Commote

Information about Commote

A cwmwd (Welsh plural cymydau, less frequently cymydoedd[1]), sometimes spelt in older documents as cymwd and known in English as commote, was a secular division of land in Medieval Wales. The word derives from the prefix cym- ("together", "with") and the noun bod ("home, abode").[2] The English word "commote" is derived from the Middle Welsh cymwt[3].

Medieval Welsh land organization

The basic unit of land was the tref - a small village or settlement. In theory, 100 trefi made up a cantref (literally, "one hundred settlements"), and half or a third of a cantref was a cwmwd although in practice the actual numbers varied greatly. The plural of cantref is cantrefi. Together with the cantrefi, cymydau were the geographical divisions through which defence and justice were organised. In charge of a cwmwd would be a chieftain probably related to the ruling Prince of the Kingdom. His court would have been situated in a special tref, referred to as a "maerdref". Here the bonded villagers who farmed the chieftain's estate lived, together with the court officials and servants.[4] Cymydau were further divided into maenorau or maenolydd.

Cymydau in the Domesday Book

The Domesday book has entries for those cymydau that in 1086 were under Norman control, but still subject to Welsh law and custom. However it refers to them using the Anglo-Norman word "commot" instead of "hundred", the word used at the time for the equivalent land division in England. The commotes mentioned in the Domesday book, in general, represented recent Anglo-Norman advances into Welsh territory. Although the commotes were assessed for military service and taxation, their obligations were rated in carucate (derived from Latin for cattle or oxen), not in hides as on the English side of the border.

The customs of the commotes are described in the Domesday accounts of the border earldoms of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire. The principal commotes described in Doomsday book were Archenfield, Ewias, and the commotes of Gwent in the south; Cynllaith, Edeirnion, and Iâl (Shropshire accounts); and Englefield, Rhos and Rhufoniog (Cheshire accounts).

History

In legal usage, the English word 'commote' replaced 'cwmwd' following the Edwardian conquest of Wales in the 13th century when English was made the official language for all legal documents. The Welsh, most of whom knew not a word of English, naturally continued to use 'cwmwd' and still do so today. In much of Wales commotes had become more important than the cantrefs by the mid-13th Century and administration of Welsh law became the responsibility of the commote court rather than the cantref court. Owain Glyndŵr called representatives from the commotes for his two parliaments during the rising of 1400-1409.

List of commotes, organised by cantref

The Red Book of Hergest (1375-1425) provides a detailed list of cymydau in the late 14th and early 15th century.[5] The list has some overlaps and is ambiguous in parts, especially in the Gwynedd section. It should also be borne in mind that the number and organisation of the cymydau was different in the earlier Middle Ages; some of the units and divisions listed here are late creations. The original orthography of the manuscript is given here together with the standard modern Welsh equivalents.

Gwynedd

  • Cantref Tegigyl (Cantref Tegeingl):
  • Kymwt Insel (Cwmwd Insel)
  • Kymwt Prestan (Cwmwd Prestatyn)
  • Kymwt Rudlan (Cwmwd Rhuddlan)
  • Cantref Dyffryn Clwyt (Cantref Dyffryn Clwyd):
  • Kymwt Colyan (Cwmwd Colian)
  • Kymwt Llannerch (Cwmwd Llannerch)
  • Kymwt Ystrat (Cwmwd Ystrad)
  • Cantref Rywynyawc (Cantref Rhufoniog)
  • Kymwt Rhuthyn (Cwmwd Rhuthyn)
  • Kymwt Uch Alech (Cwmwd Uwch Aled)
  • Kymwt Is Alech (Cwmwd Is Aled)
  • Cantref Rhos
  • Kymwt Uch Dulas (Cwmwd Uwch Dulas)
  • Kymwt Is Dulas (Cwmwd Is Dulas)
  • Kymwt Y kreudyn (Cwmwd y Creuddyn
  • Cantrefoed Mon (Anglesey)
  • Kymwt Llan Uaes (Cwmwd Llan-faes
  • Kymwt Kemeis Cwmwd Cemais
  • Kymwt Talebolyon (Cwmwd Talebolyon)
  • Kymwt Aberffraw (Cwmwd Aberffraw)
  • Kymwt Penn Rhos (Cwmwd Penrhos)
  • Kymwt Rosvyrr (Cwmwd Rhosyr)
  • Cantref Arllechwed (Cantref Arllechwedd)
  • Kymwt Treffryw (Cwmwd Trefriw)
  • Kymwt Aber (Cwmwd Aber)
  • Cantref Aruon (Cantref Arfon)
  • Kymwt Uch Konwy (Cwmwd Uwch Conwy)
  • Kymwt Is Conwy (Cwmwd Is Conwy)
  • Cantref Dinodyn
  • Kymwt Rifnot
  • Kymwt Ardudwy (Cwmwd Ardudwy)
  • Cantref Llyyn (Cantref Llŷn)
  • Kymwt Dinmael (Cwmwd Dinmael)
  • Kymwt is Clogyon (Cwmwd Is Clogion
  • Kymwt Cwmdinam (Cwmwd Cwm Dinam)
  • Cantref Meiryonyd (Cantref Meirionnydd)
  • Kymwt Eftumaneyr (Cwmwd Ystumaner)
  • Kymwt Talybont (Cwmwd Tal-y-bont)
  • Cantref Eryri
  • Kymwt Cyueilawc (Cwmwd Cyfeiliog)
  • Kymwt Madeu
  • Kymwt Uch Meloch
  • Kymwt Is Meloch
  • Kymwt Llan Gonwy (Cwmwd Llangonwy)
  • Kymwt Dinmael (Cwmwd Dinmael)
  • Kymwt Glyndyudwy (Cwmwd Glyndyfrdwy)

