BattlefieldsSiege of Harlech Castle 1461–1468
Medieval

Siege of Harlech Castle 1461–1468

1461–1468
Merionethshire, Wales
Also known as: Harlech for Lancaster — longest siege of the Wars of the Roses
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Merionethshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Lancastrians (Dafydd ap Ieuan)
Forces
Lancastrian garrison c.100-150. Longest siege of the Wars of the Roses.
VS
Victor
Yorkists (William Herbert)
Forces
Yorkist besiegers c.1,500-2,000
Outcome
Harlech falls August 1468; garrison of fifty men held out seven years against all England; sparked Men of Harlech
The Battle

History & Significance

Harlech Castle held out for Lancaster for seven years after all of England had submitted to Edward IV — the longest siege of the Wars of the Roses. The tiny garrison of perhaps fifty men under Constable Dafydd ap Ieuan defied multiple English attempts to starve them out. It was one of the last Lancastrian strongholds anywhere. The garrison's defiance inspired the famous Welsh anthem Men of Harlech. When it finally fell, Jasper Tudor escaped to France. Margaret of Anjou's son was in the castle.

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