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Traditionally, Owain was the son of the short-lived Emperor of Britain & Gaul, Magnus Maximus (alias Macsen Wledig). He is said to have remained behind in Britain with his mother when Magnus travelled to his death on the Continent. His position allowed him, in the late 4th century, to take control of Mid-South Wales, though he would not have styled himself 'King' at the time. He could have been something like decurion of the civilian settlement surrounding the fort at Tamium (modern Cardiff), or perhaps he held some military rank there. His influence traditionally extended across modern Glamorganshire. There is an old story told about how
Owain died. He and his brother, King Constantine
of North Wales, were escorting their mother, St. Elen Luyddog (of the
Host), through the Mountains of Snowdonia when Owain's rear-guard were
attacked by an evil giant, named Cidwm, near Nantmor. The two took part in
a fierce battle in which they pelted each other with either arrows or huge
steel balls. Eventually Owain killed the giant, but was so badly wounded
himself that he shot an arrow into the air and asked to be buried where it
fell. He died immediately afterward and was buried at what became Bedd
Owain. Later rumours suggested that he had been killed at the
instigation of his own brother.
Records of Owain Finddu date back to the 11th century. He is generally considered apocryphal. |
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