Owain ap Dafydd facts for kids

Owain ap Dafydd (born around 1275 – died around 1325) was a Welsh prince. He was the younger son of Dafydd ap Gruffydd, who was the last independent ruler of Gwynedd and called himself the Prince of Wales.

We don't know much about Owain's early life. It's thought he might have traveled with his father when his family had to live away from Wales in England during the 1270s. His mother was Elizabeth Ferrers.

A Royal Family's Capture

After his uncle Llywelyn ap Gruffudd passed away in late 1282, Owain's father, Dafydd ap Gruffudd, took charge of Gwynedd.

Capture and Imprisonment

Owain and his father were captured together in June 1283. This happened after a short struggle near Bera Mawr, above Bethesda. Soon after, Owain's father, Dafydd, was taken to Shrewsbury. There, he faced serious charges and was put to death in October of that year.

After his older brother Llywelyn was arrested in June, both Owain and Llywelyn were taken under guard. They traveled from Gwynedd through Acton Burnell to Bristol Castle.

Life in Captivity

Owain's brother, Llywelyn, passed away in 1287. Owain was last known to be alive in 1325, when he would have been in his fifties.

During much of his time at Bristol Castle, Owain was kept very securely. He was even held in a wooden cage at night to make sure he couldn't escape. King Edward I gave an order in October 1305 about Owain. The order said that Owain, who was held at Bristol Castle, needed to be kept more safely. So, the King told the castle leader to fix a strong house inside the castle. He also ordered them to build a wooden cage with iron in that house. This cage was where Owain would be kept at night.

The exact date and reasons for Owain's death are not known.