BattlefieldsBattle of Bryn Glas — Defection of Welsh Archers
Medieval

Battle of Bryn Glas — Defection of Welsh Archers

1402
Radnorshire, Wales
Also known as: Pilleth 1402 — Welsh archers switch sides · Bryn Glas Archer Defection
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Radnorshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Sir Edmund Mortimer)
Forces
English c.1,000–1,500; decisive Welsh archer defection mid-battle at Bryn Glas.
VS
Victor
Wales (Owain Glyndŵr)
Forces
Welsh c.2,000–3,000
Outcome
Catastrophic English defeat; Mortimer captured; Welsh archers defect mid-battle
The Battle

History & Significance

At Bryn Glas (Pilleth) on 22 June 1402, Edmund Mortimer's Welsh archers — fighting for the English — switched sides mid-battle and fired on their own side. This treason within English forces transformed a difficult fight into a rout. Mortimer himself was captured and up to 1,500 English dead were left on the field. Women allegedly mutilated English corpses — news that horrified England. Shakespeare opens Henry IV Part 1 with news of this defeat. Mortimer later married Glyndŵr's daughter and became his ally. The battle stands as the high-water mark of the rebellion's first phase.

Casualties & Losses

c.1,000–1,500 English killed; Mortimer captured

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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