MEYSYDD BRWYDRO HANESYDDOL HISTORIC BATTLEFIELDS IN YNG NGHYMRU The following report, commissioned by Mae’r adroddiad canlynol, a gomisiynwyd the Welsh Battlefields Steering Group and gan Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro Cymru funded by Welsh Government, forms part ac a ariennir gan Lywodraeth Cymru, yn of a phased programme of investigation ffurfio rhan o raglen archwilio fesul cam i undertaken to inform the consideration of daflu goleuni ar yr ystyriaeth o Gofrestr a Register or Inventory of Historic neu Restr o Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol Battlefields in Wales. Work on this began yng Nghymru. Dechreuwyd gweithio ar in December 2007 under the direction of hyn ym mis Rhagfyr 2007 dan the Welsh Government’sHistoric gyfarwyddyd , gwasanaeth Environment Service (Cadw), and followed amgylchedd hanesyddol Llywodraeth the completion of a Royal Commission on Cymru, ac yr oedd yn dilyn cwblhau the Ancient and Historical Monuments of prosiect gan Gomisiwn Brenhinol Wales (RCAHMW) project to determine Henebion Cymru (RCAHMW) i bennu pa which battlefields in Wales might be feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru a allai fod suitable for depiction on Ordnance Survey yn addas i’w nodi ar fapiau’r Arolwg mapping. The Battlefields Steering Group Ordnans. Sefydlwyd y Grŵp Llywio was established, drawing its membership Meysydd Brwydro, yn cynnwys aelodau o from Cadw, RCAHMW and National Cadw, Comisiwn Brenhinol Henebion Museum Wales, and between 2009 and Cymru ac Amgueddfa Genedlaethol 2014 research on 47 battles and sieges Cymru, a rhwng 2009 a 2014 comisiynwyd was commissioned. This principally ymchwil ar 47 o frwydrau a gwarchaeau. comprised documentary and historical Mae hyn yn bennaf yn cynnwys ymchwil research, and in 10 cases both non- ddogfennol a hanesyddol, ac mewn 10 invasive and invasive fieldwork. achos, gwaith maes heb fod yn ymyrryd a As a result of this work The Inventory of gwaith a oedd yn ymyrryd. Historic Battlefields in Wales O ganlyniad i’r gwaith hwn mae Rhestr o (http://battlefields.rcahmw.gov.uk/) is in Feysydd Brwydro Hanesyddol yng development, led by the RCAHMW on Nghymru behalf of Cadw. This will be an online (http://meysyddbrwydro.cbhc.gov.uk/) yn interpretative, educational and research cael ei datblygu, dan arweiniad Comisiwn resource aimed at increasing knowledge Brenhinol Henebion Cymru ar ran Cadw. and raising awareness of battlefields in Bydd yn adnodd deongliadol, addysgol ac Wales, as well as a prompt for further ymchwil ar-lein, yn anelu at gynyddu research. It is due to be launched in gwybodaeth a chodi ymwybyddiaeth o spring 2017. feysydd brwydro yng Nghymru, yn ogystal ag ysgogi ymchwil bellach. Gobeithir ei lansio yn ystod gwanwyn 2017. Mae’r tabl isod yn rhestru’r brwydrau a’r The table below lists the battles and sieges gwarchaeau a ymchwiliwyd. Bydd researched. Reports will be available to adroddiadau ar gael i’w llwytho i lawr o’r download from the online Inventory as Rhestr ar-ein yn ogystal ag o Coflein well as from Coflein (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), y gronfa (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/), the online ddata ar-lein ar gyfer Cofnod Henebion database for the National Monuments Cenedlaethol Cymru (NMRW). Record of Wales (NMRW).

ENW/NAME DYDDIAD SIR NPRN YMCHWIL/RESEARCH /DATE HANESYDDOL/ HISTORIC COUNTY

Aberllech 1096 Sir Frycheiniog 404446 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Pont Cychod (Menai 1282 Ynys Môn 404319 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol ac Ynys Môn) (Chapman, 2013) Anglesey Bridge of Boats Documentary and historical (Menai and Anglesey) research (Chapman, 2013)

Bryn Derwin 1255 Sir Gaernarfon 402322 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Caernarfonshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Bryn Glas (Pillth) 1402 Sir Faesyfed 306352 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Excavation (Archaeology Wales, 2013)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Campston Hill 1404 Sir Fynwy 402328 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Cilgerran 1258 Sir Benfro 405201 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Coed Llathan 1257 Sir Gaerfyrddin 403587 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014) Castell Coety 1404-05 Morgannwg 545701 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) /Coity (Chapman, 2013) (siege) Glamorgan Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Coleshill 1157 Sir y Fflint 402325 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (2009) Documentary and historical research (2009)

Craig y Dorth 1404 Sir Fynwy 402327 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Crug Mawr 1136 Sir Aberteifi 402323 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Cardiganshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Castell Cymaron 1144 Sir Faesyfed 545328 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchaeau) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Cymaron Castle 1179 Radnorshire (sieges) Documentary and historical 1195 research (Gildas Research, 2013)

