Lewis ab Owen facts for kids
Lewis ab Owen (born by 1522 – died October 12, 1555) was an important Welsh politician. He lived in a place called Plas-yn-dre in Dolgellau, which is in Merioneth, Wales.
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Who Was Lewis ab Owen?
Lewis ab Owen was the oldest son of Owen ap Hywel ap Llywelyn. He was born around the year 1522. It is thought that he studied law, which helped him get important jobs in the government.
His Early Career
Lewis ab Owen became a key official in North Wales. He was appointed as the Chamberlain and 1st Baron of the Exchequer for North Wales. These were big jobs!
- A Chamberlain was like a chief manager for the King's money and lands in a region.
- A Baron of the Exchequer was a judge in a special court that dealt with the King's money matters.
Lewis ab Owen's Political Life
Lewis ab Owen held many important positions throughout his life, helping to govern his home region of Merioneth.
Serving His Community
- He worked as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Merioneth from 1543 until he passed away. A J.P. helps keep law and order in their local area.
- He was chosen as the High Sheriff of Merioneth twice, first in 1545 and again in 1554. The Sheriff was the main law enforcement officer in the county.
Member of Parliament
Lewis ab Owen was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Merioneth. This meant he represented his area in the national government. He served as an MP several times:
- In 1547
- In March 1553
- In April 1554
- In November 1554
He was also the custos rotulorum for Merioneth from 1553 until his death. This person was the chief keeper of the county's records and documents.
His Final Years
In 1555, Lewis ab Owen was involved in a major effort to bring order to the region. He worked to stop a group known as the Red Bandits of Mawddwy. After this, while he was traveling back from Montgomeryshire, he was attacked and sadly died on October 12, 1555.
Lewis ab Owen was married to Margaret, who was the daughter of Robert Puleston. They had a large family with eight sons and four daughters.
