The hill country between the Wye and the Teme, where William de Braose (Painscastle, Radnor, Builth) and Roger Mortimer (Cymaron, Wigmore) have pushed into the old Welsh lordships of Elfael and Maelienydd since 1195, and the dispossessed native lords, with Gwenwynwyn of Powys behind them in 1198, raid back.
The Lord Rhys burned Radnor and beat Mortimer and Say there in 1196; Gwenwynwyn's siege of Painscastle ended in his rout on 13 August 1198. No campaign is recorded for the winter of 1199-1200, but neither side can farm the uplands in safety.
How things stand that morning
A raiding belt; Braose and Mortimer hold the castles.
Who raids here
The houses of Einion Clud (Elfael) and Cadwallon ap Madog (Maelienydd), with Gwenwynwyn's men in 1198; against them Braose's and Mortimer's garrisons.
Anchors on each side
English: Painscastle, New Radnor, Builth, Cymaron, Wigmore, Kington. Welsh: the hill country of Elfael Uwch Mynydd and Maelienydd, Rhayader (holder not pinned).
Last campaign
August 1198 (Painscastle).
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The 1195-98 campaigns are well recorded; raiding in winter 1199-1200 is inferred, not recorded.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.