The Red Dragon- The Rebirth of Wales.

Chapter 2: Rebellion in Gwynned

Ieuan stood Upon the battlements of Conwy castle overlooking the mountainous coastline of gwynned, and of Wales, his home, this great, freedom loving, tolerant land that he so loved, was being ravaged by the English. Its forests where being torn down, its people taxed into poverty, its economy struggling, ever since the Great prince Llewellyn's death, this land had fallen into decay. But Ieuan wanted to change all that.

Conwy castle was built upon the ground where once stood Aberconwy abbey.
Abberconwy abbey was the Welsh peoples Canterbury, it had been the resting place of Llewellyn Fawr, Llewellyn ap Gruffyds grandfather. Llewellyn Fawr's dream was of a Wales united, and his grandson continued his legacy, until the ambitious, ruthless King Edward I invaded Wales, killed the great Price, built castles on his lands and destroyed Aberconwy abbey to erect this giant castle.



Conwy Castle

"Edward Plantagenet" Ieuan muttered to himself. The very thought of this man filled him with anger. Son of the Incompetent Henry III, Edward I was a military genius, but also a ruthless murderer. Tales of his deeds had spread far and wide. Molesting women in his youth, the maiming of a merchant by him and his friends, the slaughter of Londoners who had long fled the field at the battle of Lewes, the horrible massacre and mutilation of Simon de Montfort and his army at Evesham, and his bloody and unjust wars against Wales and Scotland. It was rumoured that these Anvengin Kings, the Plantagents where spawns of the devil himself, their line beginning in the womb of a witch in aqautaine.

But luckily, Edward had not been immortal; he had died over 100 years ago. Now, the last living descendent of Llewellyn ap Gruffyd was standing Victories upon the battlements of Edwards great Conwy castle. Ieuan had captured Conwy castle 3 days ago and his army was still recovering from the assault. The Siege had lasted a full month, from the 17th of April 1418 to the 19th of May 1418. The Welsh peoples had rallied to him as their Prince of Wales and in just four months, His forces had evicted every English garrison from the towns and castles of Gwynned and the peoples of the Powys where in Revolt against the Marcher lords on the borders of Wales. All of north Wales was now under control of Ieuan and his allies. All the welsh barons and lords of northern Wales had sworn allegiance to Ieaun, and where fielding small armies for the cause.

A Force of 2000 welsh bowmen and infantry where fighting an on and off defence under Davyd ap Iorwath near Cheshire, Owain ap rodrhi was leading and army from southern Gwynedd to the urgent help of the rebels in the powys and Ieuan planned to march from Aber into southern Gwynned ready to advance into southern Wales and Pembroke. The English, preoccupied by the wars in France where caught completely off guard, but a army of maybe 4000 English soldiers had been mustered by the Earl of Gloucester from the marches and southern Wales, and it hastened north to meet the rebellions in the North, and as it bribed or forced Welshmen into its service.




Ieuan's army was just under 3000 men strong, but it was composed of mostly militia and peasants, although some hardy welsh bowmen and knights graced the ranks. Their success so far had been mainly due to the element of Surprise, lightning quick raids and retreats and surprise attacks over mountain passes.

Ieuan continued to gaze across the landscape. He was the last descendent of Llewellyn ap Gruffyd, as he thought about that, the wind around him seemed to whistle and whisper to him, as though the voices of the past where calling upon him, calling on him to carry on the Legacy of Llewellyn Fawr.

Speaking into the wind he whispered, "Where our forefathers have failed, we shall prevail. I swear upon Llewellyn Fawr himself"

well, what do people think?

hmmm... i shall simply have to improve then!

Chapter 3: The Origin of Ieuan

Now, Ieuan was not some great, legendary hero of warfare, nor was he renowned for anything worth mentioning. He was not wealthy and owned neither lands or titles. In fact, Ieuan was Sixteen years old.

He had been a simple Servant in a welsh lords manner for the past six years ever since his father Amathaon had died, when he was taken in off the streets, his lord having pity on him. Before that he had been a simple serf

But Ieuan was incredibly charismatic. His master who often mingled with those of lesser folk sometimes welcomed him to his own dinner table, and Ieuan could win any debate hands down. He had a way of invoking revelations in people, for he would express an opinion or point of view that would completely turn a mans beliefs on its head.

Ieuan always knew he was a descendent of the great Princes of Wales, it had been passed down for generations, but it was always a secret, for it was thought by the world at large that Llewellyn ap Gruffyd had not ever produced and heir. If the secret got out, their family could be put into grave danger.

Ieuan's friend and fellow servant Aeron two years older then him did practice swordplay together, though only the novice things of children. Aeron was one of the few who knew Ieuan's lineage.

The Day that Ieuan's life was changed forever was a week after he turned fifteen. 5 Assassins broke into the manor of his lord, and it so happened that Ieuan was at the table that night. Nobody knows how he did it, but he managed to defend his master from these five, highly trained men. All of them fell before his feet.

