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
Margaret Hanmer ap Gruffudd, the last Prince of Wales. Nothing is known of Margaret's early life, not even the precise date of her marriage. She was the daughter of Sir David Hanmer and his wife Angharad ferch Llywelyn Ddu, and was probably raised in a Welsh household. Her father taught Owain Glyndwr when the latter studied law; it is not known when Margaret married Owain, although it is thought that their wedding may have taken place in 1383 in the church of St Chad's in Hanmer. The number of children she bore, and the dates of their births, are likewise uncertain. The