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{{Short description|Historic county of Wales}} |
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{{use Welsh English|date=August 2019}} |
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{{Redirect2|County of Montgomery|County Montgomery|other counties|Montgomery County (disambiguation)}} |
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{{use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} |
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{{short description|historic county of Wales}} |
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{{Redirect2|County of Montgomery|County Montgomery|other places named as such|Montgomery County (disambiguation)}} |
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{{Other uses}} |
{{Other uses}} |
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{{Use British English|date=August 2019}} |
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{{infobox historic subdivision| |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} |
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|Name= Montgomeryshire<br>{{lang-cy|Sir Drefaldwyn}} |
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{{Infobox historic subdivision| |
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|HQ= [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]] |
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| Name = Montgomeryshire |
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|Government= Montgomeryshire County Council (1889–1974)<br>Montgomeryshire District Council (1974–1996) |
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| native_name = {{native name|cy|Sir Drefaldwyn}} |
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| HQ = [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]] |
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| Government = Montgomeryshire County Council (1889–1974)<br>Montgomeryshire District Council (1974–1996) |
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|Start= |
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| Origin = |
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| Status = |
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| Start = |
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| End = |
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| Code = MGY |
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| CodeName = [[Chapman code]] |
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| Replace = [[Powys]] |
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|DivisionsNames= |
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| Motto = |
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|DivisionsMap= |
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| Divisions = |
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|Image= [[File:Montgomery Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 98025.jpg|300px|border]] |
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| DivisionsNames = |
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|image_caption = Broad Street and town hall in Montgomery (2001) |
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| DivisionsMap = |
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|Map= [[File:WalesMontgomeryshireTrad.png]]<br>''Ancient extent of Montgomeryshire'' |
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| Image = [[File:Montgomery Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 98025.jpg|300px|border]] |
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|Arms= |
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| image_caption = Broad Street and [[Montgomery Town Hall]] (2001) |
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| Map = {{Switcher |
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|PopulationFirst= 66,482<ref name=census_1831>Vision of Britain – [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/census/table_page.jsp?tab_id=GB1831ABS_M%5B1%5D&u_id=10001043&show=DB&min_c=11&max_c=15 1831 Census]</ref> |
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| [[File:Wales Historic Counties map Montgomeryshire.svg|250px|Montgomeryshire shown within Wales]] |
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|PopulationFirstYear= 1831 |
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| Show location in Wales |
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|AreaFirst= {{convert|483323|acre|km2}} |
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| [[File:Montgomeryshire Brit Isles Sect 5.svg|250px|Montgomeryshire shown within England and Wales]] |
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|AreaFirstYear= 1831 |
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| Show location in England and Wales |
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|DensityFirst= 0.1/acre |
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| [[File:Montgomeryshire - British Isles.svg|250px|Montgomeryshire shown within the United Kingdom]] |
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|DensityFirstYear= 1831 |
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| Show location in the United Kingdom |