Powys

  • Cantrefoed Powys Madawc
  • Kymwt Iaal
  • Kymwt Ystrad Alun
  • Kymwt Yr Hop
  • Kymwt Berford
  • Kymwt Wnknan
  • Kymwt Trefwenn
  • Kymwt Croesosswallt
  • Kymwt y Creudyn
  • Kymwt Nant Odyn
  • Kymwt Ceuenbleid
  • Kymwt Uch Raeadyr
  • Cantrefoed Powys Gwennwynwyn
  • Kymwt Is Raeadyr
  • Kymwt Deu Dyswr
  • Kymwt Llannerchwdwl
  • Kymwt Ystrad Marchell
  • Kymwt Mecheyn
  • Kymwt Caer Einon
  • Kymwt Uch Affes
  • Kymwt Is Affes
  • Kymwt Uch Coet
  • Kymwt Is Coet

Maelienydd

  • Cantrefoed Maelenyd
  • Kymwt Ceri
  • Kymwt Gwerthrynnyon
  • Kymwt Swyd Uudugre
  • Kymwt Swyd Yethon
  • Kymwt Llwythyfnwc

Buellt

  • Cantref Buellt
  • Kymwt Penn Buellt (Cwmwd Pen Buellt)
  • Kymwt Swydman (Cwmwd Swyddfan(?) : Cwmwd Dinan)
  • Kymwt Treflys (Cwmwd Treflys)
  • Kymwt Is Iruon (Cwmwd Is Irfon)

Elfael

  • Cantref Eluael (Cantref Elfael)
  • Kymwt Uch Mynyd (Cwmwd Uwch Mynydd)
  • Kymwt Is Mynyd (Cwmwd Is Mynyd)

Brecheinawc (Brycheiniog)

  • Cantref Selyf
  • Kymwt Brwynllys (Cwmwd Brwynllys)
  • Kymwt Talgarth (Cwmwd Talgarth)
  • Cantref Tewdos
  • Kymwt Dyffryn Hodni (Cwmwd Dyffryn Hoddni)
  • Kymwt Llywel (Cwmwd Llys Hywel)
  • Kymwt Tir Rawlf (Cwmwd Tir Rawlff)
  • Cantref Ida
  • Kymwt Ystrat Yw (Cwmwd Ystrad Yw)
  • Kymwt Cruc Howel (Cwmwd Crughywel)
  • Kymwt Evyas (Cwmwd Euyas)

Ystrad Tywi

  • Cantref Bychan
  • Kymwt Hirvryn
  • Kymwt Perued
  • Kymwt Iskennen
  • Cantref Eginawc
  • Kymwt Kedweli
  • Kymwt Carnywyllawn
  • Kymwt Gwhyr
  • Cantref Mawr
  • Kymwt Mallaen
  • Kymwt Caeaw
  • Kymwt Maenawr Deilaw
  • Kymwt Cetheinawc
  • Kymwt Mab Eluyw
  • Kymwt Mab Utryt
  • Kymwt Widigada

Ceredigyawn (Ceredigion)

