Part 2 – The Welsh Escort

This little bard has now completed singing for his master and is free to finalise the sad, sad tale of Cunedda Wledig.

CuneddaWledig leading his men to battle.

With most of his closest supporters dead Cunedda Wledig was only able to lead an army of warriors into battle, most however were mounted and able to attack quickly.

The battle commenced with the Welsh forces rushing forward to threaten and press the Irish heroes.  They advanced on three fronts dividing the wagons and their escorts across the three open pathways across the battlefield.

Undeterred the Irish attacked. The Welsh right was the least defended and a Curadh and Rudraige mac Delacharged towards the Priodaur escorts.  A short and bloody engagement left the Curadh and the bulk of the Priodaur slain. Rudraige mac Dela attacked, and making short work of the rest of the Priodaur, stood face to face with the wagoners. Bravely the wagoners charged but to no avail – the wagon was left in ruins.

The Irish were well on their way to a second victory.

In the centre, still wary from the tales of mysterious ghosts attacking from the forest; both the Welsh mounted and dismounted Priodaur advanced, “supported” to their rear by another wagon and none other CuneddaWledig himself. Charged by the Irish mounted Fianna the Welsh cavalry fled leaving their foot companions outflanked and out-numbered.

The brave but foolish CuneddaWledig advanced to provide assistance but was showered with a storm of javelins from the Irish Bonnachts. When the skies cleared Cunedda Wledig lay dead, a pincushion for Irish javelins. The use of “Eagle Eye”, “Bansidh Whispers”, and “Fir Bolg” in conjunction with each other certainly sealed his fate.

Whilst this was happening, on the left flank, the “Sons of Dana” again attacked from the shadows causing several of the Priodaur guarding the left most wagon to flee. A subsequent charge by the Irish Wolfhounds caused the remainder to flee, leaving the wagon in front of one of the mighty Irish Curadh. A brief charge by the Irish champion saw a second wagon in tatters.

With two of the wagons destroyed, CuneddaWledig slain,and only a few Welsh Priodaur alive; the battle was all but over. For the second time there was much feasting in the halls of Rudraige mac Dela.