1215

Cymerau 1257 Sir Gaerfyrddin 404717 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Carmarthenshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014) Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Castell Dinbych 1282 Sir Ddinbych 545687 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1294-5 Sir Ddinbych 545613 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1460 Sir Ddinbych 545718 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1468 Sir Ddinbych 545720 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dinbych 1646 Sir Ddinbych 545789 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae)/ Denbigh (Chapman, 2013) Castle (siege) Denbighshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Dryslwyn 1287 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545605 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Dryslwyn Castle Carmarthenshire (siege) Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Carregwastad - 1797 Sir Benfro 308824 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Abergwaun (Border Archaeology, 2009) (ymosodiad) / Pembrokeshire Carregwastad Point – Documentary and historical Fishguard (invasion) research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Gŵyr/ Gower 1136 Morgannwg 404856 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Glamorgan Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Grosmont 1405 Sir Fynwy 402333 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Hyddgen 1401 Sir Drefaldwyn 402310 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Pont Irfon 1282 Sir Frycheiniog 403411 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol () / Irfon (Chapman, 2013) Bridge / Brecknockshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Cydweli / Kidwelly 1258 Sir Gaerfyrddin 404729 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Castell Talacharn 1189 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545245 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / (Gildas Research, 2013) Laugharne Castle 1215 545341 (sieges) Documentary and historical 1257-8 545436 research (Gildas Research, 2013) 1644 545746

Maes Gwenllian 1136 Sir Gaerfyrddin 402324 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Carmarthenshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Maes Moydog 1295 Sir Drefaldwyn 403416 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Montgomeryshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Trefaldwyn / 1644 Sir Drefaldwyn 405168 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Montgomery (Gildas Research, 2013) Montgomeryshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013

Mynydd Carn 1081 Sir Benfro 300319 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Castell Newydd 1287-8 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545606 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Emlyn (gwarchae) / (Chapman, 2013) Newcastle Emlyn (siege) Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Castell Newydd 1645 Sir Gaerfyrddin 545768 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Emlyn (gwarchae) / (Chapman, 2013) Newcastle Emlyn Carmarthenshire Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Gwrthryfel y 1839 Sir Fynwy 405003 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Siartwyr, Casnewydd (Border Archaeology, 2009) / Newport Chartist Monmouthshire Uprising Documentary and historical research (Border Achaeology, 2009)

Painscastle 1198 Sir Faesyfed 402326 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Radnorshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Cloddfa (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Excavation (Archaeology Wales, 2013)

Pennal 1472/4 Meirionnydd 403495 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Chapman, 2013) Merioneth Documentary and historical research (Chapman, 2013)

Pentraeth 1170 Ynys Môn 404315 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Anglesey Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013) Pwllgwdig 1078 Sir Benfro 405188 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Gildas Research, 2013) Pembrokeshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Pwll Melyn 1405 Sir Fynwy 402320 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Monmouthshire Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2014)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2014)

Castell Rhaglan 1646 Sir Fynwy 545797 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (gwarchae) / Raglan (Gildas Research, 2013) Castle (siege) Monmouthshire Documentary and historical research (Gildas Research, 2013)

Sain Ffagan / St 1648 Morgannwg 307776 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol Fagans (Border Archaeology, 2009) Glamorgan Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2012)

Gwaith ymchwil heb fod yn ymyrryd ac a oedd yn ymyrryd (Archaeoleg Cymru, 2013)

Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2012)

Non-invasive and invasive fieldwork (Archaeology Wales, 2013) Twthill 1461 Sir Gaernarfon 403421 Ymchwil ddogfennol a hanesyddol (Border Archaeology, 2009) Caernarfonshire Documentary and historical research (Border Archaeology, 2009)

Grŵp Llywio Meysydd Brwydro, Hydref 2016 Battlefields Steering Group, October 2016

Welsh Battlefields Historical Study

The Battle of Montgomery 1644 Montgomeryshire Historical Assessment

Gildas Research

Report No: 100/09

The Battle of Montgomery, Montgomery Montgomeryshire NGR: SO 2397

Report on Historical Assessment

Prepared For: Cadw Plas Carew Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed Parc Nantgarw CF15 7QQ

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales Crown Building Plascrug SY23 1NJ by Gildas Research 31 Dinas Terrace Aberystwyth SY23 1BT

November 2013

Contents

Acknowledgements ...... 4 1. Summary...... 5 2. A Narrative of the Action ...... 6 2.1 Prelude ...... 6 2.2 The Battle ...... 7 2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties...... 8 2.3.1 Troops ...... 8 2.3.2 Casualties and Prisoners ...... 9 2.4 Aftermath...... 10 3. Evaluation ...... 10 3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources ...... 10 3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources ...... 13 3.3 Battle Location ...... 14 3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment ...... 14 3.5 An Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle ...... 15 4. Bibliography ...... 16 4.1 Primary Sources ...... 16 4.2 Secondary Sources ...... 16 4.2.1 Unpublished Secondary Sources ...... 17 4.3 Cartographic Evidence ...... 17 4.4 Web Resources ...... 17 5. Map of Site ...... 18

Acknowledgements

This report was commissioned by Cadw and the Royal Commission of Wales, and Gildas Research would like to acknowledge John Berry and Louise Barker for their assistance.

Research was carried out at the National Library of Wales, the Hugh Owen Library, the National Monuments of Wales and the staff of these institutions are thanked for their help.

This report was compiled and written by Scott Lloyd.

1. S ummary

The battle of Montgomery was one of the largest conflicts ever fought on Welsh soil. The parliamentarian troops led by Sir Thomas Myddleton, numbering some 3,000 men, were outnumbered by nearly 5,000 Royalist forces. Despite an initial setback and the death of Sir William Fairfax, the Parliamentarians won the day and captured over 1500 royalist troops. It was an impressive victory for the parliamentarian cause and saw support for the Royalist cause greatly diminish in the border areas, never to fully recover. The battle is mentioned in several contemporary documents and archaeological survey has enabled the main sphere of intense conflict to be securely located. Battle of Montgomery (1644)

2. A Narrative of the Action

2.1 Prelude

North and Mid Wales had been solidly royalist since the start of the Civil war in 1642 and but by the summer of 1644 the parliamentarians, under the command of Sir Thomas Myddleton, began to push west with the capture of on June 22.1 Mytton and Middleton joined forces and made a raid on the gathering Royalist forces at on 4 August. This defeat made the local populace lose confidence in the protection of the Royalist forces. The parliamentarian forces took ‘346 horse, three captains, twelve commanders and officers, forty common soldiers and much riches and treasures.’2 The royalists had 36 barrels of gunpowder and twelve of brimstone shipped from Bristol to South Wales and then moved north towards Chester. Protected only by a single troop of horse the shipment was intercepted on 3 September by James Till, a lieutenant–colonel under the command of Myddleton, near Newtown.3 Having captured the gunpowder shipment, Myddleton had the problem of where to store the valuable prize, with this in mind he headed for nearby .

The following day, Wednesday 4 September, Sir Thomas Myddleton arrived at Montgomery with 800 foot and horse and sent a summons to Edward lord Herbert to yield the Castle of Montgomery in which he resided. His residence was a brick built manor situated inside the castle walls. A parley was convened between Lord Herbert and two of Myddleton’s men, James Till and Samuel More where an agreement was reached were the Parliamentarian forces could have control of the castle and store their gunpowder there. Meanwhile the parliamentarians had proceeded to the earthworks defending the castle with little resistance and had also accessed the ditch that ran under the drawbridge. From this position they could set petards to blow up the gate and drawbridge if needed.4 The agreement reached between Till and Lord Herbert was due to come into force on the morning of Friday 6 September, but the parliamentarian forces were impatient and keen to get their gunpowder safely stowed, so lieutenant-colonel James Till got as far as the Castle gates and demanded a meeting with Lord Herbert.5 With his men in such a dominant position, Till was in a strong position and Lord Herbert had little option but to agree. However, he did insist that his library not be the scene of any violence.6

1 Thomason Tracts [hereafter TT] E53.3, image 4. Two Great Victories (, 1644). Also printed in Phillips, J. R., Memorials of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches, (London, 1874), vol. II, p.173. All references to TT will be by image number, as very few of the pamphlets have page numbers. 2 TT E6.15, images 3 and 4, pages 611–2. Mercurius civicus, intelligencer, or, Truth really imparted from thence to the whole kingdome to prevent misinformation ... (London, 1644). Printed in Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 194. 3 R. N. Dore, ‘Sir Thomas Myddleton’s Attempted Conquest of , 1644–5’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 67 (1961–2), 99. 4 Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents Relating to the Castle and Borough’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 22 (1888), 182. 5 Ibid, 180, for an account of this event from the Parliamentarian point of view and 182 for an account of the same event from the point of view of the Royalists. 6 Ibid, 183. Further details are mentioned in Peter Gaunt, ‘‘One of the Goodliest and Strongest Places that I Ever Looked upon’: Montgomery and the Civil War’, in Diana Dunn (ed.) War and Society in Medieval and Early Modern Britain (Liverpool, 2000), pp. 183–4, quoting from Aberystwyth National Library of Wales, Powis 6

By the morning of 6 September Montgomery castle was in the hands of the parliamentarian forces and their seized gunpowder was stored within its walls. Thomas Myddleton was certain that the royalist forces would come to retake Montgomery as soon as they could and set about gathering provisions for his troops. This was essential as a prolonged siege was likely; however before he could complete this task Sir Michael Ernely came upon him with all of the horse and foot from .7 The 500 foot of Myddleton managed to gain the shelter of Montgomery Castle, meanwhile the horse of Thomas Myddleton were pursued towards Oswestry.8 Ernely’s men set about laying siege to the Castle and constructed siegeworks and trenches were dug.9 The royalist forces were added too in the coming days by Lord Byron from Chester and Colonel Wodehouse from Ludlow and in all over four thousand royalist troops came under the control of Lord Byron.10 William Maurice, an antiquary from wrote a brief history of the civil war in Wales and in it notes that the forces of Lord Byron approached Montgomery via and Llanfyllin.11

With his forces in a desperate situation, besieged in Montgomery castle, Thomas Myddleton proceeded to put together a relief force with the help of Sir John Meldrum from Liverpool, Sir William Fairfax from Yorkshire and Sir William Brereton, who brought all of the Cheshire foot. Together with Thomas Myddleton’s horse, an army of some 3,000 was put together and set off to relieve Montgomery, arriving there on 17 September.

2.2 The Battle

On the night of the 17 September the Parliamentarian forces approached from the Northwest and came over the County Boundary Bridge, on the road from Chirbury. On seeing their arrival, the Royalist troops moved away from the low ground, up to the summit of ‘the mountain above the castle.’12 This is almost certainly the hill crowned with the Iron Age hill fort of Ffridd Faldwyn, 500m to the west of the castle. The following morning the parliamentarian forces, numbering 3,000 in total, sent about a third of their horse out to forage for supplies; on seeing this, the Royalist troops, between 4–5,000 in number, marched down from the hill of Ffridd Faldwyn and charged upon their opponents. The parliamentarian horse was routed and Sir William Fairfax was mortally wounded, the main reason for their defeat being that they had fired their musket from too far away to have much effect on the approaching Royalist troops.13 The ensuing fighting was at close quarters with the foot fighting with pikes and musket and the superior number of royalists appeared to have the upper hand. Their aim was to secure the bridge over which Parliamentarian forces had crossed the night before and thereby cut off the line of retreat. This strategic bridge, in the vicinity of the modern structure known today as the County Boundary Bridge, was the primary focus of the fighting.

Castle Collection, Edward Herbert, 1st Baronet of Chirbury, box 5, vol. 9, ff. 1–3. The agreement is also noted in the Journal of the House of Lords Vol 6, p. 713. 7 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 208. 8 TT E10.4, image 4, page 4. Letters from Sir William Brereton, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Meldrum of the great victory, by God's providence, given them in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle (London, 1644). Phillips, vol. II, p. 203. 9 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. I, p.249. The digging of trenches has been repeated many times in later works, but no primary source is ever quoted. 10 TT E10.4, image 3, page 2. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 202. 11 Anon., ‘An Account of the Civil War in North Wales’ Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1 (1846), 38. 12 TT E10.4, image 4, page 5. Phillips vol. II, Memoirs, p. 203. 13 Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents’, 193. 7

Despite their inferior numbers, the parliamentarian forces rallied again and this time gained the upper hand and routed the royalist forces, which retreated en masse. They were pursued for up to three miles, ‘even in the mountains’,14 and slaughtered. From a potentially losing position, the parliamentarian forces had defeated the superior numbers of the royalist army and quickly went on to break the ten day siege of Montgomery Castle, no doubt the Royalist forces in charge of defending it surrendering at the sight of their comrades hasty retreat. The whole engagement lasted barely an hour.

2.3 Details of Troops and Casualties

The total number of troops on both sides numbered at least 7,000 making the battle one of the largest ever fought on Welsh soil. There are five eyewitness reports written by commanders at the battle. The three most detailed accounts come from the victorious Parliamentarian leaders Myddleton, Meldrum and Brereton. For the defeated royalists, Arthur Trevor supplies the only account of any detail; that by Ernely is very brief and provides little information.

2.3.1 Troops

William Brereton reports the size of the armies as:

The enemy’s army was reported (and I do believe it) no less than 4,000,–the foot being the old Irish, who came out of Ireland with Col. Broughton, Warren, Tillier, and some of Col. Ellis, and some of Col. Sir Michael Woodhouse’s and Sir Michael Ernley’s regiment from Shrewsbury, Chester and Ludlow. Our army consisted of about 1,500 foot, and 1,500 horse.15

Thomas Myddleton reports as follows:

Sir John Meldrum, with Sir William Brereton and Sir William Fairfax, marched with 3,000 horse and foot towards Montgomery.16

Which the enemy perceiving marched down in a body, both horse and foot, being in number about 5,000.17

Sir John Meldrum notes:

I went along with the Yorkshire, , Cheshire, and Staffordshire forces (amounting to 3,000 horse and foot).18

The Royalist Arthur Trevor states that the Royalist troops numbered only 3,500 in total.

Our party consisted of 1,500 horse, and 2,000 foot, being the regiments of Broughton, Tylyer, Warren, Hunke, Ernely, and the .19

14 TT E10.4, image 3, page 2. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 202. 15 TT E10.4, image 5, page 2. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 202. 16 Ibid, image 6, page 4. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 203. 17 Ibid, image 6, page 5. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 204. 18 Ibid, image 7, page 6. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 205. 19 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 209. 8

The only major difference between the accounts is that Myddleton puts the Royalist forces at 5,000, whilst Arthur Trevor puts them at 3,500. Taking into account the victors talking up the size of their enemy and the losers trying to downplay the size of their losses, a compromise figure of some 4,000 Royalist troops would seem appropriate

2.3.2 Casualties and Prisoners

Sir William Brereton reports the following casualties

We routed and put to flight their whole army, pursued for many miles, even in the mountains, and did perform great execution upon them; slew (I do believe) 500, wounded many more, took near 1,500 prisoners, and amongst them Colonel Broughton and Col. Tilsley, who they report to be General-Majors, and Captains more than twenty, and all their carriages, and near 20 barrels of powder, wherewith they were furnished the night before the battle. We took also (as was conceived) near 1,500 or 2,000 arms, most for foot.20