  • Cantref Gwarthaf
  • Kymwt Geneurglyn (Cwmwd Genau'r Glyn)
  • Kymwt perued (Cwmwd Perfedd)
  • Kymwt Creudyn (Cwmwd Creuddyn)
  • Cantref Mabwynyon (Cantref Mabwnion)
  • Kymwt Meuenyd (Cwmwd Mefenydd)
  • Kymwt Anhunyawc (Cwmwd Anhuniog)
  • Kymwt Pennard (Cwmwd Penardd)
  • Cantref Caer Wedros (Cantref Caerwedros)
  • Kymwt Wenyionid (Cwmwd Gwinionydd)
  • Kymwt Is Coed (Cwmwd Is Coed)

Dyfed

  • Cantref Cemeis (Cemais)
  • Kymwt Is Neuer (Cemais Is Nyfer)
  • Kymwt Uch Neuer (Cemais Uwch Nyfer)
  • Cantref Deugledyf (Daugleddyf)
  • Kymwt Castel Hu (Castell Gwis)
  • Kymwt Llan y Hadein (Llanhuadain)
  • Cantref Emlyn
  • Kymwt Is Cuch (Emlyn Is Cuch)
  • Kymwt Uch Cuch (Emlyn Uwch Cuch)
  • Cantref Wartha (Gwarthaf)
  • Kymwt Amgoet (Amgoed)
  • Kymwt Derllys (Derllys)
  • Kymwt y Uelfre (Efelfre)
  • Kymwt Eluyd (Elfed)
  • Kymwt Pennryn (Penrhyn)
  • Kymwt Peluneawc (Peuliniog)
  • Kymwt Talacharn (Talacharn)
  • Kymwt Estyrlwyf (Ystlwys)
  • Cantref Pebideawc (Pebidiog)
  • Kymwt Menew (Mynyw)
  • Kymwt Penncaer (Pencaer)
  • Cantref Pennbrwc (Penfro (cantref))
  • Coedrath
  • Penfro
  • Cantref Rhos (Rhos)
  • Kymwt Castell Gwalchmei (Castell Gwalchmei)
  • Kymwt Hawlfford (Hwlffordd)

Morgannwg

  • Cantref Gorvynyd
  • Kymwt Rwng Net A Thawy
  • Kymwt Tir Yr Hwndryt
  • Kymwt Rwng Neth ac Avyn
  • Kymwt Tir Yr Iarll
  • Kymwt Y Coety
  • Kymwt Maenawr Glyn Ogwr
  • Cantref Penn Ychen
  • Kymwt Meisgyn
  • Kymwt Glyn Rodne
  • Kymwt Maenawr Tal y Vann
  • Kymwt Maenawr Ruthyn
  • Cantref Breinyawl
  • Kymwt Is Caech
  • Kymwt Uch Caech
  • Kymwt Kibwr
  • Cantref Gwynllwc
  • Kymwt Yr Heid
  • Kymwt Ydref Berued
  • Kymwt Edelygyon
  • Kymwt Eithyaf
  • Kymwt Y Mynyd
  • Cantref Gwent
  • Kymwt Is Coed
  • Kymwt Llemynyd
  • Kymwt Tref y Gruc
  • Kymwt Uch Coed

References

1. ^ Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru (University of Wales Dictionary), p. 643
2. ^ Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru, p. 643
3. ^ Brown, Lesley (ed), "New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary", Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1993 ISBN 0-19-861134-X
4. ^ "The Welsh People" by John Rhys and David Brynmor-Jones, T. Fisher Unwin, pub, London, 1906, p. 401-2 [1]
5. ^ J. Gwenogvryn Evans (ed.), The Text of The Bruts from the Red book of Hergest (Oxford, 1890), pp. 407-412

See also

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Contemporary
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Historical
Agency Barony Burgh Cantref City-State Commote Free Imperial City Hundred Imperial Circle Imperial province March Pargana Presidency Residency Riding Rural district Sanitary district (rural urban) Urban district Viscounty Viscountcy Boldface indicates a type used by ten or more countries; loanwords in italics.
Welsh}}} 
Writing system: Latin alphabet (Welsh variant) 
Official status
Official language of: Wales (de facto)
Regulated by: no official regulation
Language codes
ISO 639-1: cy
ISO 639-2: wel (B) 
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Secularity (adjective form secular) is the state of being separate from religion.[1] For instance, eating and bathing may be regarded as examples of secular activities, because there is nothing inherently religious about them.
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Middle Ages form the middle period in a traditional schematic division of European history into three "ages": the classical civilization of Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Modern Times.
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Motto
Cymru am byth   (Welsh)
"Wales forever"
Anthem
"Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"
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bagel : a ring-shaped bread roll made by boiling then baking the dough (from בײגל beygl) (OED, MW )
  • blintz : a sweet cheese-filled crepe (Yiddish בלינצע blintse) ( AHD )
  • bris
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    • A Cantref (IPA: [ˈka:ntrɛ(v)]) was a medieval Welsh land division, particularly important in the administration of Welsh law.
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    Domesday Book (also known as Domesday, or Book of Winchester) was the record of the great survey of England completed in 1086, executed for William I of England. The survey was similar to a census by a government of today.
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    10th century - 11st century - 12nd century
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    1083 1084 1085 - 1086 - 1087 1088 1089