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|PopulationSecond= 63,779 |
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}} |
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|PopulationSecondYear= 2011 |
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| Arms = |
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| Civic = |
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| PopulationFirst = 66,482<ref name=census_1831>Vision of Britain – [http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/census/table_page.jsp?tab_id=GB1831ABS_M%5B1%5D&u_id=10001043&show=DB&min_c=11&max_c=15 1831 Census]</ref> |
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|DensitySecond= |
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| PopulationFirstYear = 1831 |
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|DensitySecondYear= |
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| AreaFirst = {{convert|483323|acre|km2}} |
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|PopulationLast= |
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| AreaFirstYear = 1831 |
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| DensityFirst = 0.1/acre |
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| DensityFirstYear = 1831 |
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<!-- | PopulationSecond = 63,779 |
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| PopulationSecondYear = 2011 |
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| AreaSecond = {{convert|537000|acre|km2}} |
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| AreaSecondYear = 2011 --><!-- Per [[WP:UKCOUNTIES]] only details before 1974 should be included. --> |
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'''Montgomeryshire' |
Until 1974, '''Montgomeryshire''' ({{lang-cy|Sir Drefaldwyn}} meaning "the Shire of Baldwin's town") was an [[History of local government in Wales|administrative county]] in mid [[Wales]], later classed as one of the thirteen [[historic counties of Wales]]. It was named after its [[county town]], [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]], which in turn was named after one of [[William the Conqueror]]'s main counsellors, [[Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury|Roger de Montgomerie]], who was the 1st [[Earl of Shrewsbury]]. |
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Montgomeryshire |
The area of what was Montgomeryshire, now constitutes the northern part of the [[Subdivisions of Wales#Principal areas|principal area]] of [[Powys]]. The current area was 2,174 square km (839 square miles). |
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The largest town |
The largest town was [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]], followed by [[Welshpool]] and [[Llanidloes]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Cantrefi.Medieval.Wales.jpg|thumb|right| |
[[File:Cantrefi.Medieval.Wales.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Welsh [[cantref]]s]] |
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The [[Treaty of Montgomery]] was signed on 29 September 1267, in the town of Montgomery, which had recently been established as an English incursion on the Welsh side of the border, to control a strategic border crossing. The surrounding region (on the Welsh side of the border) otherwise comprised the mediaeval principality of [[Powys Wenwynwyn]], the southern of the two states into which the [[Kingdom of Powys]] had been divided a century before. |
The [[Treaty of Montgomery]] was signed on 29 September 1267, in the town of Montgomery, which had recently been established as an English incursion on the Welsh side of the border, to control a strategic border crossing. The surrounding region (on the Welsh side of the border) otherwise comprised the mediaeval principality of [[Powys Wenwynwyn]], the southern of the two states into which the [[Kingdom of Powys]] had been divided a century before. |
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Attacks by [[Gwynedd]] on Powys Wenwynwyn led the latter to seek the assistance of the English. Ultimately this led them to convert their territory into a [[marcher lordship]], via ''[[surrender and regrant]]'', as a way to strengthen their position; the ruling princes of Powys Wenwynwyn became the ''Lords of Powys'', feudally bound to the English king, and able to fully rely on English backing, but otherwise independent. The prince took an English-style surname - Owen de-la Pole - after his capital city, Pool (now [[Welshpool]]). |
Attacks by [[Gwynedd]] on Powys Wenwynwyn led the latter to seek the assistance of the English. Ultimately this led them to convert their territory into a [[marcher lordship]], via ''[[surrender and regrant]]'', as a way to strengthen their position; the ruling princes of Powys Wenwynwyn became the ''Lords of Powys'', feudally bound to the English king, and able to fully rely on English backing, but otherwise independent. The prince took an English-style surname - Owen de-la Pole - after his capital city, Pool (now [[Welshpool]]). |