We [parliamentarians] lost not 40 men slain, and I do believe there were not 60 wounded. Our greatest loss was of Sir William Fairfax and Major Fitz Simons, most gallant men.21

Sir Thomas Myddleton reports similar numbers,

We obtained a glorious victory, having taken many officers, 1,400 common soldiers, slain 400, and taken their ammunition, with a great part of their arms and some few horse, the rest all flying away.22

Sir John Meldrum notes the following,

There are found dead upon the place 500, besides many officers of quality killed and wounded, and 1,200 prisoners. Sir William Fairfax and Major Fitz Simons (who carried themselves most bravely) are deadly wounded, without great hope of recovery, with some other captains and officers of our horse.23

From the Royalist Arthur Trevor,

Our party consisted of 1,500 horse, and 2,000 foot, being the regiments of Broughton, Tylyer, Warren, Hunke, Ernely, and the Prince of Wales, and all are taken. There are not 100 foot come off, and all their officers which were not taken before, killed or taken. Col. Broughton was there shot and taken prisoner. But I here Col. Washington is well. What horse was lost in the action were out of my brother’s regiment, and not many; but amongst them his jewel Bay Squire, whose solemn mourner he now is.24

20 TT E10.4, image 3, page 2.Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 202. 21 Ibid. 22 Ibid, image 4, page 5. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 204. 23 Ibid, image 5, page 7. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 205. 24 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 209. 9

A copy of Mercurius Somniosus from 25 September provides a list of forces, killed, wounded or taken prisoner, as well as goods captured25 and a further document entitled ‘A list of the Prisoners taken and slain at the Battle near Montgomery, upon the 18th of September, 1644’ provides the names of some 109 individuals as well as noting 57 corporals and 11 drummers.26 These figures are in broad agreement with each other and confirm the size and ferocity of the conflict. This sort of detail only serves to emphasise the scale of the Royalists defeat.

2.4 Aftermath

The Parliamentarians had a problem with the sheer number of prisoners they had taken and William Brereton noted,

We know not how to dispose of these common prisoners, unless it would please you to order some of them that will take the Covenant to be shipped (If God give us Liverpool) and transported over into Ireland to serve you there.27

The armour of the dead and prisoners was gathered up and no doubt reused, however a vast collection of the smaller parts, difficult to reuse, were dumped in the Inner Ward of the castle and were discovered during excavations in 1967–8.

With Montgomery now secure Thomas Myddleton moved on to at Welshpool which he captured on 2 October. Further success for parliamentarian forces at Abbey Cwm- hir in December and at and , caused many of the Welsh gentry of the area to switch allegiance to the parliamentarian cause. Gaunt notes that,

By the end of the year, Myddleton had established a modest parliamentarian enclave in this part of eastern mid-Wales, centred on the of Montgomery and Powis, strengthened by a handful of other outposts and supported by some local gentry, who had abandoned their former royalist allegiances.28

3. Evaluation

3.1 Discussion of Primary Sources

Documents concerning the taking of the Castle are preserved within the collections of Lord Herbert, whose papers reside at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.29 They consist of a series of letters, at least one in the autograph of Lord Herbert and are excellent source material.

The important collection of Civil War era pamphlets and newspapers known as the Thomason Tracts are preserved in the British Library and are all now available online via the Early English Books Online website. The letters of the commanders of forces on both sides would appear in print on a weekly basis, making them excellent eyewitness accounts and sources of

25 TT E10.9, image 5. Mercurius Somniosus (London, 1644). 26 TT E10.4, images 8 and 9, pages 9 and 10. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, pp. 206–7. 27 TT E10.4, image 3, page 3. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 203. 28 Gaunt, ‘Montgomery and the Civil war’, p. 187. 29 W. J. Smith, (ed.) Herbert Correspondence (Cardiff, 1968). 10

information. We are also in the fortunate position of having reports from both sides of the conflict. The four most detailed accounts of the conflict are given below.

From the Royalist perspective Arthur Trevor notes that:

The first charge was made by my brother upon all their horse, who killed Sir William Fairfax at the head of them and put them all in disorder. Broughton and Washington did as well with the foot. Sir William Vaughan was the occasion of fighting the enemy in that place; but as my Lord Byron tells me, contributed not much to the action. All the Lancastrian horse ran without a blow struck, which disheartened the foot so infinitely that, being in disorder with the pursuit of the enemy, they could not be persuaded to rally again; which the rebels did, and advanced and made good the place, relieved the castle, being the work they came for, and took some prisoners.30

Sir John Meldrum from the Parliamentarians describes the events thus

Upon our approach to the castle the enemy did withdraw themselves in some disorder; the next day after, being the 18th of September, they did take advantage of the weakness of our quarters, the third part of our horse being employed abroad for victuals and forage. Their horse and foot came on with great courage, resolving to break through our forces and to make themselves masters of a bridge we had gained the night before, which would have cut off the passage of our retreat. It pleased God to dispose so of the issue of the business that (by the resolution of the officers and soldiers of horse and foot) the enemy did lose the advantage they had in the beginning, and were shamefully routed, by the pursuit of victory, which continued for the space of three miles.31

