales