When Glyndŵr Took Carmarthen

It was on 6 July in 1403 when Owain Glyndŵr achieved one of the biggest victories of the Glyndŵr Uprising (1400-1415): Carmarthen.

What Happened with Glyndŵr at Carmarthen?

Glyndŵr was no stranger to Carmarthen and the wider Deheubarth area. In fact, his mother, Elen ferch Thomas ap Llywelyn, was a direct descendant of Rhys ap Tewdwr (an ancestor of the Tudor family) and the Kingdom of Deheubarth’s long-time ruling family, the Dinefwr dynasty. Glyndŵr, then, no doubt saw Deheubarth as rightfully his.

This summer swoop on Deheubarth saw Glyndŵr take not just Carmarthen Castle, but also the native Welsh castles of Dryslwyn and Castellnewydd Emlyn. His victories coincided with the temporary collapse of English rule in Cymru – with many men from Henry IV’s side defecting to Glyndŵr and taking up arms to defend his liberative ambitions.

Many historians would point to 1403 as being the greatest year of the Glyndŵr Uprising, even though he would not be proclaimed Tywysog Cymru (Prince of Wales) until 1404.

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