A large number of Flemings had settled in Wales, having left their own country in consequence of the constant troubles there; and many of these had set up cloth mills, at Welshpool and other places.

Having suffered great destruction of property at the hands of Glendower, and seeing no hope of the insurrection being put down by the English, they resolved to take the matter into their own hands.

Fifteen hundred of them gathered, secretly, and surrounded Glendower in one of his mountain intrenchments.
He repulsed their attacks, but the situation was desperate.

Provisions ran short.

He was unable to summon help, and at last determined, with his little body of followers, to endeavour to cut his way out through the besiegers.