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With the introduction of the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542]] the marcher lordships were converted into English counties. The Lordship of Powys |
With the introduction of the [[Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542]] the marcher lordships were converted into English counties. The Lordship of Powys – the former Powys Wenwynwyn – became Montgomeryshire; the county town being Montgomery, the strongest centre of English authority in the region, rather than centre of Welsh authority, Welshpool. Montgomeryshire was thus ultimately formed from the ''[[cantref]]i'' of Powys Wenwynwyn:<ref name=Cathrall>{{cite book|last1=Cathrall|first1=William|title=The History of North Wales Volume II|date=1828|location=Manchester|page=290}}</ref> |
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* [[Mechain|Y Fyrnwy]] ([[commote]]s of [[Mochnant]] Uwch Rhaeadr, [[Mechain]] Is Coed and Llanerch Hudol) |
* [[Mechain|Y Fyrnwy]] ([[commote]]s of [[Mochnant]] Uwch Rhaeadr, [[Mechain]] Is Coed and Llanerch Hudol) |
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* |
* Llyswynaf (commotes of [[Caereinion]] and [[Mechain]] Uwch Coed) |
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* [[Ystlyg]] (commotes of [[Deuddwr]], [[Ystrad Marchell]] and [[Y Gorddwr|Y Gorddwr Isaf]]) |
* [[Ystlyg]] (commotes of [[Deuddwr]], [[Ystrad Marchell]] and [[Y Gorddwr|Y Gorddwr Isaf]]) |
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* [[Cedewain]] (commotes of [[Cynan]], [[Cyfeiliog]] and [[Mawddwy]]) |
* [[Cedewain]] (commotes of [[Cynan]], [[Cyfeiliog]] and [[Mawddwy]]) |
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* [[Arwystli]] (commotes of Arwystli Is Coed and Arwystli Uwch Coed) |
* [[Arwystli]] (commotes of Arwystli Is Coed and Arwystli Uwch Coed) |
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In addition, for practical reasons, Montgomeryshire gained the commote of [[Kerry, Powys|Ceri]], which had formed a northwards spur of the less organised [[Rhwng Gwy a Hafren| |
In addition, for practical reasons, Montgomeryshire gained the commote of [[Kerry, Powys|Ceri]], which had formed a northwards spur of the less organised region [[Rhwng Gwy a Hafren|Between Wye and Severn]]; most of the rest of the latter region became [[Radnorshire]]. |
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Montgomeryshire was bordered, to the north, by [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]], to the east and south east by [[Shropshire]], to the south by [[Radnorshire]], to the south west by [[Ceredigion|Cardiganshire]], and to the west and north west by [[Merionethshire]]. When, in subsequent centuries, the concept of ''Wales'' was once again officially distinguished from ''England'', all of these counties were deemed ''Welsh'', except for Shropshire. |
Montgomeryshire was bordered, to the north, by [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]], to the east and south east by [[Shropshire]], to the south by [[Radnorshire]], to the south west by [[Ceredigion|Cardiganshire]], and to the west and north west by [[Merionethshire]]. When, in subsequent centuries, the concept of ''Wales'' was once again officially distinguished from ''England'', all of these counties were deemed ''Welsh'', except for Shropshire. |
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Montgomeryshire was the birthplace of Welsh Catholic martyr [[Saint Richard Gwyn]] (in 1537). |
Montgomeryshire was the birthplace of Welsh Catholic martyr [[Saint Richard Gwyn]] (in 1537). |
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===Local government=== |
===Local government=== |
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{{See also|Townships in Montgomeryshire}} |
{{See also|Townships in Montgomeryshire}} |
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[[File:Council offices Welshpool (geograph 3183899).jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Neuadd Maldwyn]] in [[Welshpool]]]] |
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Elected county councils were established in [[Montgomeryshire County Council election, 1889|1889]] under the [[Local Government Act 1888]] to take over the local government functions previously exercised by the [[Court of quarter sessions|quarter sessions]]. Although the county was named after [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]], by 1889 the quarter sessions were instead held at both [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]] and [[Welshpool]], and the new county council chose to continue meeting in both towns in its early years.<ref>''National Gazetteer of Wales, 1868.''</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Welsh items |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3301898/3301902/24/ |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Aberystwith Observer |publisher=National Library of Wales |date=9 February 1889 |location=Aberystwyth |page=4}}</ref> Montgomeryshire County Council held its first formal meeting on 1 April 1889 at the Public Rooms (also known as the Flannel Exchange) in Newtown.<ref>{{cite news |title=North Wales County Councils: First Meetings - Montgomeryshire |url=https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3765750/3765757/78/ |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald |date=5 April 1889 |publisher=National Library of Wales |location=Caernarfon |page=7}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Flannel Exchange |url=https://newtown.org.uk/discover-newtown/newtown-heritage-trail/the-flannel-exchange |website=Discover Newtown |publisher=Newtown Town Council |access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref> |
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From [[Montgomeryshire County Council election, 1889|1889]] to 1974 the county became an [[History of local government in Wales#Administrative Counties|administrative county]] with a [[Montgomeryshire County Council|county council]]. [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]], the traditional county town, held the assizes and became the meeting place of the new County Council.<ref>Wynford Vaughan-Thomas and Alun Llewelyn, ''The Shell Guide to Wales (''Michael Joseph, London, 1974) p. 339</ref> However, the administration continued to be based at Welshpool,<ref>Vaughan-Thomas and Llewelyn, p. 339</ref> which prior to the reforms had been regarded as the county town.<ref>''[[National Gazetteer of Wales|National Gazetteer of Wales, 1868.]]''</ref> |
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In 1931 the county council opened a new headquarters building in Welshpool, called the Montgomeryshire County Offices or [[Neuadd Maldwyn]]. The county council remained based at Neuadd Maldwyn until its abolition in 1974.<ref>Vaughan-Thomas and Llewelyn, p. 339</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/18782416.welshpools-neuadd-maldwyn-redevelopment-cost-11-6m/|title=Welshpool's Neuadd Maldwyn redevelopment to cost £11.6m|date=9 October 2020|newspaper=Powys County Times|access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> |
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Local government reforms in 1974 combined the administrative areas of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and [[Breconshire]] together to form a new administrative [[Powys]] county. Montgomeryshire [[District of Montgomeryshire|became a district]] of Powys, with its administrative headquarters in [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]] (and not Montgomery). Further local government reform in 1996 abolished district councils in Wales, making Powys a [[unitary authority]]. The Montgomeryshire area continues to have an administrative/political function as one of the three [[Area committee|committee areas]] used by [[Powys County Council|Powys Council]], along with the other two historic counties (Radnorshire and Breconshire). These three areas are often referred to by the county council as "shires". |
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Until 1974, Montgomeryshire was divided into [[civil parish]]es for the purpose of local government; these in large part equated to [[parish|ecclesiastical parishes]] (see the table below), most of which still exist as part of the Church in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|title=GENUKI: Montgomeryshire Towns and Parishes|url=https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/MGY/indexpars|access-date=28 September 2024}}</ref> |
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The few communities that were added to northern Powys in 1996 (which come within the historic boundaries of Denbighshire) now form part of the modern-day Montgomeryshire area. |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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===Electoral representation=== |
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!Hundred |
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Montgomeryshire is a [[Montgomeryshire (UK Parliament constituency)|UK Parliament constituency]] and a [[Montgomeryshire (Assembly constituency)|Welsh Assembly constituency]]. |
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!Parishes |
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!Cawrse |
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|''[[Criggion]]''<sup>1</sup> • [[Forden]] |
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!Deythur |
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|[[Llandrinio]] • [[Llandysilio]] • [[Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain|Llansanffraid-ym-Mechain]] |
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|- |
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!Llanfyllin |
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|Hirnant • [[Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa]] • [[Llanfyllin]] • [[Llangynog]] • ''[[Llanwddyn]]''<sup>2</sup> • [[Meifod]] • [[Pennant Melangell|Pennant-melangell]] |
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|- |
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!Llanidloes |
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|[[Carno]] • [[Llandinam]] • [[Llangurig]] • [[Llanidloes]] • [[Llanwnnog]] • [[Penstrowed]] • [[Trefeglwys]] |
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|- |
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!Machynlleth |