His fame grew and so did the legend. First he was rumoured to have taken on the five, which was true, but then it became 15, then 40, and eventually the tale became that he took on 200 men wielding scimitars with a break stick as a sword and dinner plate as shield.

When Henry V of England imposed more taxes upon Wales in 1417 for his campaigns in France, the masses where outraged. Protests where put down violently. A small rebellion broke out around Cardiff in the south, now the largest town in Wales. The peasant rebellion was smashed and the serfs slaughtered. The Final insult came that December when the marcher lords and other angered nobles accused all welsh of being in league with the Lollard heretics and that all Welshmen should burn in hell. 137 years of bottled up anger suddenly exploded. Rebellions broke out all across Wales, mostly in the North.

But nobody knew whom to follow, where his or her allegiance lay. To Wales? Or to some other lord. The revolts where leaderless. Ieuan saw this chance to revive a reinvigorated Wales, and at last revealed his heritage to his lord. The later believed his claim and pledged his allegiance, and bid him go and press his claims elsewhere. During the next two months, he, Aeron and a handful of nights tralled across northern Wales seeking the allegiance of the welsh nobles and barons. His fame was now known in all of Wales at least, and his Charismatic cases and claims where irresistible. All but a staunch few supporters of Henry V pledged their allegiance, those who did not where soon defeated. By March, all of North Wales had rallied to him except for Conwy castle, which Iuean starved into submission only days ago.

All seemed very well for the Welsh Rebels, Ieuan thought so, but what he did not know was that Aeron was entering Conwy at that very moment, news that would indeed rock, if not frighten him."

Chapter four: Grave tidings

Conwy Castle loomed into the blue, summer skies as Aeron galloped across the causeway. He had half way across Gwynned from Davyd's army at lightning speed over the hills and mountains, his brown cloak and golden hair flying in the wind.

As he approached the gatehouse, he slowed to a trot, and was astounded to find that it was left unguarded. From within the sounds of music and laughter could be heard and Aeron curiously ventured in on his horse. As he passed under the gate he saw within the main courtyard, he saw a sight that angered him.

He had just ridden halfway across north Wales with a matter of utmost urgency, and here in the great Conwy castle, he found the gatehouse completely unguarded and what’s more, they where all drunk. Every soldier had removed their armour and where drinking, laughing and singing like there was no tomorrow. Few where left upon the battlements to keep watch and Ale and food was spread across the stone floors in a disgusting mess. A group of minstrels in foolish costumes where playing tunes at the back end of the courtyard, and the harlots of the nearby town had jumped upon the opportunity to make themselves some wages. The Entire populace of the castle was having a jolly good time.


Aeron was not however. Frowning in disgust at these fools, he dismounted and pushed his way into the crowd. Squeezing through the drunkards, he came upon a man passed out upon the ground, with two red haired "Ahem"... women standing over him, rather upset at having just lost a customer. They looked up, and at the sight of Aeron, their faces immediately lit up.

"Oh my my! Aren’t you the handsome young fellow,” they said slyly to him.
"Thank you ladies goodbye!" he said so sharply and coldly to them that their faces turned to white hot anger, and they hissed at him before stalking away. A groan from below told Aeron the unconscious man on the ground had come to. He was covered with food scraps and ale coated his face and soaked his tunic.

"You there! Food bag!" Aeron said abruptly, not in any mood to be kind.
"Where in this chaotic mess is your commander, Iuean and his Lieutenants?"
The man looked confused. "What’s... what is a lieutenant?""
Groaning, Aeron stepped over him and continued his search.

After brushing of an Idiot minstrel that kept dancing around him, he caught sight of a young man standing alone upon the battlements. He made his may towards him and up the stone stairs until he was away from all the clamour below.
"Ieuan!" he called loudly, smiling for the first time that day. Ieuan stood still and did nothing, still staring out across lands, as though he had not heard a thing.
'Oh heaven help us! He has lost his hearing in the siege!' he thought to himself with much alarm.
"Ieuan! He called again, and this time Ieuan broke out of his spell and heard him, turning towards him, his face lit up.
"Aeron! Its good to see you! What brings you here? The last time I saw you, you where setting of with Lord Davyd's army to Chester". Aerons smile suddenly turned to a frown.
"Yes, Chester...Ieuan, what in gods name is going on here? You have no sentry's posted on the walls or surrounding lands, the gatehouse is left unguarded; men are drinking and whoring about the castle! What if a counter attack was to come upon us now? And where are all the captives from the Siege?" he demanded with sudden anger.
The two where remarkably mature for their age, and would not hurl petty insults or taunts at each other.

"Aeron" Ieuan said. "My men have been sitting around for maybe a month or so, in the hot weather in full armour. Our supplies where running low and we ourselves where almost forced to pack up and leave for our expected supply train from the west had not arrived, but then conwy surrendered, and that day our supply train arrived. I deemed our men could use a bit of celebrating to lift their morale, for we have plenty of provisions to spare. The captives where mainly farmers pressed into England’s service, and I released them on condition they do not bear arms against us again.
"But the plan was that once Conwy had fallen, you where to take your army south to meet The English Under Gloucester" Aeron retorted
"There has been a change of plan. I have decided to wait a full five days to let my men rejuvenate, and also to gather more men. A full 500 eager Welshmen have come from the surroundings, bringing my army to 3500 men. Gloucester is still nowhere near Gwynned, and now my force has the chance to defeat him."

