BattlefieldsSiege of Aberystwyth Castle by Prince Henry
Medieval

Siege of Aberystwyth Castle by Prince Henry

1407–1408
Cardiganshire, Wales
Also known as: Prince Henry recaptures Aberystwyth 1407-08 · First use of artillery in Britain (disputed)
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Cardiganshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Wales (Rhys Ddu)
Forces
Welsh garrison c.150–300
VS
Victor
England (Prince Henry / future Henry V)
Forces
English besiegers c.1500–3000
Outcome
English victory; Aberystwyth recaptured; early use of cannon in Britain
The Battle

History & Significance

Prince Henry (the future Henry V) besieged Aberystwyth Castle using cannon — among the earliest recorded use of artillery in Britain. A 4.5-ton cannon called "The Messenger" blew up, killing its gun crew. Despite the initial failure, the siege succeeded after about a year. Welsh commander Rhys Ddu eventually surrendered. The recapture of Aberystwyth, combined with the subsequent fall of Harlech, ended Glyndŵr's control of his capital strongholds.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Cardiganshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Cardiganshire