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|[[Cemmaes|Cemais]] • Darowen • [[Llanbrynmair]] • [[Llanwrin]] • [[Machynlleth]] • [[Penegoes]] |
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|- |
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!Mathrafal |
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|[[Castle Caereinion]] • Garthbeibio • [[Llanerfyl]] • [[Llanfair Caereinion]] • [[Llangadfan]] • [[Llangynyw]] |
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!Montgomery |
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|[[Church Stoke|Churchstoke]] • [[Hyssington]] • [[Kerry, Powys|Kerry]] • [[Mochdre, Powys|Mochdre]] • [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]] • [[Snead, Powys|Snead]] |
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|- |
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!Newtown |
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|[[Aberhafesp]] • [[Bettws Cedewain|Betws Cedewain]] • [[Berriew]] • [[Llandyssil]] • Llanllugan • [[Llanllwchaiarn|Llanllwchaearn]] • [[Llanmerewig]] • Llanwyddelan • [[Manafon]] • [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]] • [[Tregynon]] |
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|- |
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!Pool |
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|[[Buttington]] • [[Guilsfield]] • [[Llanfechain]] • [[Welshpool]] |
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|} |
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<sup>1</sup>a chapelry to [[Alberbury]] in Shropshire <sup>2</sup>a chapelry to [[Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant]] in Denbighshire |
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Local government reforms in 1974 combined the administrative areas of Montgomeryshire, [[Radnorshire]] and [[Brecknockshire]] together to form a new administrative county called [[Powys]]. A new [[district of Montgomeryshire]] was established as a lower-tier district authority within Powys, with the district's area matching the former administrative county. The district council took over Neuadd Maldwyn in Welshpool to serve as its headquarters, and also retained the former offices of the abolished [[Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn]] [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|Urban District Council]] at Newtown Hall Park as an area office.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=47656|page=11786|date=3 October 1978}}</ref> |
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Further local government reform in 1996 abolished district councils in Wales, making Powys a [[unitary authority]]. From 1996 until 2018 [[Powys County Council]] had a Montgomeryshire [[area committee]] covering the former Montgomeryshire district plus three communities formerly in the [[Glyndŵr]] district of [[Clwyd]] (historically [[Denbighshire]]) which were transferred to Powys in 1996.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government (Wales) Act 1994|year=1994|chapter=19|accessdate=29 September 2022}}</ref> The three area committees for the former counties were abolished in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hearn |first1=Elgan |title=Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire abolished as shire committees are consigned to history |url=https://www.countytimes.co.uk/news/15913947.montgomeryshire-radnorshire-brecknockshire-abolished-shire-committees-consigned-history/ |access-date=29 September 2022 |work=Powys County Times |date=1 February 2018}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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The |
The area of what was Montogmeryshire was almost wholly mountainous, although there are some fertile valleys in the east. The highest point (county top) was [[Moel Sych]] at {{convert|826.7|m|ft}}, whose summit lies at the triple county boundary point of Montgomeryshire, Denbighshire and Merionethshire in the [[Berwyn range|Berwyn Mountains]]. The county top of Denbighshire, [[Cadair Berwyn]] at {{convert|832|m|ft}}, was less than a kilometre away. Its main rivers were the [[River Severn]] (which flows east into Shropshire) and the [[River Dyfi]] (which flows west into the [[Irish Sea]]). [[Lake Vyrnwy]] is a reservoir supplying [[Liverpool]]. |
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The main towns |
The main towns were [[Machynlleth]], [[Llanidloes]], [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]], [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]] and [[Welshpool]]. The main industries were [[agriculture]] (mainly hill farming) and [[tourism]], though there was also some [[forestry]] and light [[manufacturing]]. The population density was highest near the [[Wales–England border|border with England]] and along the Severn valley. The county was closely linked to [[Shropshire]], with many essential services for Montgomeryshire residents being located in the more densely populated town of [[Shrewsbury]], such as acute health services at the [[Royal Shrewsbury Hospital]]. |
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The county flower of Montgomeryshire |
