Owen de la Pole facts for kids

Owen de la Pole (born around 1257, died around 1293) was also known as Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. He was the next in line to rule the Welsh principality of Powys Wenwynwyn. A principality is a territory ruled by a prince. In 1283, this principality was ended by the English Parliament. After his father, Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, died around 1287, Owen became the first Lord of Powis.

Early Life and Family Connections

Owen was born in England sometime after 1257. His father had to leave Wales and live in England because of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was the ruler of Gwynedd. While in exile, Owen's father likely started using the name de la Pole. This name means "of the Pool" and refers to the old name for Welshpool, which was his family's main town.

In 1263, a peace agreement called the Treaty of Montgomery allowed Owen's father to get some of his lands back. In return, he had to show loyalty to Llywelyn as the Prince of Wales. However, the good relationship between Powys Wenwynwyn and Gwynedd did not last long.

Troubles with Llywelyn

In 1274, Owen and his father were accused of trying to harm the Prince of Wales. Because of this, Owen and his father had to escape to Shrewsbury in England. From there, they led attacks along the border against Wales, helping the English king.

After Edward I of England defeated Llywelyn in 1277, Owen and his father returned to Wales. Their lands were given back to them. Soon, they had a disagreement with Llywelyn over their border. This disagreement helped start a new fight by the Welsh princes against English rule.

In 1284, after Edward I conquered Wales, the de la Pole family gave up their claim to be princes. But they received their territory back as a "free barony." This meant they became marcher lords of Powys, ruling their lands with special rights.

Family and Inheritance

Owen's father, Gruffydd, died around 1286. His mother was Hawise Lestrange. She was the daughter of John Lestrange. Owen had several uncles and an aunt, including Hamo le Strange and Roger le Strange, Baron Strange.

In 1290, Owen gave parts of his lordship to his four younger brothers. They held these lands as his tenants. Two of his brothers were priests and received their shares for life. The shares of the other two brothers would return to Owen if they did not have children. Only William had children. His family ruled the Lordship of Mawddwy and most of Mallwyd for many generations.

Marriage and Children

Owen married Joan Corbet. She was the daughter of Robert Corbet and Catherine Le Strange. Owen and Joan had one daughter and likely five sons.

• Griffith de la Pole: He became the 2nd Lord of Powis but died in 1309 without having children.
• Hawise de la Pole: She was known as "The Lady of Powys." She was born in Powys on July 25, 1290, and died in Grey Friars in 1349. She inherited the lordship in 1309. Hawise married John Charleton, 1st Baron Cherleton. Their descendants continued to hold the lordship until the late 1500s.

Owen lived the last part of his life at Powys Castle in Welshpool. He died around 1293. After his death, the lordship of Powis first went to his son Griffith. When Griffith died without children, it passed to Owen's daughter Hawise and her family.