BattlefieldsCapture of Conwy Castle by the Tudor Brothers
Medieval

Capture of Conwy Castle by the Tudor Brothers

1401
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Also known as: Conwy Castle Seized 1401 · Gwilym and Rhys ap Tudor Easter 1401
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Caernarfonshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
England (Conwy garrison)
Forces
Conwy garrison c.20–40; Good Friday surprise.
VS
Victor
Wales (Gwilym and Rhys ap Tudor)
Forces
Tudor brothers c.30–60
Outcome
Welsh seizure of Conwy; symbolic triumph; held for nearly three months
The Battle

History & Significance

On Good Friday 1401, Gwilym and Rhys ap Tudor — cousins of Owain Glyndŵr, disguised as carpenters — surprised and captured Conwy Castle while most of the garrison was at church. Henry "Hotspur" Percy and then Prince Henry besieged it for months without success. The Tudors finally surrendered in June in exchange for pardons, but nine of their men were betrayed and executed. The seizure of Edward I's most imposing Welsh castle was a sensational propaganda coup for the rebellion.

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