The county flower of Montgomeryshire remains the ''[[Spergula arvensis]]'' (also called "corn spurrey"). The shire forms a [[Vice-counties|vice-county]] for wildlife recording. |
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==Transport== |
==Transport== |
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Montgomeryshire |
Montgomeryshire was crossed from East to West by the [[Cambrian Line]], a mainline passenger railway which runs between [[Shrewsbury]] and [[Aberystwyth]] as well as [[Pwllheli railway station|Pwllheli]] with stations at [[Welshpool]], [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]], [[Caersws]] and [[Machynlleth]]. |
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The [[Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway]] links Welshpool to [[Llanfair Caereinion]]. |
The [[Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway]] links Welshpool to [[Llanfair Caereinion]]. |
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*[[Meifod]] |
*[[Meifod]] |
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*[[Offa's Dyke]] |
*[[Offa's Dyke]] |
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== Legacy == |
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=== Politics === |
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Montgomeryshire's name is used in the constituencies that represent the same area today: |
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* [[Montgomeryshire (UK Parliament constituency)]], a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom |
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* [[Montgomeryshire (Senedd constituency)]], a constituency of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; {{Lang-cy|Senedd Cymru}}, formerly the National Assembly for Wales). |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[https://wikishire.co.uk/map/#montgomeryshire/base=outline Map of Montgomeryshire] on |
*[https://wikishire.co.uk/map/#montgomeryshire/base=outline Map of Montgomeryshire] on Wikishire |
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{{Montgomeryshire}} |
{{Montgomeryshire}} |
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{{Historic Counties of Wales}} |
{{Historic Counties of Wales}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{coord|52|35|N|3|30|W|display=title|region:GB_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki}} |
{{coord|52|35|N|3|30|W|display=title|region:GB_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki}} |
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[[Category:Montgomeryshire| ]] |
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[[Category:Historic counties of Wales]] |
[[Category:Historic counties of Wales]] |
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[[Category:Montgomeryshire| ]] |
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[[Category:States and territories established in 1535]] |
[[Category:States and territories established in 1535]] |
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[[Category:1535 establishments in England]] |
[[Category:1535 establishments in England]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:01, 28 September 2024
| Montgomeryshire Sir Drefaldwyn (Welsh) | |
|---|---|
 Broad Street and Montgomery Town Hall (2001) | |
| |
| Area | |
| • 1831 | 483,323 acres (1,955.94 km2) |
| Population | |
| • 1831 | 66,482[1] |
| Density | |
| • 1831 | 0.1/acre |
| History | |
| • Succeeded by | Powys |
| Chapman code | MGY |
| Government | Montgomeryshire County Council (1889–1974) Montgomeryshire District Council (1974–1996) |
| • HQ | Montgomery |
Until 1974, Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn meaning "the Shire of Baldwin's town") was an administrative county in mid Wales, later classed as one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales. It was named after its county town, Montgomery, which in turn was named after one of William the Conqueror's main counsellors, Roger de Montgomerie, who was the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury.
The area of what was Montgomeryshire, now constitutes the northern part of the principal area of Powys. The current area was 2,174 square km (839 square miles).
The largest town was Newtown, followed by Welshpool and Llanidloes.
History
[edit]
The Treaty of Montgomery was signed on 29 September 1267, in the town of Montgomery, which had recently been established as an English incursion on the Welsh side of the border, to control a strategic border crossing. The surrounding region (on the Welsh side of the border) otherwise comprised the mediaeval principality of Powys Wenwynwyn, the southern of the two states into which the Kingdom of Powys had been divided a century before.
Attacks by Gwynedd on Powys Wenwynwyn led the latter to seek the assistance of the English. Ultimately this led them to convert their territory into a marcher lordship, via surrender and regrant, as a way to strengthen their position; the ruling princes of Powys Wenwynwyn became the Lords of Powys, feudally bound to the English king, and able to fully rely on English backing, but otherwise independent. The prince took an English-style surname - Owen de-la Pole - after his capital city, Pool (now Welshpool).
