Hawise Lestrange facts for kids

Hawise Lestrange (died 1310) was an important woman in medieval Wales and England. She was the daughter of John Lestrange, a powerful lord from the Welsh Marches. The Marches were border lands between England and Wales.

Hawise married Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn, who ruled southern Powys, a part of Wales. She became very important in managing her family's lands and affairs. Hawise was involved in a plan against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Wales, in 1274. Later, she and her husband supported King Edward I during his conquest of Wales.

Hawise's Early Life and Marriage

We don't know exactly when Hawise was born. She was likely a teenager when she married Gruffudd around 1242. In that year, Gruffudd received permission from the king to give Hawise land. This land, called "dower," was for her financial support if he died.

Hawise and Gruffudd probably knew each other before marriage. Gruffudd had spent much of his life in England and the Marches. His mother, Margaret Corbet, was from a nearby Marcher lordship. She stayed in touch with her son and daughter-in-law.

In their early marriage, Hawise and Gruffudd lived mostly at Powis Castle, near Welshpool. Gruffudd was loyal to King Henry III of England. The king rewarded him for his loyalty. In 1248, Hawise even received two stags from the king.

However, in 1257, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the Prince of Gwynedd, attacked southern Powys. Hawise and Gruffudd were forced to leave their home. Because they didn't get much help from the English king, Gruffudd decided to support Llywelyn in 1263.

Hawise and Prince Llywelyn

Even though her husband joined Llywelyn in 1263, Hawise's own family usually supported the English Crown. Hawise herself seemed to dislike Llywelyn for most of her life.

A Plan to Change Leadership

By 1274, Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn was back in favor with the English king. That year, his family became involved in a plan against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Hawise and her oldest son, Owain, were key parts of this plan. Llywelyn's own brother, Dafydd ap Gruffudd, was also involved.

The idea was for Dafydd and Owain to kill Llywelyn at his court. Dafydd would then become the new leader. Owain would marry Dafydd's daughter and receive land. However, a snowstorm stopped the plan from happening. Llywelyn became suspicious.

Owain was captured. We know about Hawise's involvement from a confession Owain supposedly made. He said his mother was in charge of keeping the plan's documents safe. She kept them locked in her private chest at their home in Pool. Historians believe Hawise's role in managing the household made her perfect for protecting secret information.

The English Conquest of Wales

There is no direct mention of Hawise Lestrange during the fall of native Wales in December 1282. This was when Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was killed. However, Hawise's husband and sons were very involved in tracking Llywelyn. They also fought against him.

Because of this, it's very likely Hawise played a part too. She also had a relative, Margaret Lestrange. Margaret was married to someone who had left Llywelyn's court. Margaret might have helped share important information between Wales and the Marches before Llywelyn's defeat.

Hawise's Later Years and Family Role

From the 1270s, Hawise started taking a bigger role in managing the family's lands. This might have been because she was much younger than her husband, Gruffudd. Around 1270, she took control of her brother Hamon's manor, Church Stretton, while he went on a religious journey (crusade). When Hamon died on the crusade, Hawise fully took over the manor.

She was a strong leader for her family. She seemed to be central to arranging her children's marriages. She also helped plan for the future of her husband's family lands. When Gruffudd ap Gwenwynwyn died in 1286, he made sure Hawise's "dower" lands were protected. These lands included Buttington and other areas. Her mother-in-law had also held some of these lands.

After Gruffudd's death in 1286, Hawise managed her family and lands very strictly. She had some disagreements with her daughter-in-law, Joan, who was the widow of her eldest son Owain.

By 1302, managing the estates became difficult for Hawise. Between 1302 and 1306, the king allowed her to pay her debts at Exchequer of Chester. This was easier for her than going all the way to Westminster. In 1308, she gave control of the barony of Pool to her only surviving son, Gruffudd Fychan.

Hawise Lestrange died in November 1310. She was probably in her late eighties. It is thought she was buried at Strata Marcella Abbey. This abbey was founded by her husband's ancestor, Owain Cyfeiliog.

Hawise's Family and Children

Hawise and Gruffudd had several children. Their first child was a daughter named Margaret. She might have been named after Gruffudd's mother, Margaret Corbet. They then had six sons who lived to adulthood:

• Margaret, who married Fulk, son of Fulk FitzWarin.
• Owain 'de la Pole', who married Joan Corbet.
• Llywelyn, who married Sybil Turberville.
• Gruffudd Fychan, who married a relative of Roger Springhose.
• Gwilym, who married Gwladus.
• Dafydd, who became a cleric (a church official).
• Ieuan, who also became a cleric.

Hawise's Personal Seal

Hawise's personal seal was found in Oswestry in the 1800s. A seal was used to make an impression in wax to show who sent a document. Her seal shows a standing woman wearing a long dress and a cloak. She also wears a cap and pointed shoes.

In her right hand, she holds a shield with her husband's family symbol. In her left hand, she holds a shield with her own Lestrange family symbol. The writing on the seal says 'Hawise, Lady of Cyfeiliog'.