Sir Thomas Myddleton’s account of the battle,

Sir John Meldrum, with Sir William Brereton and Sir William Fairfax, marched with 3,000 horse and foot towards Montgomery, and came thither on the 17th of this instant September, where we lay that night in the field that was most advantageous for us, which the enemy had possessed themselves of before, and deserted at our coming thither, placing themselves upon the mountain above the castle, a place of great advantage for them. We resolved not to go to them but to endeavour the victualing of the castle, whereupon we sent out parties for the bringing in of provision, which the enemy perceiving they marched down in a body, both horse and foot, being in number about 5,000 and came up to our ground and gave us battle, wherein, after an hour’s fight, it pleased God, we obtained a glorious victory.32

Finally, Sir William Brereton’s account of the day,

We were so very hard taxed by the multitude of our enemies (who did much exceed us in number), as that if the commanders and soldiers had not engaged

30 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, p. 209. 31 TT E10.4, image 5, page 7. Phillips Memoirs, vol. II, p. 205. 32 Ibid, image 4, pages 4 and 5. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, pp. 203–4. 11

and behaved themselves very gallantly, or if we had wanted any part of our forces, it might have hazarded our army, for it was very dubious and uncertain which way the Lord would incline the victory. It came to push of pike, wherein they were much too hard for us, having many more pikes. Our horse also at the beginning of the battle were worsted and retreated, but there was, I do believe, an unanimous resolution, both in horse and foot, to fight it out to the last man. Indeed, there could be no other hope nor expectation of safety or escape, there remaining no way of retreat, all passages being entirely in the enemy’s power (if masters of the field), and truly, if God had not infatuated, they might easily have interrupted our passage, and made good divers passes against us. But our extremity was God’s opportunity to magnify His power, for when it was most dubious, the Lord so guided and encouraged our men, that with a fresh valiant charge we routed and put to retreat and flight their whole army.33

Further details about the battle can be found amongst the many News-letters printed during the civil war, although in relation to Montgomery, much of what they print is taken from the sources given above.34 The additional information and slightly different descriptions of events from three of these sources is given below.

The London Post, number 5 At the first advance unto the enemy they discharged their Muskets at too much distance, by reason of which our first impression failed of the Execution which was expected. On this the enemy with noyse and violence pressed upon us, and fireing close upon our men, they made them with some disorder to retreat.35

The Weekly Account 7/73 They first drew away from the Castle, and left a party of 2,000 men on top of the hill, to face us, thinking we have fallen on our Reare with their mane body and have cut us off; but when we went to charge them (thinking their other forces had been beyond) these forces which were left to face us retreated then their maine body appeared (they having their reserves), we put our sleves in Batlaia and gave fire on them, but our horse not charging home enough, wheeled about, which done, the Enemy put by our Pikes, and the day seemed very doubtfull, the Enemy being incouraged, crying the day is ours, the day is ours. Hereupon Sir Thomas Middleton incouraged the horse, which were presently brought up againe in a body (the Yorkshire horse being commanded by Sir William Fairfax), charged the Enemy with such valour and gallantry that their whole were presently routed.36

The London Post number 7 At last our forces drew near to Biron’s and a forlora were drawn out by both parties, who fought together, and after both the bodies ingaged and fought it out gallantly on both sides, but after a charge of two the Lord Biron and his Forces began to give ground; we follow, they retreat, faster and faster, at last begin quite to turn their backs, now and then shooting at us; we follow then thus about a mile, and at the length we put them to an absolute Rout, slew about 50 in the

33 Ibid, images 2 and 3, pages 1 and 2. Phillips, Memoirs, vol. II, pp. 201–2. 34 Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents’, 192–8. 35 TT E10.5 image 5, page 8. Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents’, 193. 36 Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents’, 194. 12

place, took 4 Captains, 2 Lieutenants, many inferior Officers, and divers Gentlemen, some of them being men of note, and about 100 common soldiers, and so scattered them that scarce two were left together.37

The primary source material for the battle is of a very high quality and from commanders on both sides. The figures of prisoners and troops are sufficiently close to suggest that only minor exaggeration has occurred. Compared to the usual low level of documentary information for battles in Wales, Montgomery is fortunate to be so well represented.

3.2 Discussion of Secondary Sources

Phillips’ two volume Memoirs of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches (1874) was the first work to deal with the history of the civil war for the whole of Wales in detail. The first volume gives a chronological history of events and the second prints the source materials, mostly from the Thomason Tracts collection. The high quality of his research means that the books is still regularly in use today and although superseded in parts is likely to remain so for some time. His discussion of the battle of Montgomery is based upon the original documents and has regularly been repeated or drawn upon ever since.38 All of the source materials concerning the battle published by Phillips were reprinted in the Montgomeryshire Collections volume for 1888, with additions from the civil war newsletters and also the correspondence of Lord Herbert, concerning the taking of the castle. This comprehensive collection is accompanied by a minimal commentary and remains the single best collection of sources available.39

