Owain Brogyntyn facts for kids
Owain Brogyntyn ap Madog lived between about 1160 and 1186. He was a prince of Powys, a powerful Welsh kingdom. Owain was the third son of Madog ap Maredudd, who was the last king of a united Powys. His mother was the daughter of a local leader called the Maer du (meaning "black mayor") from a place called Rhug in Edernion. Some old writings, however, say his mother was Susanna, which would have made him a legitimate son.
Owain Brogyntyn was the brother of Gruffydd Maelor. Gruffydd Maelor was an ancestor of the famous Welsh hero, Owain Glyndŵr. It's thought that Owain Brogyntyn grew up with his mother in Rûg. His father, King Madog, recognized him and gave him control over the lands of Edeyrnion and Dinmael. It's possible he inherited some of these lands from his mother's family, and his father simply confirmed and perhaps added to them. At some point, he also gained control of Castle Brogyntyn, which was near the English border close to Oswestry.
Becoming a Ruler
In 1160, after his father and older half-brother died, Owain inherited a part of the Kingdom of Powys. This specific area was called the cantref of Penllyn, which included Edeyrnion and Dinmael. A "cantref" was a traditional Welsh land division, like a county.
His father, King Madog, was a strong military leader. He had stopped Owain Gwynedd, the powerful Prince of Gwynedd, from taking over Powys. But after Madog's death, Owain Gwynedd became very powerful. He was able to force Owain Brogyntyn to become his vassal. This meant Owain Brogyntyn had to promise loyalty and service to Owain Gwynedd. Because of this, Penllyn became part of Gwynedd.
Family and Descendants
Owain Brogyntyn married twice. His first wife was Jonet verch Hywel. She came from a noble family, but they did not have any children together.
His second wife was Marred ferch Einion ap Seisyllt. With Marred, Owain had three sons: Bleddyn, Gruffydd, and Iorwerth.
His Sons and Their Families
When Owain Brogyntyn died, his son Bleddyn became the Lord of Dinmael. Many important families today can trace their family line back to Bleddyn. For example, the Wynn family of Dudleston are descendants of Bleddyn's grandson, Howell. Their family symbol is a black lion on a silver shield.
Owain's youngest son, Iorwerth ab Owain Brogyntyn, married Efa verch Madoc. Efa was the only heir of Madoc, who was the Lord of Mawddwy. Madoc was the younger son of Gwenwynwyn, who was a prince of Powys Wenwynwyn.
Iorwerth and Efa had a son named Gruffudd ab Iorwerth. King Edward I of England confirmed Gruffudd's right to his lands as the Baron of Edeyrnion. This happened under the rules of the Statute of Rhuddlan. This was a law that England used to take control of Wales.
Historical Treasures
In 1799, a writer named Philip York wrote that a cup and a dagger belonging to Owain Brogyntyn were kept at Rûg in Edeyrnion. Later accounts from 1868 said that a cup and dagger owned by "Colonel Vaughan of Rhug" once belonged to a different Welsh hero, Owain Glyndŵr, who lived much later. No matter who the original owner was, these historical objects might be lost today.
The direct male descendants of Iorwerth ab Owain Brogyntyn are still alive today. They are known as the Jones of Faerdref Uchaf family.
