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 Glyndŵr Owain Glyndŵr Owain Glyndŵr (; c. 1359 – c. 1415), or Owain Glyn Dŵr, was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales ("Tywysog Cymru"). He instigated a fierce and long-running, yet ultimately unsuccessful war of independence with the aim of ending English rule in Wales. The traditional spelling in English is Owen Glendower (. Glyndŵr was a descendant of the Princes of Powys through his father Gruffudd Fychan II, hereditary "Tywysog" of Powys Fadog and Lord of Glyndyfrdwy, and of those of Deheubarth through his mother Elen ferch Tomas ap Llywelyn ab