    Lists of leaders
    State leaders - Sovereign states

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    Normans were a people from medieval northern France, deriving to a large extent their aristocratic origins from Scandinavia (the name is adapted from the name "Northmen" or "Norsemen").
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    Motto
    Dieu et mon droit   (French)
    "God and my right"
    Anthem
    No official anthem specific to England — the anthem of the United Kingdom is "God Save the Queen".
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    Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the conquest by William of Normandy in 1066, although some Normans were already in England before the conquest.
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    The carucate was a unit of assessment for tax found in most of the Danelaw counties of England. The word derives from caruca, Latin for a plough. It is analogous to the hide, the measurement of land for tax assessment used outside the Danelaw counties.
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      Gloucestershire (pronounced [ˈglɒstəʃə]; GLOSS-ter-sher) is a county in South West England.
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      Herefordshire (pronounced ['herəfədʃə]) is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. It also forms a unitary district known as the County of Herefordshire.
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      Shropshire
      Motto: “Floreat Salopia” (“May Shropshire flourish”)

      Geography
      Status Ceremonial & (smaller) Non-metropolitan county
      Origin Historic
      Region West Midlands
      Area
      - Total
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      prevew not available
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      For the preceding Welsh kingdom, see Ergyng
      Archenfield is the English name for an area of western Herefordshire in England. It is known, in Welsh, as Ergyng.
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      Gwent was one of the kingdoms or principalities of mediæval Wales, in the Welsh Marches.

      Emergence

      The area has been occupied since the Paleolithic, with Mesolithic finds at Goldcliff and growing activity during the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Roman period.
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      Cynllaith was a cantref of north east Wales which was usually part of the Kingdom of Powys and later part of the smaller Kingdom of Powys Fadog. Cynllaith, or at least part of it called Cynlaith Owain was part of the inheritance of Owain Glyndŵr in 1370.
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      Llanarmon-yn-Iâl is a small pretty village in Denbighshire, North Wales. It sits on the B5431 road. The village has a lovely church and also a lovely old shop. It also has a popular pub called the raven.
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      Englefield may refer to:
      • Englefield, a village in the county of Berkshire, England.
      • An alternative name for the Cantref of Tegeingl in north Wales, making up the main part of the historic county of Flintshire and very roughly equivalent to the modern county of

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      Rhos means 'moor' or 'moorland' in Welsh. It is a region of the Denbigh Moors (or Mynydd Hiraethog), formerly a cantref of Denbighshire in north Wales.

      Kingdom: history and archaeology


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      Rhufoniog was a small sub-kingdom of the Kingdom of Gwynedd and later a cantref in medieval Wales. It was ruled by Rhufon, the third son of the first King of Gwynedd, Cunedda, and his direct descendants from the year 445 until the year 540 when it was likely absorbed back into
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      prevew not available
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      As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. In the history of European culture, this period is considered part of the High Middle Ages, and after its conquests in Asia the Mongol Empire stretched from Korea to
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      Welsh law, the law of Wales, was traditionally first codified by Hywel Dda ("Hywel the Good") during the period between 942 and 950 when he was king of most of Wales. In Welsh it is usually called Cyfraith Hywel, the Law of Hywel.
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      The Red Book of Hergest (Welsh: Llyfr Coch Hergest) is one of the most important medieval Welsh manuscripts. It includes both prose and poetry and was written around 1382-1410.
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      Gwynedd (pr. /'gwɪnɛğ/) was one of the kingdoms or principalities of medieval Wales. Traditionally covering an area between the rivers Dyfi and Dee in the north-west of the country around Snowdonia (Welsh: Eryri) and
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      Rhos means 'moor' or 'moorland' in Welsh. It is a region of the Denbigh Moors (or Mynydd Hiraethog), formerly a cantref of Denbighshire in north Wales.

      Kingdom: history and archaeology


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      Anglesey (historically Anglesea; Welsh: Ynys Môn, pronounced /ˌənɨ̞s'mo:n/
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