Did you know there once existed a band of red-headed Welsh bandits who terrorized Mid-Cymru in the 16th century? This group of highwaymen was known as ‘Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy’ (the “Red Bandits of Mawddwy”).

They etched their name in Welsh folklore as a brotherhood of men who, well, raised hell.Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy occupied Mawddwy – a lawless area lying between the Welsh Marches and Meirionnydd – throughout the 1500s.

The Welsh bandits’ most infamous feat was murdering the then-Sheriff of Meirionnydd, the Baron Lewis ap Owen, of Cwrt Plas-yn-dre, Dolgellau, on 12 October 1555.

It is believed a man named John Goch ap Gruffudd ap Huw struck the final, killing blow on the sheriff… which apparently led to the hanging of numerous members of the group of Welsh bandits.

Oops.

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Niklas George

Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.