The Herbert Correspondence from the NLW Powis Castle collection, was calendared by W. J. Smith and published in 1968.40 Ronald Hutton’s The Royalist War Effort 1642–1646 provides a good overview of the royalist matters at the time, although his discussion of events at Montgomery is only brief.41 Peter Gaunt gives a brief overview of the battle in his accessible 1991 Cadw publication, A Nation under Siege and discusses it further in a 1997 article published in the journal Cromwelliana. Two short monographs concerning the battle have been published. The first by D. E. Evans is not referenced, making it of limited use42 and the second by Andrew Abram published in 1994 is useful, especially for the named individuals at the battle.43 A further brief discussion of the battle can be found in Norman Tucker’s North Wales and Chester in the Civil War.44

Three detailed articles concerning the archaeology and history of Montgomery Castle, written by Jeremy Knight, were printed in three consecutive volumes of Archaeologia Cambrensis from 1992–4. The first article contains a checklist of documentary sources concerning the castle and includes material relevant to the civil war battle.45 The second article contains

37 Ibid, 198. 38 J. R. Phillips, Memorials of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches, Two Vols.(London, 1874), Vol. I, pp. 248–51. 39 Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents Relating to the Castle and Borough’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 22 (1888), 179–98. 40 W. J. Smith, (ed.) Herbert Correspondence (Cardiff, 1968). 41 Ronald Hutton, The Royalist war effort 1642–1646 (London, 1982), p. 150. 42 D. E. Evans, Montgomery 1644 the story of the castle and Civil War battle (?, 1984). 43 Andrew Abram, The Battle of Montgomery 18th September 1644 ( Battles) (Bristol, 1993). 44 Norman Tucker, North Wales and Chester in the Civil War (Ashbourne, 2003), pp. 38–9. 45 Jeremy Knight, ‘Excavations at Montgomery Castle–Part I: The Documentary evidence, Structures and Excavated features’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 141 (1992), 119–20. 13

references to civil war finds, including, lead musket shot and a detailed description and illustrations of the civil war armour discovered beneath seventeenth century destruction fill in the Inner Ditch of the castle in 1967–8.46 The only published reference to the metal detector survey near the County Boundary Bridge was a short overview of the results in the 1995 volume of Archaeology in Wales,47 the full report written by Walters and Hunnisett remaining unpublished, although it has since been made available online.48

The most recent detailed discussion of the battle is by Gaunt in his article of 2000, where good use is made of the available documentary sources and considers the subsequent state of the town of Montgomery. Unfortunately he seems to have been unaware of the, admittedly unpublished, 1995 report by Walters and Hunnisett which provides reliable evidence for the site of the battle. Without this information Gaunt repeats his earlier suggestion that the location of the main fighting was near the Salt Bridge (SO 277994), to the north of Montgomery. His assumptions are however reasonable, based purely upon the available documentary evidence.49

3.3 Battle Location

The archaeological findings of Walters and Hunnisett show that the arena of battle took place to the northeast of the castle approximately along either side of the B4386 as far as the county Boundary Bridge.50 This is most likely the bridge mentioned in the source material that the Royalist forces were so keen to gain control of as it would have cut off the Parliamentarian retreat. The bridge is on the border between and Wales. Walters and Hunnisett determined that the frontline of the Parliamentarian forces would have stretched between SO 23509709 and SO 22099818 and the Royalist line between SO 23009659 in the south-east and SO 21889772 in the north-west.51 As the royalists made the initial encounter, the site of the heaviest fighting was to the west of the County Boundary Bridge at the southern flank of the parliamentary army in the area of SO 2397. The attached map suggests the area of the fiercest fighting and also the larger area of potential fighting. No doubt conflict also took place in the castle environs and the reports of the losing troops being pursued by the victors could account for other stray finds.52

3.4 Archaeology and Historic Terrain Assessment

A detailed study of the archaeological finds, primarily musket shot and horse trappings, discovered by a metal detector survey in 1995 near the County Boundary Bridge, is fully recorded in Walters and Hunnisett’s unpublished report. The findings indicate that the site of the heaviest fighting was around the bridge and three different calibres of musket shot are noted. Further metal detector surveys in the adjoining fields, not covered in the 1995 survey,

46 Idem, Excavations at Montgomery Castle Part II The Finds: Metalwork’ Archaeologia Cambrensis, 142 (1993), 209–25. 47 Walters, Mark, ‘The Civil War Battlefield at Montgomery, Powys’ Archaeology in Wales, 35 (1995), 74–5. 48 Walters, M. J. and Hunnisett, K., ‘The Civil War Battlefield at Montgomery, Powys: Archaeological Assessment’, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Report No. 142, (1995). 49 Peter Gaunt, ‘‘One of the Goodliest and Strongest Places that I Ever Looked upon’: Montgomery and the Civil War’, in Dunn, Diana (ed.) War and Society in Medieval and Early Modern Britain (Liverpool, 2000), p. 185. 50 M. J. Walters, and K. Hunnisett, ‘The Civil War Battlefield at Montgomery, Powys: Archaeological Assessment’, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Report No. 142, (1995). 51 Ibid, p. 5–7. 52 Ibid, pp. 15–7. 14

may produce further similar finds. A search of the Portable Antiquities Scheme database shows further finds of civil War musket shot in the vicinity, as well as near the castle, providing further evidence of the conflict.53 The database also notes the discovery of cannonballs in the vicinity, possibly also from the same conflict, and although no reference to cannon fire exists in the sources, it would seem likely that it occurred. Further systematic metal detector survey of the adjoin fields would almost certainly produce further finds and their density may provide a better understanding of the full extent of the area subject to the fiercest fighting.