Aeron snorted. He was now about to give the news he had ridden so far to tell.
"I suppose I should be glad to still find you here, in fact, that was my hope, for last on Tuesday, 4 days ago, Davyd was defeated on the outskirts of Chester. Our army was scattered and destroyed."
Ieuan stood rooted to the spot.
"Oh woe is me! We cannot fight this war upon two flanks! How many survived?"
"Well... Davyd retreated into the hills and when we regrouped, maybe 300 of the 2000 men had returned. That is when I left for conwy."
Ieuan began to pace along the battlements.
"I shall have to split my army, send half of it to Davyd, and march south to face Gloucester"
"But...you will be defeated!"
"We have no other choice!"
The two where silent for a moment. And the laughing and music from bellow was completely blocked out their minds.
"Gloucester comes from the south with maybe five thousand men.... who comes from the east Aeron? And what are their numbers?"
"3000 men march from the east.... But... But Ieuan there is more I must tell you. Gloucester Marches from the east!"
"What!" Ieuan said surprised.
"Yes! He rode north to take command of the forces at Cheshire"
"Then who commands the south? Aeron???"
Aeron was silent, his face had gone white.

"He has left France Ieuan! He is here! King Henry V!!!!"

dent bee selly! eye cin speal perfektly

Chapter V: The Council of War

The incesent noise from the courtyard was blocked out when the last two commanders, Seren and Mair, came stumbling into the great hall, and the gaurds (maybe the only sobber ones in the castle) closed the doors behind them. Laughing rauciously, they spoke aloud in slurs.

"AHHH Ieu..Ieuaaa...Ieuan!! ahaha *hic* whats all this about then eh? why have you dragged us from... frommmmmm ahaha, the party!!!" Mair said, flailing his arms about and spitting everywhere.
"We are mighty upset arnt we Seren! Seren?"
Seren was simply shaking and gigling insanely.
"Ahh...strange fellow! now *hic* whaaaaaaaa... what do you want"
Aeron frowned. These dignified nobles, worthy of comanded entire army's where behaving like the common rable. Ieuan found the irony amusing and gave a slight smile.
"My lords, you are clearly not in your right minds at this moment. Servents! take these men to the chambers and have them rest. attend to their every needs.

Several servants apeared from the shadows and quickly escorted the two men out of the hall down a corridoor. As the trail of gigling from Seren died down, General Simon suddenly had an outburts.

"Idiots! who is to keep the men in line if our commanders can not even controll their own minds?"

Nobody responded. At length, Ieuan adressed all his comanders in the room. "Lord Simon, General Neued, Lord Abbot, Aeron I have called the three of you here to this council of war, for i have just received word from Aeron here, that nigh on four days ago, General Davyd was defeated at Chester, his army obliterated"
Cries of "damn", "no" and "impossible" echoed around the room.
"How?" Lord Simon demanded "He had a perfect defensive position in the foothills and forests, only a fool could be driven from such a strategic location, and Davyd is no fool."
"Davyd marched us out of the hills onto the town of chester. We thought our forces where larger, but we did not know of the reinforcements they had received. We met them upon the feild infront of the town walls At first the battle went well, our bowmen inflicting great damage upon them, and our infantry cutting through their ranks, but then, the cavalry they had hidden came upon our left flank. our forces where split, and scattered as we routed of the feild."
General Neued looked thoughtfull.
"What of Davyd, boy? did he survive?"
Aeron flinched, he reseneted being called "boy", but made no protest to it.
"He survived. I was with him as he rallied what was left of our army and fled into the woods and back towards the fastness of the hills. Gloucester pursued us for a short while, but then returned to Chester."
"Gloucester!" Simon said with astonishment, and looks of Equal surprise came across the faces of Neued and Abott.
"Yes, Gloucester, he has ridden north to take command of the Cheshire forces"
"Then what of the army advancing from the south? Who leads there?" Simon asked.
Ieuan answered that one.
"The King, King Henry"
Shocked silence travelled through the room
The look on Simon's face was one of horror.
"By God! King Henry!!! thats it... its over we cannot hope to defeat such a brilliant military mastermind. We all know of his performance at Agincourt!"
"This is not some jest is it? If so it is in very bad taste" Neued said angrily.
"No, i am dead serious. The King has left France to deal with our rebellion. He is with the army marching north as we speak. He has 4000 highly trained english soldiers, and another 1000 Welshmen.
"How do you know this?" Simon asked curiosly. Ieuan did not have the answer for that question, but Aeron did.
"After the battle at Chester, we captured an English scout near our camp. He broke almost imediatly, and told us everything we wanted to know. We learned that had been the one who defeated us. He did not fly his banner on the feild, for we where meant to think he was in the south, for the Kings coming was supposed to be a secret, to catch us by surprise."

