Invasion of Somerset

The Invasion of Somerset was a conflict that occurred in 482 between King Cadwy of Somerset and several lords from Logres.
Though a separate kingdom from Logres, the king of Somerset held lands in Salisbury including Westfort, Wheelwell, Milkfield and Mere for centuries. Under the reign of the new king of Logres King Uther Pendragon, King Cadwy of Somerset refused to supply silver from Somerset's vast mines. Despite Merlin the Magician's warnings against doing battle with the "Magician King", King Uther declared war, and Earl Roderick of Salisbury used this opportunity to reclaim his disputed lands.
King Uther's army mustered at Sarum Castle and began their march. Earl Roderick of Salisbury took back Westfort and Wheelwell, while Baron Dryw of Sparrowhawk Castle in the nearby county of Marlboro reclaimed Milkfield in Earl Roderick's name, and Duke Edaris of the Marche seized him Mere. Meanwhile, Duke Gorlois of Cornwall and the earls of Jagent and Ascalon sieged castles in Somerset after being blocked by Somerset knights from reaching the muster point.
Upon reaching Somerset, the Magician King's army retreated into the marshes without defending their kingdom. King Uther's army found many of the silver mines long-abandoned and boarded up. When making camp for the night, the Logrian knights found themselves very ill and plagued with nightmares. The following morning, with his King's Guard ill, King Uther and a small guard of volunteer knights rode to the Castle by the Great Bridge to parley with the Magician King.
The Somerset army, led by Prince Melwas of Somerset, let King Uther through without a fight and the guards were all dismissed. It is unknown what was discussed, but despite an agreement to provide silver all trade and land agreements remained the same. Nonetheless, the invasion was declared a great victory for Logres and Somerset was incorporated into the kingdom as a new county.

The Conflict

Battlefield

Somerset

Conflict Type

Siege

Battlefield Type

Land

Start Date

482

Ending Date

482

Belligerents

Somerset

Led by

• The Magician King of Somerset

Logres

Led by

• King Uther Pendragon

Strength

Roughly 3,000

Roughly 2,500

Casualties

Objectives

Defend Somerset

Invade Somerset and reclaim lands in Salisbury