Commotes of Medieval Wales: A Detailed List from the Red Book of Hergest

The administrative landscape of medieval Wales was defined by a hierarchical system of land divisions. At the heart of this structure were the cantref (a traditional Welsh land division, typically comprising one hundred townships) and the commote (known in Welsh as cwmwd), which served as smaller administrative subdivisions of the cantref.

Much of our detailed knowledge of these divisions comes from the Red Book of Hergest, a primary manuscript compiled between 1375 and 1425. This document provides an extensive record of the commotes during the late 14th and early 15th centuries. However, historians note that the organization of these units evolved over time; some divisions listed in the manuscript were late creations, and the boundaries in certain regions, particularly Gwynedd, can be ambiguous.

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Key Facts

Primary Source: The Red Book of Hergest (1375–1425).
Administrative Hierarchy: Commotes (Cwmwd) were the smaller units within the larger Cantref.
Temporal Context: The list reflects the late 14th and early 15th centuries, though earlier Middle Ages structures differed.
Linguistic Note: The records preserve original manuscript orthography alongside modern Welsh equivalents.

Regional Breakdown of Commotes

Gwynedd

Gwynedd featured a complex array of cantrefi and commotes, including the island of Anglesey (Cantrefoed Mon).

Cantref Tegeingl: Insel, Prestatyn, and Rhuddlan.
Cantref Dyffryn Clwyd: Colian, Llannerch, and Ystrad.
Cantref Rhufoniog: Rhuthyn, Uwch Aled, and Is Aled.
Cantref Rhos: Uwch Dulas, Is Dulas, and Creuddyn.
Cantrefoed Mon (Anglesey): Llanfaes (Dindaethwy), Cemais, Talebolyon, Aberffraw, Penrhos, and Rhosyr.
Cantref Arllechwedd: Trefriw and Aber.
Cantref Arfon: Uwch Conwy and Is Conwy.
Cantref Dinodyn: Rifnot and Ardudwy.
Cantref Llŷn: Dinmael, Is Clogion, and Cwm Dinam.
Cantref Meirionnydd: Ystumaner and Tal-y-bont.
Cantref Eryri: Cyfeiliog, Madeu, Uwch Meloch, Is Meloch, Llangonwy, Dinmael, and Glyndyfrdwy.

Powys

Powys was divided primarily between the territories of Powys Madawc and Powys Gwennwynwyn.

Powys Madawc: Included Iâl (Yale), Ystrad Alun, Yr Hob (Hope), Berford, Wnknan, Trefwenn, Croesosswallt, y Creudyn, Nant Odyn, Ceuenbleid (possibly Cynllaith), and Mochnant Is Rhaiadr.
Powys Gwennwynwyn: Included Mochnant Uwch Rhaiadr, Deuddwr, Llanerch Hudol, Ystrad Marchell, Mechain (Is Coed and Uwch Coed), Caereinion, Uwch Affes, Is Affes, and Arwystli (Uwch Coed and Is Coed).

Central and Southern Regions

The southern territories were organized into several distinct cantrefi, ranging from the borderlands to the coast.

Maelienydd: Comprising Ceri, Gwerthrynnyon, Swyd Uudugre, Swyd Yethon, and Llwythyfnwc.
Buellt: Comprising Pen Buellt, Swyddfan (Dinan), Treflys, and Is Irfon.
Elfael: Comprising Uwch Mynydd and Is Mynydd.
Brycheiniog (Brecheinawc): Divided into Cantref Selyf (Brwynllys, Talgarth), Cantref Tewdos (Dyffryn Hoddni, Llys Hywel, Tir Rawlff), and Cantref Ida (Ystrad Yw, Crughywel, Euyas).
Ystrad Tywi: Divided into Cantref Bychan (Hirvryn, Perued, Iskennen), Cantref Eginog (Cydweli, Carnwyllion/Llanelli, Gŵyr/Swansea), and Cantref Mawr (Mallaen, Caeaw, Maenawr Deilaw, Cetheinawc, Mab Eluyw, Mab Utryt, and Widigada).

Ceredigion, Dyfed, and Morgannwg

Ceredigion (Ceredigyawn): Included Cantref Penweddig (Genau'r Glyn, Perfedd, Creuddyn), Cantref Mabwnion (Mefenydd, Anhuniog, Penardd), and Cantref Caerwedros (Gwinionydd, Is Coed).
Dyfed: Included Cemais (Is Nyfer, Uwch Nyfer), Daugleddyf (Castell Gwis, Llanhuadain), Emlyn (Is Cuch, Uwch Cuch), Gwarthaf (Amgoed, Derllys, Efelfre, Elfed, Penrhyn, Peuliniog, Talacharn, Ystlwys), Pebidiog (Mynyw, Pencaer), Penfro (Coedrath, Penfro), and Rhos (Castell Gwalchmei, Hwlffordd).
Morgannwg: Included Cantref Gorvynyd (Rwng Net A Thawy, Tir Yr Hwndryt, Rwng Neth ac Avyn, Tir Yr Iarll, Y Coety, Maenawr Glyn Ogwr), Cantref Penn Ychen (Meisgyn, Glyn Rodne, Maenawr Tal y Vann, Maenawr Ruthyn), Cantref Breinyawl (Is Caech, Uwch Caech, Ceibwr), Cantref Gwynllwc (Yr Heid, Ydref Berued, Edelygyon, Eithyaf, Y Mynyd), and Cantref Gwent (Is Coed, Llemynyd, Tref y Gruc, Uwch Coed).

Summary of Administrative Divisions

Region	Key Cantrefi	Notable Commotes
Gwynedd	Tegeingl, Arfon, Llŷn, Mon	Rhuddlan, Uwch Conwy, Dinmael, Aberffraw
Powys	Powys Madawc, Powys Gwennwynwyn	Yale, Hope, Mochnant Uwch Rhaiadr
Dyfed	Cemais, Emlyn, Penfro	Is Nyfer, Is Cuch, Coedrath
Morgannwg	Gorvynyd, Gwent, Gwynllwc	Tir Yr Iarll, Is Coed, Yr Heid

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Red Book of Hergest?

The Red Book of Hergest is a manuscript created between 1375 and 1425 that serves as a vital historical record of Welsh law, literature, and administrative geography, including the list of commotes.

What is the difference between a cantref and a commote?

A cantref was a larger traditional land division, while a commote (cwmwd) was a smaller administrative subdivision within a cantref.

Were these boundaries permanent?

No. The organization of commotes changed over time, and some of the divisions listed in the Red Book of Hergest were late creations rather than ancient boundaries.

Which region had the most complex divisions in the Red Book?

Gwynedd is noted for having some of the most complex and occasionally ambiguous sections in the manuscript's list of commotes.

How does the manuscript handle Welsh spelling?

The Red Book of Hergest uses original manuscript orthography, which is often presented alongside standard modern Welsh equivalents for clarity.