The History of Aberystwyth Castle – Part 2

By John Jackson

Despite its hostile origins, Aberystwyth rapidly became part of the local community. As early as 1310 over one third of those holding privileged tenure within the town were Welsh. The Castle fell into decline over a century of peace as structural defects mounted and the garrison was cut to just 10 men. The greatest enemy of fourteenth century Aberystwyth made no distinction between Welsh and English – half of the entire population perished during the Black Death.

Sadly the English laws governing Wales did not reflect this harmony, deliberately favouring Englishmen in various ways. The English took sporadic and arbitrary advantage of these privileges, ensuring that racial tensions never died away.

This discontent found expression in the Glyndŵr revolt, which began in 1400. In 1401 Aberystwyth town was burned, but the Castle held out thanks to naval supply lines. However, support for Owain from France led to French ships countering this advantage and the Castle fell in 1404. Owain initially ruled from Machynlleth, but by 1405 he had moved his court to Aberystwyth Castle. It was here he sealed a treaty with envoys of Charles VI of France which survives in Paris.

Unfortunately for Owain French support faded away over the next year and English forces began to erode his gains. In 1407 a force of 2400 men besieged the Castle under military genius Prince Henry (later Henry V). They also brought cannons – the first recorded deployment of these weapons in Britain. Yet Aberystwyth Castle held out thanks to Owain’s leadership, with the famous cannon Messenger exploding due to a misfire and the rest failing to breach the fortress.

Despite this impressive defence the tide of the war did not turn. A second assault in 1408 succeeded in taking the Castle whilst Owain was elsewhere. He held Harlech Castle until 1409 but was afterwards reduced to raiding from the mountains.

Owain probably died in 1415. The next time arms were raised against the English Crown in Aberystwyth, the challenge came from a different quarter entirely.

Next Issue: The Civil War