Owain Gwynedd - Heirs and Successors

Heirs and Successors

Owain had originally designated Rhun ab Owain Gwynedd as his successor. Rhun was Owain's favourite son, and his premature death in 1147 plunged his father into a deep melancholy, from which he was only roused by the news that his forces had captured Mold castle. Owain then designated Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd as his successor, but after his death Hywel was first driven to seek refuge in Ireland by Cristina's sons, Dafydd and Rhodri, then killed at the battle of Pentraeth when he returned with an Irish army. Dafydd and Rhodri split Gwynedd between them, but a generation passed before Gwynedd was restored to its former glory under Owain's grandson Llywelyn the Great.

According to legend, one of Owain's sons was Prince Madoc, who is popularly supposed to have fled across the Atlantic and colonised America.

Altogether, the prolific Owain Gwynedd is said to have had the following children from two wives and at least four mistresses:

• Rhun ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate in Catholic custom, but legitimate successor in Welsh custom)
• Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate in Catholic custom, but legitimate successor in Welsh custom)
• Iorwerth ab Owain Gwynedd (from first wife Gwladys (Gladys) ferch Llywarch)
• Maelgwn ab Owain Gwynedd,(from first wife Gwladys (Gladys) ferch Llywarch) Lord of Môn (1170–1173)
• Gwenllian ferch Owain Gwynedd
• Dafydd ab Owain Gwynedd (from second wife Cristina (Christina) ferch Gronw)
• Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd, Lord of Môn (1175–1193)
• Angharad ferch Owain Gwynedd
• Margaret ferch Owain Gwynedd
• Iefan ab Owain Gwynedd
• Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd, Lord of Meirionnydd (illegitimate)
• Rhirid ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Madoc ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate) (speculative/legendary)
• Cynwrig ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Gwenllian II ferch Owain Gwynedd (also shared the same name with a sister)
• Einion ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Iago ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Ffilip ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Cadell ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Rotpert ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Idwal ab Owain Gwynedd (illegitimate)
• Other daughters