Nobody said anything for a long while. A few minutes ago, they where the celbrating the succes of their rebellion, and all concerns had floated away. Now, defeat and death seemed all too likely.
"What shall we do?" Neud said at last. Ieuan sighed and spoke
"I will split our force in two, send half to Davyd, and half south to meet Henry. Gloucester will not be able to drive Davyd from that position if they have enough men to defend.
"And then what! the other half marches strait into death at the hands of Henry! We cannot hope to defeat him with so small a force"
"He has nver fought a campaign on such mountanous terrain, we can use that to our advantage, maybe ambush him." Ieuan replied.
"But still! 1750 Welsh PEASANTS against twice that number of professional english soldiers."
"We still have a chance!"
Simon flared up
"Not with Henry coamnding them, and some... some child comanding our forces!"

Ieuan tensed. Nobody called him that. Nobody! Everone in the room was waiting for his reaction, but suddenly Lord Abott, who had not said a word the whole time, spoke out.
"What of the Powys?" he asked suddenly.
"What Ieuan said, his planned verbal assault upon Simon broken off.
"General Owain, he is in the Powys with 1500 men, can we not call him back to us?"
Ieuan frowned. "We have had no word from Owain in two months. The Powys is very unstable. we do not know what has befallen his forces"
"Messengers could be sent out, to tell him to hurry to a rendouvez point, where you shall meet up with him." Abott replied. Ieuan stood still, thinking, and all awaited his descision.


"Send the messengers! we shall meet him in southern wales! break up the praty, half my forces go to Davyd, and the other hald march south! We leave as soom as we are ready!"

I have just restarted work on my other AAR, The Legacy of Rome, so things here might go a bit slower, but heres an update for now.

By the Way, all of this stuff, castle seiges and stuff, is a writers artistic liecense. Wales in the game is only a 1 province minor, so this stuff is really just to set it up. I did however, fight Henry V in 1421 or something, and i thought i would elaborate on that.


Chapter VI: The Eve of Battle.

It took three days to fully prepare Ieuan's army for the march ahead. Once they had sobered up, they where organized in their armour and where ready to march. Ieuan chose to wait another day for more of the locals to come to him. perhaps 300 more turned up, and those he chose to garrison Conwy with. The Messengers where sent out to Owain, and he was to meet them in a valley in southern Wales. He split his forces in half, and Sent Simon and Nued to Davyd with 1500 men, and he marched south with Abott and Aeron with 2000 men. With him he had 300 mounted untis, 50 mounted knights, 1250 foot soldiers made up of mercenairys and peasents and 400 of the famouse Welsh longbowmen. They set out on the 24th of May.

As Conwy disapeared out of sight, clouds began to gather infront of them. As they continued to march higher and higher into and over the hills the weather grew cooler, and the blue summers sky was blocked out by gathering clouds. They marched for 10 days into southern Gwynned and crossed over into the province of Dehuebrath on the 4th of June. The Weather was unuasually cold for summer, even for a Welsh one.

Ieuan sent out scouts into the surrounding valleys that night, and they had reported that Henry's army was camped on a plateau less then five miles over the jagered landscape. Henry's army had grown to 6000 men, The Scouts reporting he had 300 mounted knights, 200 horsemen, 3500 Professional English foot soldiers, and another two thousand Welsh Loyalists and conscripts. Ieuans hopes of ambushing them while they where encamped was dashed, for the where on higher ground then his own forces, and their gaurd was considerably vigilant and strong.

Owain, if he had received his summons, was supposed to meet him near somewhere in the mountain pass, But his scouts could nor find his army anywhere in the vicinity.

He Held another Council with his sub commanders. It was decided that he best chance of victory was an Ambush. They where camped at the top of a wide valley, with mountains on either side. At each end the ground rose up and and then fell again into another grassy plain. Across the mountains spread thick forests, thick enough for a force to hide in. They Would try to Lure Henry into down into the base of the Valley, and Ieuan would send his hidden forces down upon both of his flanks. But for the plan to work, he would need bait...



The planned site of attack

Half of Ieuan's foot soldiers would hide it the woods, and the other half would lead them into the trap. It was hope that the English had not yet discovred their position, and so could not know how many men they had.

Ieuan was to Command the central forces, Aeron and other commanders in the left woods, and Abott in the right woods.

That night, as the camp slept into the night, Iuean was still awake. As he leaned against a tree, he stared up at the heavens. Ieuan was not a pious man, but he knew god would be on his side, he knew his cause was just. As He sat there thinking, Aeron aproached him.