The site near the County boundary Bridge, suggested above, is marked on the both the First and Second Series six-inch Ordnance Survey maps, but not on subsequent editions. No further details are available on the 1838 tithe map or the Ordnance Survey Drawing from 1816. Archwilio assigns the battle site the PRN 19146 and Coflein the NPRN 405168.

3.5 An Assessment of the Historical Significance of the Battle

With Montgomery now secure, Thomas Myddleton used it as a base to attack Powis Castle at Welshpool which he captured on 2 October. After Montgomery Sir John Meldrum went to oversee the siege at Liverpool and Sir William Brereton returned to Cheshire and the siege of Chester.54 Despite his victory at Montgomery and subsequent position of power in the Mid- Wales border region, further Myddleton campaigns in Mid-Wales were not considered a priority, as unfolding events at Chester dominated parliaments’ aspirations. The battle marks an important turning point in the Parliamentarian cause in North and Mid Wales, which up until this point had been strongly Royalist, and the defeat of the royalist forces was bad for their recruitment of new soldiers in the area.55 The battle at Montgomery was one of the largest ever fought in Wales and a combination of good documentary references and archaeological evidence make it one best attested battles in Wales.

53http://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/broadperiod/POST+MEDIEVAL/countyID/25491/regionID/41424/d istrictID/25491/parishID/8800 [accessed December 15, 2013]. 54 Phillips, Memoirs, vol. I, p.252. 55 Hutton, The Royalist war effort, p. 151. 15

4. Bibliography

4.1 Primary Sources

Anon., ‘Montgomery: Various Documents Relating to the Castle and Borough’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 22 (1888), 179–210.

Journal of the House of Lords, vol. 6 (1767–1830), pp. 713–5.

Phillips, J. R., Memorials of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches, 2 vols (London, 1874).

Smith, W. J. (ed.) Herbert Correspondence (Cardiff, 1968).

TT E6.15 Mercurius civicus, Londons intelligencer, or, Truth really imparted from thence to the whole kingdome to prevent misinformation ... (London, 1644).

TT E10.4 Letters from Sir William Brereton, Sir Thomas Middleton, Sir John Meldrum of the great victory, by God's providence, given them in raising the siege from before Mountgomery-castle (London, 1644).

TT E10.5 The London Post Number 5 [6] September 24th 1644 (London, 1644).

TT E10.9 Mercurius Somniosus (London, 1644).

TT E53.3 Two Great Victories (London, 1644).

4.2 Secondary Sources

Abram, A., The Battle of Montgomery, 1644 (Bristol, 1993).

Anon., ‘An Account of the Civil War in North Wales’ Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1 (1846), 33–42.

Dore, R. N., ‘Sir Thomas Myddleton’s Attempted Conquest of Powys, 1644–5’, Montgomeryshire Collections, 57 (1961–2), 91–118.

Evans, D. E., Montgomery, 1644 (np, 1985).

Gaunt, Peter, A Nation Under Siege – The Civil War in Wales 1642–48 (Cardiff, 1991)

–––– ‘Cromwellian Britain X: Montgomery, Montgomeryshire’, Cromwelliana (1997), 50– 9.

–––– ‘‘One of the Goodliest and Strongest Places that I Ever Looked upon’: Montgomery and the Civil War’, in Dunn, Diana (ed.) War and Society in Medieval and Early Modern Britain (Liverpool, 2000), pp. 180–203.

Hutton, Ronald, The Royalist war effort 1642–1646 (London, 1982).

16

Knight, Jeremy, ‘Excavations at Montgomery Castle–Part I: The Documentary evidence, Structures and Excavated features’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 141 (1992), 97–180.

–––– ‘Excavations at Montgomery Castle, Part II: Metal Finds’, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 142, (1993), 182–242.

Norman Tucker, North Wales and Chester in the Civil War (Ashbourne, 2003).

Walters, Mark, ‘The Civil War Battlefield at Montgomery, Powys’ Archaeology in Wales, 35 (1995), 74–5.

4.2.1 Unpublished Secondary Sources

Walters, M. J. and Hunnisett, K., ‘The Civil War Battlefield at Montgomery, Powys: Archaeological Assessment’, Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust Report No. 142, (1995).

4.3 Cartographic Evidence

1816 Bishop’s Castle, Ordnance Survey Drawing (OSD 200).

1838 Tithe map of Montgomery parish (#920).

1874 First Edition six inch OS map sheet 37.

1900 Second Edition six inch OS map sheet 37.

4.4 Web Resources

Archwlio www.archwilio.org.uk

Coflein www.coflein.gov.uk

Portable Antiquities Scheme http://finds.org.uk/database/search/advanced

People Collection Wales http://www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/Places/FullMap

17

5. Map of Battlesite

Site of fiercest fighting

Metal detector survey areas

Parliamentary troop position

Royalist troop positions

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Wales. Licence number: 100020548, 2013.

Figure 1: Location Map indicating the site of the Battle of Montgomery