Owain ap Cadwgan facts for kids

Owain ap Cadwgan was a Welsh prince who lived a long time ago. He was a leader in a part of Wales called Powys. Owain is mostly remembered for a famous event: he took a woman named Nest from her home. Nest was married to a man named Gerald of Windsor.

Early Life and the Story of Nest

Owain was the oldest son of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn, who was also a prince in Powys. We first hear about Owain in the year 1106. He was involved in a conflict where he killed two men, Meurig and Griffri. These men were sons of Trahaearn ap Caradog and owned land in Arwystli.

In 1109, Owain's father, Cadwgan, held a big party at his home in Ceredigion. At this party, Owain heard about his cousin, Nest. People said she was very beautiful. Nest's husband, Gerald, lived in a castle called Cenarth Bychan. This castle might have been Cilgerran Castle.

Owain decided to visit the castle to see Nest for himself. When he saw her, he was very impressed. He decided he wanted to marry her. Nest was also special because her father was the last King of Deheubarth.

One night during Christmas in 1109, Owain and fifteen friends went to the castle. They dug under the gate to get inside. Then they rushed in to take Nest and her children. They also set the castle on fire. Nest's husband, Gerald, managed to escape through a secret passage.

Consequences and Exile

Owain's actions caused big problems for his father. The king's representative in Shropshire, Richard de Beaumais, promised land to other Welsh leaders. He told them they would get land if they attacked Cadwgan and Owain.

Because of this pressure, Owain had to leave Wales. He fled all the way to Ireland. His father, Cadwgan, gave up to King Henry I of England. Cadwgan lost all his lands because of what Owain did.

Later, King Henry gave Ceredigion back to Cadwgan. But there was a condition: Cadwgan had to pay a large fine. He also had to promise not to have anything more to do with Owain.

Return and Power Struggles

Owain did not stay in Ireland for long. He soon came back to Powys. He made a deal with another leader named Madog ap Rhiryd. King Henry then decided to release Owain's uncle, Iorwerth ap Bleddyn. Iorwerth had been held captive since 1110. The king gave Iorwerth control of Powys.

Iorwerth drove Owain out of Powys. Owain went to Ceredigion. From there, he started raiding lands in Dyfed. He captured people and sold them in slave markets in Ireland. He also killed an important person from a group called the Flemish, named William of Brabant.

King Henry was very angry about this. He took all of Cadwgan's lands away again. He made Cadwgan live in England as an exile. Owain had to flee to Ireland once more.

However, in 1111, Owain's ally, Madog ap Rhiryd, killed Iorwerth. After this, the rule of Powys was given back to Cadwgan. Cadwgan was allowed to call Owain back from Ireland. But in the same year, Madog also killed Cadwgan. This meant Owain became the ruler of a large part of Powys.

Owain chose his uncle, Maredudd ap Bleddyn, to be his penteulu. This was like being the captain of his guards. In 1113, Maredudd was able to capture Madog ap Rhiryd. He sent Madog to Owain. Owain got revenge for his father's death by blinding Madog.

Later Years and Death

In 1114, King Henry invaded Wales. His main target was Gruffudd ap Cynan, the ruler of Gwynedd. Owain joined forces with Gruffudd. They both went to Gwynedd to avoid the king's army.

After they made peace with King Henry, the king took Owain with him. They traveled to Normandy later that year. King Henry even made Owain a knight. Owain returned with the king in 1115.

In 1116, Owain helped King Henry fight. He joined the king's army to stop a rebellion led by Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth. Gerald of Windsor, Nest's husband, was also fighting on the same side. Gerald saw his chance for revenge. He attacked Owain when Owain only had ninety men with him. Owain was killed in this attack. After Owain's death, most of Powys went to his uncle, Maredudd.