"Do you think we can win tomorrow?" He asked him. Ieuan whirled around startled, but then relaxed.
"I...I think we can, but we will be hard put to it" He said.
"Henry may be a great battle commander, but remember this, he has never fought a battle on Welsh soil, on such rugged terrain" Aeron said, trying to encourage him. The last thing an army needed was a fearful general.
"Aeron...What do you make of those clouds over there?" he said, noding his head to wards a patch of very dark clouds on the Horizon, travelling fast towards them.
"Hmm... i do not like the look of them, i think we have a storm coming in" he answered.
"No... they are not storm clouds...they are snow clouds... I Think we have a hard day ahead of us"

Chapter VII: The Battle

Ieuan had predicted correctly, and on the morrow the dark clouds came rolling over the skies bringing with them an icy wind. Fearing that if snow should come his troops would be bogged, Ieuan deployed immediately. Aeron Scaled the left hillside and hid in the woods with 175 cavalry and 300 foot soldier, Abbott went into the right woods with 125 mounted and 500 foot, and Ieuan sat at the bottom of the valley with 50 mounted knights of his personal guard, 325 foot soldiers and the 400 longbowmen. His foot soldiers, many equipped with spear lined up front and the longbowmen formed up behind them. Once Ieuan had formed up, snow began to fall and very soon a thick layer covered the valley.

Ieuan shivered. Still no sign of Henry's army he thought, and then he had the horrible thought that this had all been a trick, that Henry had rounded them and marched north to sack Gwynned while he Ieuan and his army starved to death in the icy mountain passes. But that fear was soon vanquished as the sound of marching began to be heard. Looking up at the white hill in front of him, Ieuan saw that the spears and helmets of the English where appearing. A sea of red spilled over the hilltop and the banners of England, three golden lions against a red background where flying everywhere.
"Good god!" one of Ieuan's sub commanders gasped. He had good reason to do so. This was a professional English army, clad in the finest armour and equipped with the finest weapons. There where welsh loyalists also, but they would not likely be needed.

Ieuan choked back his fear as he saw the great Banner of Henry V emerge on the hill, followed by his cavalry force.
"Ieuan, we cannot hope to win!" his sub commander said fearfully. Ieuan said nothing, for he himself was afraid, but an army with a coward as their leader would have no victory on the field. Gathering his courage he rode to the front lines and drew his sword.

"Men!" He cried aloud "We stand here today far from Hearth and home on this snowy battleground against a far superior force. Many of you are thinking this is hopeless, that we cannot win, but it is not so!" he declared.
"The English armies, they march all across the world conquering, pillaging and murdering, they oppress even their own peoples. They fight for greed, hate and malice here today, but we fight for something more." he cried again
"Today, we not only fight for our lives, not only do we fight for Wales, but for a way of life, for a land of tolerance, equality and freedom, for a land where hate and corruption will rule no more. This was the legacy of our forefathers, and today we stand against the English for all that is good in this land, AND GOD QILLING WE WILL PREVAIL!" he roared, and his men cheered him and cried out in defiance, even as the sound of marching grew louder in their ears.

Henry was riding at the back of his army surveying the Scene. Looking at the pitiful army standing against him, he knew suddenly that something was wrong.
"Ha! Idiots. They marched all this way with such a small force! How could they even hope to win" Henrys Lieutenant scoffed
"No." Henry said curiously "No, I do not think they would hope to win. They would not come all this way with such a small force. Their forces must be split, and are perhaps hiding in the woods on the hillsides, these men here are the bait. I think we may have just walked into a trap,” Henry said very calmly. His Lieutenant looked afraid.
"Hahah do not be afraid,” Henry said sensing the man's fear. "We have uncovered their plan and can use it against them. I want ranks set up on either flank of the main force, use the welsh loyalists, but be subtle and try not to let our enemy know we are onto them. They are about to be aught in their own trap!"
"Aha! Excellent plan my liege."

The English where close now, but they halted just out of firing range. Henry was waiting for Ieuan to make the first move, so he could Asses his tactics and counter them. Ieuan realised this, but there was also an advantage in throwing down the gauntlet.
"Longbows!" he signalled, and the Longbow flags where waved. "Foot soldiers part!" he commanded, and the infantry parted as the archers walked between them and formed ranks in front.
"Take aim!" he ordered, and the bows stretched down the line.
"FIRE!"
The bows twanged as they let loose their volley. Even though the weather was poor, the arrows still soared high into the air, and then fell down upon their targets. They struck shields and men alike.
"FIRE!" Ieuan ordered again, and another volley was loosed, unleashing more destruction on the English ranks. Henry promptly ordered his archers forward, but they had to march further across the field, for their range was inferior to the welsh longbow. Eventually they fired off a volley, and they hit the Welshmen sending many screaming to the ground. The Welsh longbow where more efficient however, and the English where suffering heavy casualties.



"What are you waiting for? Order the charge and their lines will break!" Henry Lieutenant urged him
"Now lets not be rash, that could be just what Ieuan wants. Before I charge I want to know the exact location of the rest of his army" Henry said
"What? Id say what he wants is for us to keep standing there while we loose more and more men under their arrows. Charge now!" his lieutenant urged again. Henry considered for a minute before he gave the order.
"Very well, send in the cavalry for a full attack!"

