The Most devastating Weapon in Medieval History! - Battle of Crug Mawr 1136

Fascinating- I live about a mile from Crug Mawr, the hill now being located just outside the village of Penparc, a mile or so North East of the town of Aberteifi/Cardigan. My understanding of the battle from other sources suggests that the Norman/Flemish infantry broke and ran after being decimated by the Welsh archers, following which the Welsh cavalry attacked the breaking formations. The Norman cavalry seeing the rout developing in front of them then broke and rode away seeking both to escape by crossing the River Teifi at Cardigan and also seeking shelter in Cardigan Castle. Those who didn’t make it into the castle, or across the narrow single lane wooden bridge were massacred by the pursuing Welsh forces and many drowned trying to cross the river, including many of the Norman commanders. Apparently this is the first recorded instance of the war-bow/long-bow having a decisive impact on the outcome of a medieval battle in Northern Europe. If the Saxons had had some Welsh longbow men at the battle of Hastings then the outcome may have been different and the history of Britain been very different without a ‘Norman Conquest’. History is so fascinating as is the speculation over the ifs and buts of how things might have turned-out differently. The Norman Castle in Cardigan is still very evident 900years later having been rebuilt by the Normans in stone from the original Mott&Bailey (and then captured by the Welsh) the initial Welsh Eisteddfod (cultural celebration of song, dance and poetry etc.) being held at the castle in 1176. Very good remains of the Norman castle at Cilgerran also still evident a few miles upstream - associated with the origins of the Norman/Welsh Fitzgerald family that later formed part of the Norman invasion of Ireland.

It was nice to see a video of the Normans getting their butts kicked.

terrible micro management of the forces, he could have just selected his infantry units and double click an attack order

Even as a big fan of the Normans, being scandinavian myself and them having that origin; I have to give it to the Welsh. For facing the greatest warriors of the 11th-12th century, they put up a better fight than most for a while before being conquered.

It is a rare case for someone to have no ranged units at all.

Wouldn't it have been more effective for the Norman infantry to advance from the start to the Welsh line in spite of the arrow volleys, because it is harder to hit a moving target with a bow than a stationary one because the archers have to find the range where the arrows fall to be accurate and they could just as easily advanced holding their shields up to deflect the arrows, while this was going on their calvary could do a flanking maneuver to get behind the Welsh front line and take out the archers, I never heard of this battle before or the outcome but soon as the video showed the Welsh had 1500 bow man and the Noman had zero , I knew the Welsh must have won

Arrows were the medieval drones

Excellent cinematics as always. Cheers from Tennessee

these videos are so good.

The Welsh sure turned a potential grinding disaster into a victory, all because of the Norman cavalry charge that was supposed to break them.

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The Longbow is the longest running, and most deadly of weapons for centuries. Yes, other weapons came and went, but the Longbow has remained even to this day. I have been shooting a bow and arrow for the last 71 years. I am now 81. Doctor George Whitehead (La Jolla, CA.

Excellent animation on an often overlooked subject: the Welsh wars. One thing , the _Crug_ in Crug Mawr is pronounced 'Kreeg' - not 'Kroog' - 🤦

Aah the Longbow. The only weapon in history that can genuinely nail the opposition to their position.

Dude thank you!!! I've been waiting so long for a Welsh victory!!!

I really like the combination of animated maps and realistic simulation. It gives a very good understanding of the battle.

The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 (forcing King John to limit his own rights or get turned into a human pincushion), so what we're seeing here is part of the lead up to that - a change where commoners with bows could dominate heavily armored nobility. That in turn is the underpinnings of modern civil rights as opposed to one asshole on a throne being "the law".

That nice armor is problematic when you need to run away. Once the route started their treasured armor suddenly became an anchor. 💀 The Normans had no ranged units at all? Oops, they must have gotten used to hiring Welsh archers for that and they were currently in open rebellion. 🏹

Buddy, the sources also do not cite the use of longbows or any weapons used in this battle for that matter. It's only hypothesized by historians today that they MIGHT have used longbows.

Crug Mawr is near Sugar Loaf mountain near Abergavenny