BattlefieldsOwain Glyndŵr's Proclamation and Raid on Ruthin
Medieval

Owain Glyndŵr's Proclamation and Raid on Ruthin

1400
Denbighshire, Wales
Also known as: Sack of Ruthin 1400 · First Glyndŵr Rising September 1400
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Denbighshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English (Ruthin garrison)
Forces
Ruthin garrison c.100–200; proclamation & raid.
VS
Victor
Wales (Owain Glyndŵr)
Forces
Glyndŵr c.500–1,500
Outcome
Welsh sack of Ruthin; rising begins; Owain proclaimed Prince of Wales
The Battle

History & Significance

On 16 September 1400, Owain Glyndŵr was proclaimed Prince of Wales by his supporters at Glyndyfrdwy. Two days later, his forces attacked and sacked the town of Ruthin — the stronghold of his enemy Reginald de Grey, whose land dispute had triggered the rebellion. Denbigh, Rhuddlan, Flint, Hawarden and Holt were also attacked. Though a temporary English force under Hugh Burnell dispersed the Welsh at Vyrnwy on 24 September, the rebellion had begun. Owain would not be captured or killed and the rising continued for fifteen years.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Denbighshire

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 Denbighshire