Iorwerth ab Owain facts for kids

Iorwerth ab Owain (also known as Iorwerth of Gwynllŵg) was a Welsh prince who lived a long time ago. He was a leader in Gwynllŵg and also the Lord of Caerleon. He passed away sometime before the year 1184.

Early Life and Family Connections

Iorwerth was the son of Owain ap Caradog. This made him the grandson of King Caradog ap Gruffydd from the area called Gwent.

In 1136, Iorwerth and his older brother Morgan ab Owain were involved in a conflict. During this time, Richard FitzGilbert de Clare died in an ambush between Abergavenny and Talgarth. Iorwerth also helped his brother take back control of areas like Upper Gwent and Llenfennydd.

Because they were so close, Iorwerth became the next leader after his brother Morgan passed away in 1158. Even though Morgan had sons, Iorwerth took over. But unlike his brother, Iorwerth did not call himself a king.

Challenges and Conflicts

Before 1169, Richard de Clare, who was the Lord of Chepstow, took back Usk Castle.

In 1171, Lord Rhys and the English king Henry II (who was on his way to Ireland) forced Iorwerth out of Caerleon Castle. Iorwerth had to move to Machen Castle in Gwynllŵg.

After King Henry II continued his journey to Pembroke, Iorwerth, his sons, and his nephew Morgan ap Seisyll tried to get Caerleon Castle back. They were not successful in taking the castle. After this, they raided and damaged the Llefennydd region.

A Time of Loss and Revenge

In 1172, Iorwerth's oldest son, Owain, and Iorwerth's brother-in-law, Seisyll ap Dyfnwal, were on their way to Usk Castle. They were going to talk with King Henry II. But soldiers from the Earl of Gloucester attacked them. Seisyll was captured, and sadly, Owain was killed.

To get revenge, Iorwerth and his son Hywel raided large parts of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. The next year, King Henry II's power was weaker because his own sons rebelled against him. Iorwerth and Hywel used this chance to launch more attacks and take more land.

After a three-day siege, they successfully took back Caerleon Castle on July 21, 1173. They then also took control of Lower Gwent.

Family Troubles and New Alliances

At the start of 1175, there were serious disagreements within Iorwerth's own family. His nephew Morgan, who was a son of Morgan ab Owain, started to support the English. The English then took back Caerleon Castle and Lower Gwent.

However, in late June 1175, Iorwerth made an alliance with Lord Rhys. Under Lord Rhys's leadership, Iorwerth was one of the princes from southeastern Wales who met King Henry II in Gloucester. This meeting helped Iorwerth get Caerleon back.

It is believed that this was also helped by the fact that Iorwerth's daughter, Nest, became close with King Henry II around that time. She later married Ralph Bloet, an Anglo-Norman lord from a nearby area called Striguil.

Family and Descendants

Iorwerth likely married Angharad before 1148. Angharad was the daughter of Bishop Uhtred of Llandaff.

Iorwerth and Angharad had several children, including:

• Owain
• Hywel
• Gruffudd
• Cadwallon
• Morgan
• Nest

Iorwerth passed away sometime between 1175 and 1184. His son, Hywel ab Iorwerth, became his successor. Either Iorwerth or his son Hywel founded the Cistercian Llantarnam Abbey between 1175 and 1179.