With the introduction of the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 the marcher lordships were converted into English counties. The Lordship of Powys – the former Powys Wenwynwyn – became Montgomeryshire; the county town being Montgomery, the strongest centre of English authority in the region, rather than centre of Welsh authority, Welshpool. Montgomeryshire was thus ultimately formed from the cantrefi of Powys Wenwynwyn:[2]
- Y Fyrnwy (commotes of Mochnant Uwch Rhaeadr, Mechain Is Coed and Llanerch Hudol)
- Llyswynaf (commotes of Caereinion and Mechain Uwch Coed)
- Ystlyg (commotes of Deuddwr, Ystrad Marchell and Y Gorddwr Isaf)
- Cedewain (commotes of Cynan, Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy)
- Arwystli (commotes of Arwystli Is Coed and Arwystli Uwch Coed)
In addition, for practical reasons, Montgomeryshire gained the commote of Ceri, which had formed a northwards spur of the less organised region Between Wye and Severn; most of the rest of the latter region became Radnorshire.
Montgomeryshire was bordered, to the north, by Denbighshire, to the east and south east by Shropshire, to the south by Radnorshire, to the south west by Cardiganshire, and to the west and north west by Merionethshire. When, in subsequent centuries, the concept of Wales was once again officially distinguished from England, all of these counties were deemed Welsh, except for Shropshire. Montgomeryshire was the birthplace of Welsh Catholic martyr Saint Richard Gwyn (in 1537).
Local government
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Elected county councils were established in 1889 under the Local Government Act 1888 to take over the local government functions previously exercised by the quarter sessions. Although the county was named after Montgomery, by 1889 the quarter sessions were instead held at both Newtown and Welshpool, and the new county council chose to continue meeting in both towns in its early years.[3][4] Montgomeryshire County Council held its first formal meeting on 1 April 1889 at the Public Rooms (also known as the Flannel Exchange) in Newtown.[5][6]
In 1931 the county council opened a new headquarters building in Welshpool, called the Montgomeryshire County Offices or Neuadd Maldwyn. The county council remained based at Neuadd Maldwyn until its abolition in 1974.[7][8]
Until 1974, Montgomeryshire was divided into civil parishes for the purpose of local government; these in large part equated to ecclesiastical parishes (see the table below), most of which still exist as part of the Church in Wales.[9]
| Hundred | Parishes |
|---|---|
| Cawrse | Criggion1 • Forden |
| Deythur | Llandrinio • Llandysilio • Llansanffraid-ym-Mechain |
| Llanfyllin | Hirnant • Llanfihangel-yng-Ngwynfa • Llanfyllin • Llangynog • Llanwddyn2 • Meifod • Pennant-melangell |
| Llanidloes | Carno • Llandinam • Llangurig • Llanidloes • Llanwnnog • Penstrowed • Trefeglwys |
| Machynlleth | Cemais • Darowen • Llanbrynmair • Llanwrin • Machynlleth • Penegoes |
| Mathrafal | Castle Caereinion • Garthbeibio • Llanerfyl • Llanfair Caereinion • Llangadfan • Llangynyw |
| Montgomery | Churchstoke • Hyssington • Kerry • Mochdre • Montgomery • Snead |
| Newtown | Aberhafesp • Betws Cedewain • Berriew • Llandyssil • Llanllugan • Llanllwchaearn • Llanmerewig • Llanwyddelan • Manafon • Newtown • Tregynon |
| Pool | Buttington • Guilsfield • Llanfechain • Welshpool |
1a chapelry to Alberbury in Shropshire 2a chapelry to Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant in Denbighshire
Local government reforms in 1974 combined the administrative areas of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Brecknockshire together to form a new administrative county called Powys. A new district of Montgomeryshire was established as a lower-tier district authority within Powys, with the district's area matching the former administrative county. The district council took over Neuadd Maldwyn in Welshpool to serve as its headquarters, and also retained the former offices of the abolished Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Urban District Council at Newtown Hall Park as an area office.[10]
Further local government reform in 1996 abolished district councils in Wales, making Powys a unitary authority. From 1996 until 2018 Powys County Council had a Montgomeryshire area committee covering the former Montgomeryshire district plus three communities formerly in the Glyndŵr district of Clwyd (historically Denbighshire) which were transferred to Powys in 1996.[11] The three area committees for the former counties were abolished in 2018.[12]
Geography
[edit]The area of what was Montogmeryshire was almost wholly mountainous, although there are some fertile valleys in the east. The highest point (county top) was Moel Sych at 826.7 metres (2,712 ft), whose summit lies at the triple county boundary point of Montgomeryshire, Denbighshire and Merionethshire in the Berwyn Mountains. The county top of Denbighshire, Cadair Berwyn at 832 metres (2,730 ft), was less than a kilometre away. Its main rivers were the River Severn (which flows east into Shropshire) and the River Dyfi (which flows west into the Irish Sea). Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir supplying Liverpool.
