Owain Gwynedd

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Owain Gwynedd (c.1100–70), king of Gwynedd (1132–70). Noted by contemporaries for his wisdom, prowess, and prudence, his creation of a large feudal principality in Gwynedd was an inspiration to his successors, skilfully propagated by his court poets. The second son of Gruffydd ap Cynan (d. 1137), king of Gwynedd, he and his brother Cadwallon helped their father to expand Gwynedd's power (1120s). As king (Cadwallon died in 1132), he strengthened his hold on church and state in Gwynedd, exploited the anarchy in England to advance south (he was at the Welsh victory near Cardigan, 1136), and he took his authority eastwards to the Dee (by 1165) despite hostility from the earl of Chester and Powys's rulers. His only major (and temporary) reverse was at Henry II's hands (1157), after which Owain wisely acknowledged English suzerainty. By his death (28 November 1170) he was the pre-eminent ruler in Wales; he was buried in Bangor cathedral.

Ralph Alan Griffiths