Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr

Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr (c.1375-c.1412 was the eldest son of Margaret Hanmer and Owain Glyndŵr the disinherited Prince of the old Royal house of Powys Fadog who led a major revolt in Wales between 1400 and c.1416.

Early life

Little is known about any of the children of Owain Glyndŵr. Gruffudd is recorded as being Owain's eldest son and would-be heir to the crown of Wales had his father's rebellion ultimately been successful in creating an independent Wales.

Role in the Rebellion

He is known to have taken part in a raid in south Wales in 1406, alongside his uncle Tudur ap Gruffudd, and another rebel Captain Rhys Gethin. They were defeated by Prince Henry of Monmouth, later to become King Henry V or possibly John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury. The exact place and date of this battle is subject to dispute, but the Annals of Owain Glyndwr call it the Battle of Pwll Melyn, near Usk. The result appears to have been a major Welsh defeat, the capture of Gruffudd ab Owain Glyndŵr, and the deaths of Tudur and Rhys Gethin.

Imprisonment and death

He was sent to the Tower of London and after six years died in prison of bubonic plague. It is not known if he was married or had sired any children of his own.

There is a connection with Gruffudd ab Owain and the castles at Grosmont and Skenfrith.

Lineage

References

• http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/owainglyndwr.htm
• http://www.castles99.ukprint.com/contents.htm
• http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/299/iid/4/show/introduction