Madog Crypl facts for kids

Madog Crypl (also known as Madog Crippil) was a Welsh nobleman who lived from about 1275 to 1304 or 1306. He was a descendant of the important Princes of Powys Fadog and the Lords of Dinas Bran. Sometimes, people call him Madog III of Powys Fadog. However, he only ruled some of his family's lands, and these were under the control of the English king.

When Madog's father, Prince Gruffydd Fychan I, died in 1289, Madog was still a child. Because of this, his lands were looked after by the queen and then by other important people like Reginald de Grey. Madog later asked the king for his family lands back. It seems he was given control of Glyndyfrdwy and half of a region called Cynllaith, which included the area around Sycharth.

Madog married a woman named Gwenllian, who was the daughter of Ithel Fychan of Halkin. They had a son named Gruffydd of Rhuddallt. On July 8, 1304, when Gruffydd was only six years old, he was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of John LeStrange of Knockin.

Madog's Final Years

Madog passed away around 1304 or 1306. He likely died at his home in Rhuddallt, which was probably in the Glyn Dyfrdwy area.

Burial at Valle Crucis Abbey

Madog was buried at Valle Crucis Abbey near Llangollen. This abbey was a special place because his grandfather, Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor, had founded it. In 1956, a special tombstone belonging to Madog was discovered at the Abbey. It is now on display there. People say it is the best-preserved stone monument from that time in North Wales.

The carving on the tombstone shows a shield with a lion standing on its hind legs. Around the top half of the slab, there is an inscription. A sword in its sheath is placed diagonally behind the shield, and a spear runs straight up and down the slab. The whole design is decorated with vine leaves and bunches of grapes. The inscription says:

HIC IACET : MA/DOC' : FIL' : GRIFINI : DCI : VYCHAN

This means: "Here lies Madog son of Gruffydd called Fychan."

Madog's Family After Him

After Madog died, his young son, Gruffydd of Rhuddallt, became the responsibility of his father-in-law. When his father-in-law died in 1309, Gruffydd's lands were managed by others. Eventually, Roger Mortimer of Chirk took over the care of Gruffydd and his lands. However, Gruffydd likely stayed with the LeStrange family. Roger Mortimer even questioned if Gruffydd's marriage was valid in 1305.

Gruffydd finally gained full control of his lands in March 1321. He held his lordships as a Welsh baron, which meant he had to serve in the king's army with his own men, and the king would pay for it. In 1328, he made sure his lands would stay in his family. In 1332, he was given charge of the manor and castle of Ellesmere, which had recently been given to his brother-in-law, Eubolo LeStrange. Gruffydd died sometime after 1343.

Gruffydd was probably followed by his son, Gruffydd Fychan II. This Gruffydd is believed to have died shortly before 1370. He was the father of the famous Welsh leader, Owain Glyndŵr. However, some family trees suggest there might have been another generation, with a Madog Fychan as Madog Crypl's son.