Owain Mab Urien - The Historical Owain

The Historical Owain

Our chief references to the historical Owain appear in the poems of Taliesin, Urien's bard. In one poem, he appears as the victor of the Battle of Alclud Ford. Another, Gweith Argoed Llwyfain ("The Battle of Argoed Llwyfain"), tells of Owain's part in a battle between the men of Rheged under Urien and the men of Bernicia under "Fflamddwyn" (Firestealer), possibly the Anglian king Theodric. When Fflamddwyn demands hostages, Owain shouts defiance and inspires the men of Rheged to fight rather than give tribute to the English.

Taliesin also composed Marwnad Owain, an elegy to Owain. In the poem, it is said that Owain slew Fflamddwyn:

Pan laddodd Owain Fflamddwyn Nid oedd fwy nogyd cysgaid

Cysgid Lloegr llydan nifer A lleufer yn eu llygaid

A rhai ni ffoynt haeach A oeddynt hyach na rhaid

Owain a'u cosbes yn ddrud Mal cnud yn dylud defaid

When Owain slew Fflamddwyn it was no more to him than to sleep

The wide host of Lloegr sleeps with the light in their eyes

And those that did not flee were braver than was needed

Owain punished them harshly like a pack of wolves chasing sheep

He inherited the kingdom of Rheged when his father was killed, but was immediately beset by his British neighbours Dunaut Bwr from Dunoting and Gwallawc Marchawc Trin of Elmet, the latter attacking Owein's brother Elffin whilst Owein and Pasgen, another brother, fought Dunaut.

Owein was slain in battle against his father's old nemesis Morcant Bulc of Bryneich after a short reign. His death marked the end of Rheged as an effective power.

He is said to be buried at Llan-Forfael or Llan-Heledd, which local traditions place in the churchyard of St. Andrew's at Penrith, though it is possible that the grave is actually that of the later Owen Cesarius.

Owein is said to be the father of St. Kentigern Garthwys by Denw, the daughter of "Leuddun", commonly identified with Lot Luwddoc of Lothian.