Owain ap Hywel (died c. 930[1]) was a king of Glywysing and Gwent[2] in southeastern Wales.

Owain's father Hywel was king of Glywysing until his death around AD 886.[1] Although the unified kingdom of Glywysing and Gwent became known as Morgannwg in honor of Owain's son Morgan the Old, Charles-Edwards argues that it is probable that the two realms were already united during Owain's reign.[2] Owain or his brother Arthfael must have gained control of Gwent by conquest or inheritance from the previous rulers (their cousins), with the realm becoming united after Arthfael's death around 916.[1]

Along with Hywel the Good, Owain met with King Æthelstan of Wessex following the latter's conquest of Northumbria. Around 927, he and Hywel "established peace with pledge and oaths" at Eamont Bridge near Penrith.[3][4][5] The subsequent tribute payments in silver[6] and in kind were bemoaned by the bards as a heavy burden.[4]

Owain's death initially divided the kingdom again among his three sons, but the long-lived Morgan outlasted his brothers and reunited the realm again, which thenceforth carried his name.

Children

Owain's wife was Elen ferch Rhodri (born c. 850[1]). His sons were:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Ford, David. Early British Kingdoms: "South Welsh Royal Pedigree: Kings of Gwent, Glywysing, Morgannwg, Ergyng, Garth Madrun & Early Kings of Dyfed". Accessed 20 Feb 2013.
  2. ^ a b Charles-Edwards, T. Wales and the Britons, 350–1064, p. 495. Oxford Univ. Press, 2012. Accessed 20 Feb 2013.
  3. ^ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (D text), entry for AD 926.
  4. ^ a b Stafford, Pauline (ed.) A Companion to the Early Middle Ages: Britain and Ireland c. 500–1100, p. 343. John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Accessed 20 Feb 2013.
  5. ^ Moore, David. The Welsh wars of independence, c. 410 – c. 1415, p. 31. Tempus, 2005.
  6. ^ Williams, Glanmor. Glamorgan County History, Vol. 2: "Early Glamorgan: Pre-History and Early History", p. 352. W. Lewis, 1984.
  7. ^ Ashley, Mike. The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens. Carroll & Graf Publishers (New York), 1998. Accessed 20 Feb 2013.
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