BattlefieldsEnglish Capture Aberystwyth Back 1408
Medieval

English Capture Aberystwyth Back 1408

1408
Ceredigion, Wales
Also known as: Prince Henry retakes Aberystwyth 1408 · Artillery siege of Aberystwyth
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Ceredigion, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Glyndwr garrison
Forces
Welsh garrison c.100–150
VS
Victor
England (Prince Henry)
Forces
English besiegers c.1500–2500
Outcome
Aberystwyth Castle retaken after artillery bombardment; garrison surrenders; Glyndwr loses his principal western base
The Battle

History & Significance

Prince Henry retook Aberystwyth Castle in 1408 using heavy artillery brought by sea — one of the earliest significant uses of cannon in Wales. The bombardment battered the walls and the garrison surrendered. Glyndwr lost his principal castle on the west coast and his control of Ceredigion began to unravel. The systematic English use of artillery was decisive in recovering the Welsh castles; without it the earthwork sieges of 1407 had failed.

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