Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn facts for kids
Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn (born around 1362 – died 1440), was a powerful English lord. He owned land near the border of Wales. These border lands were called the "Marches." He became a Baron after his father passed away in 1388. Reginald Grey is best known for his conflicts with Owain Glyndŵr. Glyndŵr led a big rebellion in Wales.
Reginald de Grey was in charge of sharing royal messages in the northern Welsh border area. This included asking local nobles and their men to serve the King in the military. He had a long legal disagreement with Owain Glyndŵr. Grey claimed some of Glyndŵr's land as his own. When King Richard II was in power, the court decided in Glyndŵr's favor. But when Henry IV became king, Grey took over the land anyway.
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The Start of a Big Problem
In 1400, Glyndŵr tried to take legal action again. But the court told him to give the land to Grey. Grey also did something else that made Glyndŵr angry. He waited until the very last moment to tell Glyndŵr that his men were needed for military service in Scotland. This made it impossible for Glyndŵr to send his men. He couldn't even send an explanation for why they weren't coming.
Not following a king's order was a very serious crime. It was called treason. If Glyndŵr didn't send his men, his lands could be taken. He would also need to prove he was loyal to the king or face punishment.
The Welsh Rebellion Begins
On September 16, 1400, Glyndŵr and his brothers fought back. They burned Grey's property. For three days, Glyndŵr's Welsh forces attacked the countryside in Flintshire and Denbighshire. This was the start of a major rebellion. On September 24, Glyndŵr's forces were defeated in a battle at Welshpool.
Lord Grey then asked Glyndŵr to a meeting. But Grey arrived with many soldiers. He tried to capture Glyndŵr. Glyndŵr managed to escape and went into hiding. From that moment, the English saw him as a traitor. King Henry IV took land from Glyndŵr's friends. He gave it to his own half-brother, John Beaufort. By 1402, the rebellion had spread all across Wales.
Captured!
In January 1402, Lord Grey was captured. Glyndŵr's forces caught him in an ambush near Ruthin. Glyndŵr demanded a large sum of money for Grey's release. This money was called a ransom. They asked for 10,000 marks. Lord Grey also had to promise he would not fight against Glyndŵr again.
King Henry IV sent 11 knights to meet with Glyndŵr. They paid the money to release Grey. Lord Grey and his family would have been expected to pay back this large sum of money.
The Grey family later sold the Ruthin Lordship to King Henry VII in 1508. They needed money at that time.
Fighting in France
Reginald Grey was an important person in England. In 1415, King Henry V was away fighting in France. During this time, Grey was part of the Council that governed England. He later fought against the French himself. This was during the Hundred Years' War in 1420 and 1421. He also served as the Governor of Ireland for a time.
Images for kids
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Arms of Grey on a barbed quatrefoil, illumination in the De Grey Hours, probably written for the De Grey family of Ruthyn circa 1390. National Library of Wales
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Reginald Grey Pedigree of Grey of Groby displayed within Bradgate Hall ruins.
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Arms of Hastings, Earls of Pembroke: Hastings quartering Valence
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Arms of Sir John de Grey
