Tripartite Indenture facts for kids
The Tripartite Indenture was a secret agreement made in February 1405. It was a plan to divide England and Wales among three powerful leaders: Owain Glyndŵr, Edmund Mortimer, and Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland. Their goal was to take power from the reigning king, Henry IV.
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What Was the Tripartite Indenture?
This agreement was a big deal in English and Welsh history. It showed how much the three leaders wanted to change who ruled the land. They decided to split England and Wales into three parts, with each leader getting a share.
Who Were the Main People Involved?
- Owain Glyndŵr: He was a Welsh prince and leader of a major rebellion against English rule. He wanted Wales to be an independent country.
- Edmund Mortimer: He was an English nobleman who had joined forces with Owain Glyndŵr. He had a claim to the English throne himself.
- Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland: He was a powerful English earl who had also rebelled against King Henry IV.
How Was the Land Divided?
The agreement laid out exactly which parts of England and Wales each person would get:
- Owain Glyndŵr was to receive all of Wales. He would also get a large part of western England, including areas near the Welsh border.
- Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland was to get the northern parts of England. This included important counties like Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Warwickshire, and Leicestershire.
- The Mortimer family was to receive the rest of southern England.
Where Were the New Borders?
The agreement described Glyndŵr's new borders very clearly. It said Wales would be separated from England by these lines:
- Starting from the Severn estuary, the border would follow the River Severn up to the northern gate of the city of Worcester.
- From Worcester, it would go straight to some ash trees called Onennau Meigion in Welsh. These trees grew on the main road between Bridgnorth and Kinver.
- Then, the border would follow an old road to where the River Trent starts.
- Finally, it would go to where the River Mersey starts and follow that river all the way to the sea.
The three parts of the divided land were supposed to meet at Onennau Meigion. This spot, meaning 'The Ashes of Meigion' in Welsh, was between Bridgnorth and Kinver. Today, there's still a village called Six Ashes near the Shropshire and Staffordshire border, which might be close to that historical meeting point.
Why Was This Agreement Important?
The Tripartite Indenture showed the serious threat King Henry IV faced. It was a bold plan by three powerful figures to completely change the map of England and Wales. Although the plan never fully happened, it highlights a time of great conflict and rebellion in the early 15th century.
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