Cantref
A cantref (pronounced / kantrɛv / ) was an administrative unit, which was essential especially in the legal order in medieval Wales.
Wales was divided in medieval Cantrefi, in turn, in the smaller Cymydau ( Commotes ) were divided. The name " cantref " is derived from " Cant " ( "hundred" ) and " tref " ("city " in modern Welsh, formerly but also for much smaller settlements used). The Cantrefi seem to be the original units, added the Cymydau later. The Cantrefi could vary greatly in size, most of them were divided into two or three Cymydau, the largest, however, " cantref Mawr " and " Great cantref " in Ystrad Tywi (now Carmarthenshire ) consisted of seven Cymydau. The Isle of Anglesey, for example, consisted of three Cantrefi: Cemais, Aberffraw and Rhosyr.
The Cantrefi were particularly important for the Welsh administration of justice. Each cantref had its own Court, a meeting of the " Uchelwyr ," the major landowners of cantref. Chairman of the Court was the king, provided he was present, or its authorized representative. In addition to the judges, there was a clerk ( Clerk ), an usher (Usher ) and sometimes even professional defender ( Pleader ). The cantref court treated criminal cases, border and inheritance disputes. The Cymydau later took over many of the functions of the cantref dishes, so that in some areas the names of Cymydau are better known than those of the respective cantref.
The Cantrefi of Wales
Gwynedd
- Cemais
- Aberffraw
- Rhosyr
- Arfon
- Arllechwedd
- Dinllaen or cantref Llŷn
- Cymydmaen
- Gaflogion
- Dunoding / Eifionydd
- Rhos
- Rhufoniog
- Dyffryn Clwyd
- Tegeingl
Powys
- Maelor
- Penllyn
- Swydd y Waun
- Arwystli
- Mochnant
- Cyfeiliog
- Caerenion
- Mechain
- Cedewain
- Gwrtheyrnion
- Elfael
- Maelienydd
- Buellt
Deheubarth
- Penweddig
- Is Aeron
- Uwch Aeron
- Cemais
- Pebidiog
- Rhos
- Deugleddyf
- Penfro
- Cantref Gwarthaf
- Emlyn
- Y cantref Mawr
- Y cantref Bychan
- Eginog
Dyfed
The seven historic Cantrefi the former Dyfed before it burst into Deheubarth:
Cemais, Pebidiog, Rhos, Penfro, Deugleddyf, Emlyn and cantref Gwarthaf