Back at the Welsh lines, Ieuan suddenly heard horns sound from the English army, and the cavalry began to move forward. This was what he had been waiting for. He quickly seized a flag from a nearby man and waved it high into the air. The English foot soldiers parted ranks and the cavalry went through and began to gallop towards the Welsh.
"RETREAT!" Ieuan cried, and his men turned and began to run back towards the trees behind them.

Far away upon the hillsides, Aeron and Abott saw the flag waving, the signal for their charge. Both commanders hastened their army's down the hillside. They emerged from the tress and from both sides horns where blown sounding the charge.

"There they are! Have those men stand firm!" Henry cried aloud. "We have them...." but he was suddenly interrupted by the sound of horns from his cavalry. They where in retreat he thought, but how?

Ieuan had feigned this retreat. Waiting in the eaves of the forest was a long line of spears, and once safely in the trees, his men had grabbed their spears and made a wall against the cavalry. Completely caught off guard, they charged strait into the spikes, and caught between the trees and the spears, they where quickly defeated, staining the snow red with their blood. Ieuan’s Longbowmen fired out from under the canopies and his foot soldiers cried aloud as they charged back onto the field.

Henry was no longer calm. His flanks where under attack, but holding, but now he was pressed on three sides. "Bah! Send in the infantry, you lead them" he commanded his lieutenant. Henry rode off the fight Aerons forces on the left side.
Horns sounded and flags waved and the English infantry charged. The Welsh cried aloud and charged towards them. Ieuan formed his guard into a wedge formation and galloped in front of his men leading the assault. The two sides clashed and ran deep into each other lines. Men where run through, decapitated and their limbs cut off. Blood splattered across the snow and men fell everywhere. Although they outnumbered and where better equipped then the Welsh, the English where being pushed back. Their heavy armour slowed them down, especially in the snow and the cold froze their joints. The English had been prepared for the attack on their flanks but with the disadvantage of height they where still losing ground. The English army was confused, but that was not enough to rout them. Knowing they where under the command of Henry V was enough to hold them.

Ieuan was a great warrior although he was only sixteen. He rode down any opponent and cut a swath into the English soldiers. While fighting he noticed another knight, probably one of Henrys Lieutenants, fighting on Horseback. At he same time this knight was aware of him and the two faced each other across the fighting. Ieuan charged and the other man followed suite. They approached each other and as they passed, the Englishman swung his sword at Ieuan’s neck. He ducked, and swung his sword across the mans chest as he did. Ieuan turned his horse in time to see the man fall off his horse, dead to the ground. He then continued fighting.
Welsh numbers where dwindling fast, even though they where killing more English then they where losing welsh. Abbots forces broke, and the retreat sounded up the right side of the valley. The English pursued the welsh cutting them down as they ran. Soon after Aerons men broke and fled. Only Ieuan’s forces still stood firm. Ieuan had no reinforcements. He had already ordered his longbowmen into the fray, but that had availed him little. Their only hope was Owain. Even as Ieuan thought it, he caught in the side of his eye, up upon the far hill that Henry had marched down, Owain!
His army of 1500 men was suddenly charging down the hill onto the rear of Henrys army.

"Men, do not lose heart! Owain has come!" Ieuan cried, and those not fighting cheered. Owain crashed upon the unsuspecting back lines of the English army, mowing them down like grass. Seeing these reinforcements, Abbott and Aeron rallied what was left of their forces and charged back down the hill. The English army panicked, and soon they where encircled, and it was over. Many surrendered and where spared, but many also fought to the death. One man in particular would not give in.

How had it come to this, Henry thought. He, the victor of Agincourt defeated by this, this rabble? He was filled with anger as he fought alone surrounded by the Welsh. He struck down anybody who came near him, and most kept their distance. At length, Ieuan arrived on the scene and dismounted. "My Lord!" he addressed Henry "Put that sword away"
"Oh, oh yes? And who is this that gives me advice as though I asked for it?" Henry retorted
"My lord, I am Ieuan, the victor of today’s battle. Come, put your sword away. There is no need for you to die today."
Henry was reluctant, but there was truth in is words. Henry had his whole life ahead of him; it would be a shame to throw it away. He dropped his sword to the ground, and awaited Ieuan’s mercy.
"Come" Ieuan, said to him "We have much to discus"

Hi again. just want to know if people can see my pics properly. Thanx

Chapter VIII: The Dragon And the Lion
The Snow had stopped falling and the sun came out through the clouds. Cheers of Huzah echoed around the Welsh camp as they celebrated their victory. The few English captives where placed under guard, and the most important of them accompanied Ieuan to his tent.


Henry V

Henry Plantagenet had been defeated, and he now found himself at the mercy of his captors. He knew that with the wars in France and the English army in Wales destroyed and his very life in danger, he would have to bow to their demands. Henry followed Ieuan and his commanders Abott, Aeron and general Owain into the command tent. Henry scowled as he entered; he was, for Ieuan's tent was not as extravagant as the King of England's. The floor was a mat rolled over the grass, and it had a table with a few maps and some poorly made chairs, and the Welsh flag, the Red dragon hanging on a pole. How did he ever manage to be beaten by these barbarians he thought with resentment.

