©Keith Underwood 2004

July 11, 12 and 13

Our spectacular son et lumiere last year told the story of Usk and its Castle from the arrival of the Romans through to the accession to the English throne of Henry Tudor.

The 'Battle' commemorated the Battle of Pwll Melyn, or the Battle of the Yellow Pool, in 1405. The actual month is uncertain. Many experts think it took place in May, though local historians feel March is the likelier month, in as much as the troops would probably have congregated on Usk following the Battle of Grosmont on March 11, a battle which was as disastrous for Owain's forces as the Battle of Usk turned out to be.

Owain Glyndwr's troops attacked Usk Castle, to try to wrest it from its English defenders and so control a vital border area.

The young Harry of Monmouth, soon to be crowned as Henry V, had inflicted a series of crushing defeats on Owain Glyndwr. With a ruthless efficiency, the English army amassed around Usk in March/May 1405 to deal the final blow to Welsh hopes of freedom. Determined to seize the day, Glyndwr's son - Gruffydd - led an assault on Usk castle. The assault was doomed and easily repulsed by the English, who then pursued the fleeing Welsh army towards Mynydd Pwll Melyn - the 'Hill of the Yellow Pool'. The Welsh regrouped, trying to fight off the English advance, but they were routed in a terrible battle and then chased through the forest of Monkswood. 1,500 Welsh rebels were killed that day on the battlefield. One corpse in particular excited the English - they thought that they had found a slain Owain Glyndwr. But it was Twdur, Owain's brother, who had been killed. Owain also lost his son, Gruffydd, who was captured by the English and died held in the Tower.

The 'Banquet' referred to the feast which Elizabeth de Burgh served to her guests on Christmas Day 1326.

The show celebrated all the strong women who ruled Usk Castle in the Middle Ages, and came to a spectacular conclusion with the accession of Henry Tudor in August 1485.

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Last updated

June 17, 2006