The main towns were Machynlleth, Llanidloes, Montgomery, Newtown and Welshpool. The main industries were agriculture (mainly hill farming) and tourism, though there was also some forestry and light manufacturing. The population density was highest near the border with England and along the Severn valley. The county was closely linked to Shropshire, with many essential services for Montgomeryshire residents being located in the more densely populated town of Shrewsbury, such as acute health services at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
The county flower of Montgomeryshire remains the Spergula arvensis (also called "corn spurrey"). The shire forms a vice-county for wildlife recording.
Transport
[edit]Montgomeryshire was crossed from East to West by the Cambrian Line, a mainline passenger railway which runs between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth as well as Pwllheli with stations at Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws and Machynlleth.
The Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway links Welshpool to Llanfair Caereinion.
Places of special interest
[edit]- Bryntail lead mine buildings near Llanidloes
- Centre for Alternative Technology at Llwyngwern near Machynlleth
- The Museum of Modern Art, Wales (MOMA) in Machynlleth
- Dolforwyn Castle near Abermule
- Montgomery Castle in Montgomery
- The Old Bell Museum in Montgomery
- Powis Castle near Welshpool
- The Robert Owen Museum in Newtown
- Trefeglwys Tumuli
- Mathrafal — the seat of the Welsh kings and princes of Powys
- Meifod
- Offa's Dyke
Legacy
[edit]Politics
[edit]Montgomeryshire's name is used in the constituencies that represent the same area today:
- Montgomeryshire (UK Parliament constituency), a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Montgomeryshire (Senedd constituency), a constituency of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament; Welsh: Senedd Cymru, formerly the National Assembly for Wales).
See also
[edit]- Townships in Montgomeryshire
- Local government in Wales
- History of Wales
- List of Lord Lieutenants of Montgomeryshire
- List of High Sheriffs of Montgomeryshire
References
[edit]- ^ Vision of Britain – 1831 Census
- ^ Cathrall, William (1828). The History of North Wales Volume II. Manchester. p. 290.
- ^ National Gazetteer of Wales, 1868.
- ^ "Welsh items". Aberystwith Observer. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales. 9 February 1889. p. 4. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "North Wales County Councils: First Meetings - Montgomeryshire". Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald. Caernarfon: National Library of Wales. 5 April 1889. p. 7. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "The Flannel Exchange". Discover Newtown. Newtown Town Council. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ Vaughan-Thomas and Llewelyn, p. 339
- ^ "Welshpool's Neuadd Maldwyn redevelopment to cost £11.6m". Powys County Times. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
- ^ "GENUKI: Montgomeryshire Towns and Parishes". Retrieved 28 September 2024.
- ^ "No. 47656". The London Gazette. 3 October 1978. p. 11786.
- ^ "Local Government (Wales) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1994 c. 19, retrieved 29 September 2022
- ^ Hearn, Elgan (1 February 2018). "Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire abolished as shire committees are consigned to history". Powys County Times. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
External links
[edit]- Map of Montgomeryshire on Wikishire
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