At the Battle of Poitiers on 19th September 1356, Welsh archers changed tactics to secure a decisive victory.
The Battle of Poitiers was a conflict of the Hundred Years' War, which was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 between England and France for control of the French throne. It is reported that the famous Welsh archers, were not as effective in their traditional role during this battle as their arrows either skidded off the French armour or shattered on impact. Instead, they took to firing at the horses, as a method of stopping the cavalry charges and as armour on the horses was weaker on their sides and back, the archers moved to shoot the horses in the flanks, a move which proved decisive in gaining victory.
On 19th September 1717, the Japanning of tinplate was first established in Pontypool.
Pontypool Japan is the name given to the process of japanning with the use of an oil varnish and heat which is credited to Thomas Allgood from Pontypool. Allgood developed a corrosion-resistant coating for iron, using asphaltum, linseed oil and burnt umber, which when applied and heated, turned the metal black and made it extremely tough and durable. However although named "Pontypool ware", most was actually produced in Usk or Newport.
1870 Siege of Paris by Prussian forces begins (lasts until January 28, 1871)
1876 First carpet sweeper patented by Melville Bissell of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
1893 New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all women the right to vote.
1939 William Joyce, better known as Lord Haw-Haw, begins broadcasting Nazi propaganda in English from Germany for Reichssender Hamburg to undermine British morale during World War II.
1961 Betty and Barney Hill claim that they saw a mysterious craft in the sky and that it tried to abduct them..
1970: The first Glastonbury Festival is held at Michael Eavis's farm at Worthy Farm, Pilton. Then called the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival, 1500 people watch a performance by Tyrannosaurus Rex shortly before their name change and first hit 'Ride a White Swan'.
1981: Simon & Garfunkel reunite for a free concert in New York's Central Park in front of more than 500,000 people.
