Criccieth Castle a distant relation of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, began an uprising against English rule that spread quickly through Wales. Several English-held towns were razed and Criccieth (along with Harlech Castle and Aberystwyth Castle) were besieged that winter. Its residents survived until spring when the castle was resupplied. In the 14th century the castle had a notable Welsh constable called Hywel ap Gruffydd, known as Howell the Axe, who fought for Edward III at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. The castle was used as a prison until 1404 when Welsh forces captured the castle during the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr. The
Owain ab Edwin of Tegeingl Owain ab Edwin of Tegeingl Owain ab Edwin of Tegeingl or Owain Fradwr (Welsh: "the Traitor"; ? – 1105) was lord of the cantref of Tegeingl in north-east Wales at the end of the 11th century. He was the son of Edwin of Tegeingl. He sided with the Normans in their failed invasion of North Wales, and in the 1090s attempted to become ruler of Gwynedd. His arms were "gules three men's legs conjoined at the thighs in triangle argent". Little is known of Owain's father, Edwin of Tegeingl. However, most medieval pedigrees identify Owain's paternal grandfather as Gronwy, a