The Battle of Pwll Melyn, 5 May,1405.

The Battle of Pwll Melyn (Yellow Pool in English) was, in retrospect, the turning point for Henry IV. Up to this time, his enemies had largely held the initiative and were a real threat to him. This was to be the last time his forces were engaged in a full-scale battle against them. (1) Owain Glyndŵr‘s… Continue reading The Battle of Pwll Melyn, 5 May,1405.

The Lordship of Powys (Part 2)

Owain de la Pole‘s daughter, Hawise (1290-1349), eventually inherited the Lordship, her brother having died. She was known as Hawise Gadarn, which means in English ‘the Hardy’. Hawise married John Charlton (or Cherleton) a knight from a relatively minor Shropshire family who had acquired the favour of Edward I. In 1313 Edward II sent John… Continue reading The Lordship of Powys (Part 2)

People who escaped from the Tower of London.

This is an attempt to list all the people known to have escaped from the “impregnable” Tower of London. It may be that other names need to be added. The dates given are the dates of escape: Ralph de Flambard, 1101 Roger Mortimer, later Earl of March, 1322. Thomas Berkeley, 1320s. Note not listed in main… Continue reading People who escaped from the Tower of London.

No smoke without …

Today in 1417, Sir John Olcastle was hanged and burned at Smithfield , as a leading Lollard and political rebel who had previously escaped from the Tower. He had been a High Sheriff of Herefordshire, an MP and a soldier under the Prince of Wales in Wales and France, all in Henry IV’s reign. One… Continue reading No smoke without …