Battle of Tuthill

The Battle of Tuthill took place at Caernarfon on 2 November 1401 during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr. Glyndŵr's success at the Battle of Mynydd Hyddgen the previous June had provided the revolt with fresh impetus, and the battle may be seen as indicative of his determination to foster revolt in the north-west after months of relative inaction in that area. In symbolic terms, the battle is most famous as the first occasion on which Glyndŵr flew his flag bearing a golden dragon on a white field, recalling the symbolism of Uthr Pendragon, and thereby more solidly drawing comparisons between his revolt and Welsh political mythology of the time, which drew heavily on the image of the 'mab darogan' or chosen son, who would free Wales from subjugation.

Little is known about the particulars of the fighting - the battle ended inconclusively, with 300 Welsh soldiers reported dead, but the isolation of Caernarfon and Glyndŵr's ability to attack English positions in Wales with impunity amply demonstrated.

References

R. R. Davies, The Revolt of Owain Glyn Dŵr (Oxford, 1995). Ieuan Wyn, 'Codi Baner Y Ddraig Am Y Tro Cyntaf', Y Faner Newydd 27 (2004), pp. 42–3.