His eldest brother, Llywelyn, was killed soon after the death of his father in 1160, at which point Powys was shared between Madog's sons Gruffydd Maelor, Owain Fychan and Owain Brogyntyn, his nephew Owain Cyfeiliog and half-brother Iorwerth Goch.[3] Owain Fychan shared the southern portion of his father's territories with Owain Cyfeiliog. Working together they drove the English out of Carreghofa in 1163 (capturing and destroying the royal castle there, which was made of timber until fortified in stone in 1194[4]) and Iorwerth Goch from Mochnant Is Rhaeadr in 1166.[5]
Owain Fychan now controlled Mechain, Cynllaith, Caereinion and Mochnant Is Rhaeadr.[2][6][5] Carreghofa Castle was retaken by Henry II in 1165, but Owain Fychan recaptured it again by 1187.[7] The castle may have been important because of silver mining operations taking place there.[4]