As the tent flaps closed behind them, Ieuan turned to speak. He was going to be friendly, even if Henry was his enemy, but Henry was not a bad man, despite the aggressiveness of the English crown. Henry looked slightly alarmed surrounded by so many enemies, and Ieuan saw this.

"Please, you Majesty, you need not fear for your life here. I treat my captives with respect" Ieuan reassured him "but still, you have been defeated, and if you know what is in your best interests, you will agree to our every demands" He also made clear to him. Henry gave a bitter smile and said "Of course!"
"First and foremost, The English garrisons in Wales must withdraw beyond he river Severun. Wales is to be recognized as independent from England in all respects, not as a vassal, nor a dominion. All of North Wales from the sea to the Borders of Chester, and all of Southern Wales from to the Severun will become part of the Princedom of Wales, including the Earldom of Pembroke and the city of Cardiff" Ieuan said bluntly. "At these last remarks, Henry made a sound of protest, for even under Llewellyn the Great, Pembroke and Cardiff had been under English control. On top of that, the flatland between the mountains and the Severun where English lands, and although now considered part of the Welsh province, they had never been part of the Welsh Princedom. Ieuan dared even to take land from England itself. Henry was outraged, but did not say anything, and Ieuan continued.
"I will also have your word sworn upon the Holy See itself that England will not meddle in Welsh affairs for as long as you shall live"


Proposed Welsh-English border

"Ah yes!" Henry said rather stunned, and furious, with the Welsh for beating him, and himself for losing the battle. "And who shall be your leader then? Who shall be the 'grand' prince of all Wales?" Henry said, nobody answered, but all looked at Ieuan. Ieuan was not arrogant, but he knew his heritage, knew his right to the title Prince of Wales, and he would not let anybody usurp that right from him. "I, Ieuan ap Iorwath, Last living descendent of Llewellyn ap Gruffyd shall take the throne of Wales. The blood of the Prince of Wales runs through my veins, and never again will an English King rule our land over its rightful heir!" It is told that Ieuan said this in such a way that Henry V, the great warrior King of England shrank back in fear of this 16 year old boy.

Henry did not want to accept, but he knew he had to, however this was not going to be the end of England in Wales he thought. Once the crown of France had been secured for him, Henry could return to Wales with the full might of the English army and navy, smashing Welsh resistance once and for all, but for now he would have to let Wales go.
"I suppose I have little choice but to accept, however I am not the only one who shall have to. The Earls and lords of Wales plus the Marcher lords shall have to relinquish their claims" Henry explained to him. Ieuan looked Henry straight in the eye and warned him without any hollowness in his voice "For your sake my lord... you had better hope so"

Chapter IX: The treaty


Ieuan, Abott, Aeron and Owain entered Cardiff under a blue sky on the hot day of the 22nd of June. They entered at the head of their army of 1500 Welshmen and their English Prisoners, including the English King. The city had been left relatively undefended, and the hopelessly small town guard surrendered without a fight. The Welsh in Cardiff had known of the rebellion and it had been voicing its support for its kinsmen in the North, and now that the rebellion had captured the largest city in Wales, they swarmed out of their houses in the hundreds to welcome and cheer Ieuan and his army. The people of Cardiff where very hospitable, and they played music and celebrated long into the Night. Henry was not pleased.

Ieuan sent out messengers to the marcher lord manors in the east to Chester in the north and to London with letters from King Henry, ordering a ceasefire, and for all Marcher lords and the Earls of Chester, Gloucester and Pembroke to meet in Cardiff for peace terms. On the 10th of July the Earl of Pembroke, William Hastings, finally arrived, and so all those invited to the peace conference had arrived.

The Conference took place in the large wooden study of the Town hall. On the side of the English were Henry V, the Earls of Gloucester, Pembroke and Chester, a representative from London and the various marcher lords. For the Welsh there was Ieuan, Generals Owain and Abott, Aeron, General Davyd, General Simon, the Mayor of Cardiff Crynweg ap Rodhri, and several Nobles owning lands in Wales given to them by Henry V. There was some confusion before the conference took place. Gloucester had arrived with the impression that the Welsh had been defeated and where here formally surrendering, and he had a nasty shock when he discovered why they where really here.

