THE roads of mid Wales were known as a dangerous place.

Bandits and highwaymen stalked the roads and hills around Montgomeryshire for centuries and records of their crimes continue well into the 19th century.

However in 1555 one of the most infamous attacks ever recorded took place in the woods of Mawddwy.

By the end one of the most respected judges in Wales lay dead under a barrage of arrows.

Lewis Owen had become the latest victim of the Merioneth banditti.

Baron Owen had been on his way home to Dolgellau having visited Mawddwy to arrange the marriage of his son.

Baron Owen had served under three monarchs and was as well respected as baron of the exchequer in north Wales.

He had made it his life mission to catch and punish the outlaws of Wales who had come to earn infamy for burning houses, murder and cattle theft.

He toured the region and was famed for for delivering justice to 80 men on Christmas Eve.

In 1555 he had been in Montgomeryshire to arrange a marriage between his son and the daughter of the lord of Mawddwy.

However bandits had laid in wait and blocked the road by cutting down trees to block the road.

Baron Owen and his party were bombarded by arrows with one striking him in the face which he had broken off.

His men fled and left the baron and his son in law John Lloyd to face a hail of 'bills and javelins.'

Lloyd was later found with 30 arrows in his body, having defended his father in law until his dying breath.

Many of the murderers were captured and executed though some fled the country.

The scene of Baron Owen's murder is still known as"Llidiart y Barwn Owen," and the adjoining wood is called Frydd y Groes.