Dinas Mawddwy
Dinas Mawddwy | |
---|---|
A view across the town of Dinas Mawddwy | |
Location within Gwynedd | |
Population | 622 (2011) |
OS grid reference | SH857148 |
Community | |
Principal area | |
Country | Wales |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | MACHYNLLETH |
Postcode district | SY20 |
Dialling code | 01650 |
Police | North Wales |
Fire | North Wales |
Ambulance | Welsh |
Dwyfor Meirionnydd | |
Dinas Mawddwy (Welsh pronunciation:
Geography
Dinas Mawddwy stands at the confluence of three rivers. The
Early history
Iron Age
There are thought to be two Iron Age fortifications in the immediate vicinity of Dinas Mawddwy. One is on the top of Moel Benddin, where a low depression forms the supposed site. The second fortification was in C'aer-bryn field, to the south of the Buckley Arms Hotel, which still had stonework in place in the late 18th century.[1]
Medieval period
The Ancient borough of Mawddwy was the only remaining part of the Kingdom of Powys still ruled by members of the native "royal family" (of Powys Wenwynwyn) after 1309. On the division of the realm in 1293, Mawddwy had been awarded to William de la Pole (of Mawddwy) and his descendants. The ruling family in Mawddwy would expire in the male line in 1414.
Dinas Mawddwy was the seat of the borough of Mawddwy and received its charter in 1394;
The Red Bandits of Mawddwy
In the 16th century, the Mawddwy area was home to a band of highway robbers and bandits named the '
Transport and industry
The town was served by the standard gauge Mawddwy Railway which connected with the Cambrian Railways at Cemmes Road railway station. Dinas Mawddwy was the northern terminus of the railway, which was built to serve the slate quarries at Minllyn and Aberangell and to provide passenger services along the upper Dyfi valley. The railway opened in 1867 and ran passenger services until 1 January 1931.[5] It closed completely in September 1950 after heavy flooding of the River Dyfi damaged the railway bridge north of Cemmes Road railway station. The line was officially closed on 1 July 1951.[6] The track was lifted early in 1952.[7]
Between 1975 and 1977, the 2 ft (610 mm) gauge Meirion Mill Railway ran from Meirion Mill on the site of Dinas Mawddwy station for about a mile south towards Aberangell.[8]
Lords of Mawddwy
From around 1500, the Lordship of Mawddwy was held by members of the Mytton family.
The Lord of Mawddwy was empowered to hold a Court leet. This medieval judicial system continued in active use as late as 1914.[11] In 1891 the following notice of the twice annual court was posted in Dolgellau:
- NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that the COURT LEET Court Baron and View of Frankpledge of and for the above Manor and for the City and Borough of Dinas Mawddwy for Michaelmas 1891 will be held at the Buckley Arms Hotel Dinas Mawddwy on Thursday the 19th day of November next at One o clock in the Afternoon where and when all Jurors Constables Homagers and others who owe suit and service are required to attend WR DAVIES, Dolgelley, Oct. 31st 1891[1]
Notable residents
- Robert Vaughn (1836–1918), a Welsh immigrant to the US state of Montana, rancher, farmer and businessman
- Dinas Mawddwy is the home of the 1996 British Rally Championship winner Gwyndaf Evans and his son Elfyn Evans, winner of both Wales WRC Rally GB 2017 and Swedish WRC Rally 2020.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d Ashton, Charles (1892). A Guide to Dinas Mawddwy. Machynlleth: J. J. Gibson.
- ^ Phillips, Richard (1810). Collection of Modern and Contemporary Voyages and Travels, Volume 1. R. Phillips.
- ^ J. Beverley Smith; Llinos Beverley Smith (1 November 2001). History of Merioneth II: The Middle Ages. University of Wales Press.
- ^ "Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy ('The Red Bandits of Mawddwy')". Snowdonia National Park. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
- ^ "Railways to Close". Belfast News-Letter. 15 December 1930.
- ^ Passengers No More by G.Daniels and L.Dench first edition page 41
- ISBN 0-85361-626-4.
- ^ Quine, Dan (November 2016). "Trixie and the Meirion Mill Railway". Narrow Gauge World.
- ^ Bindoff, S.T. (1982). Mytton, Richard (1500/1-91), of Shrewsbury and Halston, Salop and Dinas Mawddwy, Merion The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1509-1558.
- ^ "The Manor of Mawddwy". Cambrian News. July 1869.
- ^ "Manor of Mawddwy". Cambrian News. 6 February 1914.
- ^ Parri, Ian. Placid haven with a wicked secret Liverpool Daily Post, 24 Jan 2005
External links
- www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Dinas Mawddwy and surrounding area
- "Dinas Mawddwy". Disused Stations: Closed Stations in the UK. Retrieved 18 November 2012.