Around a long dining table the members of the conference sat in silence, eyeing each other off. It was an awkward moment, for Ieuan was not yet present, and they needed him before they could start. Ieuan at last came striding in, and in his hand he held a parchment. He came up to the head of the table and took a seat, sitting opposite Henry at the far end. Without hesitation, Ieuan cleared his voice and began.
"Ahem.... You Majesty King Henry, the Earls of Gloucester, Pembroke and Chester, and other representatives. You all know well why you are here, to discuss the terms of our victory and your defeat" He said. Gloucester who was standing with his arms crossed and glaring at Ieuan with malice made a sort of scoffing sound, as though this boy was in over his depth. He was ignored.
"But let us dispense of the pleasantries, I shall get right to the point. First of All, all English garrisons in towns or castles in Wales must withdraw over the river Severun. The English Crown shall recognize the full independence of Wales, and agree not to meddle in our affairs as long as the King of England lives. All territory of Northern Wales to the borders of Chester shall become Welsh lands, and the old Border down to the Severun shall be renewed." Ieuan looked at here reactions. None where surprised, for these demands where to be expected. Only Henry knew what was about to come. "Furthermore, all of Southern Wales will be ceded to us, including the lands of Pembroke and the city of Cardiff. Where the border in the North reaches the Severun, it will continue around the river to the sea, and all lands west of it shall become part of Wales. At these remarks, all of the English gasped aloud, and Henry slumped into his chair.
"This is an Outrage!" Gloucester exploded. "The land between the Severun and the highlands is crown land!" The Marcher lords where equally distressed and outraged, for most of them had their land within that area.
"This is preposterous! A 16-year-old boy is here taking land from the King of England! I demand that you withdraw these terms" he exclaimed, the colour in his cheeks rising.
"My lord, I don’t think you are in the position to Demand anything" Ieuan retorted, smiling mockingly at him. Ieuan had never liked what he had heard of this Gloucester fellow, and now he could tell him that to his face. William Hasting looked very shaken, for his entire Earldom was to fall within Wales under this treaty, but he had a card up his sleeve.
"Gloucester he is right!" he said to him "We have little choice but to accept" he now turned to Ieuan "But tell me sir, Many of us here have titles, and lands in these areas. How will our ownership of them alter under Welsh leadership?" He questioned. He was trying to retain his Earldom by clever diplomacy.
"All marcher lords in Welsh lands will have their possessions confiscated. I am afraid also that you are to lose your title" He replied, and Williams plan deflated before his eyes. There where more outraged cries from the marcher lords, and this time Henry joined in the protest, for he had not expected this.
"Now hold on one moment Ieuan! That was not part of the terms you presented to me before!" Henry said to him.
"I had not fully thought of the terms by then" Ieuan said back to him. Ieuan's own generals where also shocked by what he had proposed, and Simon abruptly butted in.
"Ahem! Ieuan, this is a bit rash. You are speaking of overthrowing centuries long titles and lands. It will cause much instability if we do proceed with this!" he advised
"Yes! I agree!" Gloucester shouted from the other end of the table. "I stand to lose half my lands under this treaty! I say you and your filthy Welsh comrades should crawl back down the shithole that you came from
Before we march our armies in and mount this insolent boys head on a pike!"
"GLOUCESER!" Henry said warningly "Enough!" Gloucester in his anger was about to retort at Henry, but thought better of it, and was silent.
"Ieuan" Henry said to him "The Marcher lords here are powerful people. They have great influence" Marcher lords around the room nodded in agreement. "All other terms I shall agree to, and I am sure that my fellow Englishmen here will do also." he said giving looks to his comrades, as if to say 'or else!'
Ieuan considered for a moment. He did not really expect this to go through, but he would try anyhow. The marcher lords where a constant nuisance to the Wales of old, and it seemed they would continue to be for the New one.
"Very well! But also, there is one more thing. Henry! Your son, Henry, shall have the title Prince of Wales taken from him, and you shall formally recognize me as the Prince of Wales!"

All in the room signed the parchment stating the treaty at last. Wales became independent, with all the lands demanded ceded to it. Henry agreed that England would not invade for as long as he lived, Trade was opened, and Henry as Prince of Wales recognized Ieuan. The Marcher lords and the Earl of Pembroke kept their titles and lands, but where redirected under Welsh supervision. William was thankful to Ieuan, and being half Welsh, he promised he would continue to do well for Pembroke. The earl of Chester was rather unaffected, for he had lost no lands in the treaty, and signed without hesitation. Gloucester took more convincing. After much shouting and arguing, Henry finally had him accept. Wales was independent at last. Henry was free to return to England, but not before Gloucester had more words with him.

Outside the town hall, the independence of Wales was proclaimed, and people in the streets cheered and sung out for joy. Henry was about to mount his horse and ride off with the town guard, when Gloucester approached him.

"Henry!" he said "That young fool in there has let you go! Aha!" he said, sounding almost pleased. "Once we return to England we can reform our armies and take back Wales from this upstart brat!"
"No Gloucester" Henry said shortly to him.
"What?"
"I will not invade!"
"Why the Devil not?"
"Because..." Henry lowered his voice "Because I have more important matters at hand. We have the French on the run in France, and their King Charles is insane and thinks he is made of Glass" He looked around again, to make sure no one was listening, and lowered his voice further
"Listen! I expect the French to submit to us soon, and when they do, I will be in line to inherit the throne of France. Once I do, we can deal with this Welsh problem,” He explained to Gloucester.
"But why not now! Send forces from York or Lincoln!" Gloucester objected
"I gave my word I would not invade, I intend to break it, but not yet anyhow. I do not want to break it, but I must. I will however keep my word for a reasonable period of time.... But after that...I shall return"
Henry mounted his horse, said farewell and rode off with his guard. For one thing, he was dreading the reaction of Parliament when he returned to London.