Battle of Pwll Melyn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Pwll Melyn
Part of Glyndwr Rising
Castle Oak Pond at Usk, believed to be on the site of the battle
Date 5 May 1405 Location Pwll Melyn, near Usk Result English victory
Belligerents
Principality of Wales	Kingdom of England and Welsh allies
Commanders and leaders
Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr (POW) Tudur ap Gruffudd  †	Richard Grey John Oldcastle Dafydd Gam
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
300-1500	Light

Usk Castle & Town

The Battle of Pwll Melyn (also called the Battle of Usk) was a big fight between Welsh and English forces. It happened on May 5, 1405, near the town of Usk in Wales. This battle was a key part of the Glyndŵr Rising, a major rebellion led by Owain Glyndŵr that lasted from 1400 to 1415.

The Battle of Pwll Melyn was important because it was the first time the English won a major battle against the Welsh rebels during this war. The Welsh suffered many losses, including two important leaders: Owain Glyndŵr's brother and his oldest son. This defeat was a big setback for the Welsh rebellion.

When and Where Did the Battle of Pwll Melyn Happen?

Historians believe the Battle of Pwll Melyn took place in May 1405. It happened after another battle at Grosmont in March of the same year.

The battle's location is just north of Usk Castle. It includes an area near Castle Farm and what is now called Castle Oak Pond. The name "Pwll Melyn" means "Yellow Pool" in Welsh. This name comes from a pond in the area that was known for its muddy, yellowish water. Many years ago, when the pond was cleaned, skeletons were found there, suggesting it was indeed part of the battle site.

What Happened During the Battle?

After losing a battle at Grosmont, the Welsh rebels wanted to get back their strength in the area of North Gwent. They launched a brave attack on Usk Castle, led by Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr, Owain's son.

However, the castle's defenders fought back strongly and stopped the Welsh attack. The Welsh forces had to retreat north. The English soldiers from Usk Castle then chased them. These English forces were led by Richard Grey, 1st Baron Grey of Codnor, Sir John Greyndour, Dafydd Gam, and Sir John Oldcastle.

They chased the Welsh into a forest called Monkswood, towards a place known as Mynydd Pwll Melyn, or the 'Hill of the Yellow Pool'. Here, the English attacked the Welsh rebels again and completely defeated them.

Key Figures in the Battle

One important person in the English victory was Dafydd Gam. He was a Welshman from Brecon who was strongly against the Glyndŵr rebellion. Gam knew the local area very well, and this knowledge was likely very helpful to the English. He might have convinced other local Welsh people to fight against Glyndŵr, or he might have even warned the English about the upcoming attack.

Some historical records suggest that Usk Castle was ready for a fight before the Welsh attacked. It's not clear if this was just a normal safety step or if they had specific information about the Welsh plans. But to win such a big victory against a large attacking force, the English likely had many soldiers. It seems that Gruffudd, Owain's son, did not know how strong the castle's defenses were.

It's also worth noting that just two years earlier, Owain Glyndŵr had burned the town of Usk to the ground. Many people lost their lives and homes. Because of this, the local people might not have supported Owain's cause. The presence of English leaders like Grey and Greyndor, along with locals like Dafydd Gam and John Oldcastle, suggests the English were well-prepared.

Henry of Monmouth, who later became King Henry V, was in charge of the English forces fighting the rebellion at this time. He was based in Hereford, but he doesn't seem to have been at the Battle of Pwll Melyn himself.

How Many People Were Lost?

The west view of Usk Castle

The Welsh side suffered very heavy losses in this battle. Some sources say they lost as many as 1,500 men. This was a huge number, especially since they had already lost many soldiers in the recent battle at Grosmont.

After the battle, about 300 Welsh prisoners were beheaded right in front of Usk Castle. Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr, Owain's son, was captured by the English. Owain's brother, Tudur ap Gruffudd, was killed during the fighting. His face looked so much like Owain's that some English soldiers briefly thought they had killed Owain himself.

Another sad loss for the Welsh was John ap Hywel, the Abbot of the Llantarnam Cistercian monastery. He was a strong supporter of Glyndŵr and was killed while helping the wounded soldiers from both sides during the battle. It's also possible that Rhys Gethin, another Welsh leader, died here, if he didn't die in the earlier Battle of Grosmont.

Why Was This Battle Important?

Bridge and Castle of Usk

The Battle of Pwll Melyn was a turning point. After this defeat, the Welsh rebellion started to lose its strength in southeast Wales. One historical account says that the defeat showed how risky it was for local Welsh groups to act on their own without careful planning. It also highlighted the dangers of Owain's guerrilla warfare tactics when the enemy was ready for them.

The loss of so many good men in this battle weakened the Welsh forces. This meant they couldn't take full advantage of the French troops who arrived later that year to help Glyndŵr.

Just a few months after Pwll Melyn, Owain Glyndŵr faced King Henry IV himself at Abberley Hill in Worcestershire. The two armies faced each other for eight days, but Owain was hesitant to attack. It makes you wonder how differently things might have gone if Owain had won at Usk, and if his brother were still alive and southeast Wales was still under his control.

In 2005, the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Pwll Melyn was remembered with a special light and sound show. In 2007, a plaque was placed near the battle site to honor the event.