Cynllibiwg

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Cynllibiwg was an area of early medieval Wales possibly corresponding roughly to the former county of Radnorshire (in modern Powys). It may have bordered the realms of Brycheiniog to the south, Builth to the west, the Kingdom of Powys to the north and the English border (Herefordshire and Shropshire) to the east. It has been postulated as an early kingdom.[1][2]

The first reference to the name is by Nennius, writing in the early 9th century, who refers to the regione of Cinlipiuc[3]. It is possible that the name also occurs in two late 11th century English sources. In the Domesday Book a place called Calcebuef is referred to as rendering 10 shillings. This entry follows the description of Archenfield and the statment that Rhys of Wales (presumably Rhys ap Tewdwr of Deheubarth paid £40. I has been suggested that this is a corruption of Cynllibiwg.[4] The Red Book of the Exchequer, a mainly 13th century compilation contrains a list of the cantrefs in Wales, which ends with:

Total 48 cantrefs, except 11 cantrefs in Pois and 7 cantrefs between Severn and Wye and except Buehelt between Severn and Wye. In the time of Ris son of Oen called Kenthlebiac. In that are seven cantrefs.[5]

Ris son of Oen must be Rhys ab Owain who ruled Deheubarth between 1072 and 1078. The editor suggested that 7 cantrefs should be 3, perhaps Arwystli, Maelienydd, and Elfael. These are mentoned earlier in the list as part of Powys in the time of 'Meic Menbis', but no longer such.[6]

The significance of the name remains contentious. It could have been an independent Welsh lordship paying tribute to the English crown, if the Domesday Book entry quoted relates to it. Whatever it was, the name was no longer in use in the time of Gerald of Wales (in the late 12th century), as he calls the general area Inter Sabrinam et Wayam (Rhwng Gwy a Hafren), but makes no reference to Cynllibiwg.

It has been suggested that the name derives form Cyntlib, a by-form of the name of St Cynllo.[7]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] P.M. Remfry: Cynllibiwg
  2. ^ [2] P.M. Remfry: Rhwng Gwy a Hafren
  3. ^ Nennius: British History, and The Welsh Annals, ed. John Morris (Phillimore, 1980), cap. 70 (p. 81).
  4. ^ Domesday Book: Herefordshire ed. Thorn and Thorn (Phillimore 1983), A10 (f.179b) and notes on it.
  5. ^ Red Book of Exchequer, ed. Hubert Hall (3 vols. HMSO, 1896: Rerum Britannicarum medii aevi scriptores, 99) II, 762.
  6. ^ Red Book of Exchequer, loc. cit.
  7. ^ Domesday Book, notes, loc. cit.