Rhyd y Milwr - Battle Site
Many historians have referred to a battle site at Rhyd y Milwr, situated between Trefil and Pont Llechryd (Rhymney Bridge) and on many old maps of the area this location was often annotated: 'Supposed Site of Battle'
Although written historical records are lacking, it is generally accepted that such a battle between Welsh forces and invading Normans did take place in this locality and many local place-names would suggest confirmation:-
Rhyd y Milwr - Warriors' Ford - supposedly where Norman soldiers crossed the mountain stream.
Maes y Beddau - Field of Graves
Purgad - Pure to Arms
In 1866, Merthyr historian Charles Wilkins quoted an earlier reference by Caradoc:
"Soon afterwards another battle was fought between the Welsh and the Normans who had received a reinforcement of English.
The Welsh had fled to the mountains of Breconshire where they halted and became the assailants in turn and there they routed their opponents, leaving but few to escape."
In his book "The Early Days of Sirhowy and Tredegar", Oliver Jones speculates that this was the event which founded one of the theories regarding the origin of the Sirhowy name. See: Sirhowy - Wild Water?
