Maredudd ab Owain ap Gruffudd

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (sub “Gruffudd ap Rhys”) describes Maredudd as “a substantial figure”. “His allegiance was sought by Dafydd ap Llywelyn and the crown.” He was among the “leading magnates” of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, “sharing in his military achievements and participating in his councils.” He “ruled a substantial and stable barony.” His lands were divided among his sons at his death.

In 1236, Maredudd gave Maelgwn Fychan the commote of Mevenyth in exchange for the commote of Pennarth, and in 1241 there was a more general exchange of lands between them (Bridgeman, p. 213).

The poet “Y Prydydd Bychan” addressed verses to Maredudd, and wrote an elegy on his death (Anwyl, pp. 147-149).

Events

Date of Birth: unknown.

Date of Death: March 1265.

Place of Death: Llanbadarn Fawr.

The date and place of death are given in Brut y Tywysogion under the year 1265 (Williams pp. 354-355): “That year, the month of March, Maredudd, son of Owain, son of Gruffudd, son of the lord Rhys, the defender of all South Wales, and counsellor of all Wales, died at Llanbadarn the Great, and was buried in the chapter house of the monks, at Strata Florida.”

Date of Burial: 1265.

Place of Burial: Strata Florida.

The date and place of death are given in Brut y Tywysogion under the year 1265 (Williams pp. 354-355).

Relationships

Father: Owain ap Gruffudd ab yr arglwydd Rhys (died 1235).

This relationship is shown by Bartrum (Rhys ap Tewdwr 6), and given by Bridgeman (p. 210, p. 215, p. 249), by Dwnn (2:54), by Pryce (Acts Table 3) and by Brut y Tywysogion under the year 1265 (Williams pp. 354-355).

Mother: a daughter of Gwion Sais.

This relationship is shown by Bartrum (Rhys ap Tewdwr 6).

Spouse: a daughter of Thomas ap Rhodri.

This relationship is shown by Bartrum (Rhys ap Tewdwr 6).

Spouse: Elen ferch Sir Gilbert de Valle.

This relationship is shown by Bartrum (Rhys ap Tewdwr 6).

Spouse: Elinor ferch Maelgwn Fychan.

This relationship is shown by Bartrum (Rhys ap Tewdwr 6).

Children (by a daughter of Thomas ap Rhodri):

(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project. Most information below comes from Bartrum.)

Owain married Angharad ferch Owain ap Maredudd.

Children (by Elen ferch Sir Gilbert de Valle):

Gwenllian married Maredudd ap Cadwgon Fantach.

Children (by an unspecified spouse):

Gwladus married Maredudd ap Llywelyn Fychan

Gruffudd (died on or shortly before 24 March 1319).

Cynan of Caron (died 1328).

Rhys.

References

Anwyl, E. (ed.) The Poetry of the Gogynfeirrd from the Myvyrian Archaiology of Wales (Denbigh: Gee & Son, Ltd., 1819)

Bartrum, Peter C., “Rhys ap Tewdwr 6” in An Electronic Version of Welsh Genealogies AD 300-1500. [The sources Bartrum cites for Maredudd are: Brut y Tywygogion; Peniarth 131 (221, 257, 292) -- a MS written about 1500 by Ieuan Brechfa; Peniarth 137 (31) -- a MS written in the early 1500s by ‘Syr’ Thomas ap Ieuan ap Deiews; Peniarth 138 (830) -- a MS written about 1562 by Thomas ap Llywelyn ab Ithel of Bodfari.]

Bridgeman, George T.O. History of the Princes of South Wales (Wigan: Thomas Birch, 1876).

Davies, R.R. The Revolt of Owain Glyn Dŵr. (Oxford U.P., 1995).

Dwnn, Lewys, and Samuel Rush Meyrick. Heraldic visitations of Wales and part of the marches between the years 1586 and 1613 by Lewys Dwnn. (Llandovery: William Rees, 1846).

Oman, Sandra. “Maredudd ab Owain” in Tree: Wales. Welsh Medieval Database Primarily of Nobility and Gentry.

Pryce, Huw. The Acts of the Welsh Rulers 1120 - 1283 (Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2005)

Smith, J.B. “Gruffudd ap Rhys” in The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004).

Williams ab Ithel, John. Brut y Tywysogion; or, The Chronicle of the Princes (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts; 1860).