Maelor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maelor is a border area of north-east Wales. It originated as a Cantref of the Kingdom of Powys, focused on Bangor-on-Dee.
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[edit] History
The Maelor was first divided from the rest of Wales by the construction of Offa's Dyke in the eighth century, but was reclaimed by Wales during the reign of Stephen of England by Madog ap Maredudd of Powys. He died in 1160 and the region was subdivided amongst his heirs and the heirs of Tudor Trevor. By the thirteenth century Maelor had been divided into numerous parts. There was Maelor Gymraeg based upon Wrexham and various Anglo-Norman lordships, namely Overton, Ellesmere, Whittington and Oswestry.
In 1282 - 1283, Edward I of England completed the conquest of the area east of the River Dee, the various lordships being known as the Maelor Saesneg. The western area remained Welsh as the Maelor Gymraeg. These names existed by 1202.
[edit] Maelor Saesneg
In 1397, under Richard II of England, the Maelor Saesneg was merged with the County Palatine of Chester to form the Principality of Chester.
The Maelor Saesneg, the "English-speaking Maelor" is an area of Wales along the eastern border which is an exclave of the ancient county of Flintshire, which was created in 1536, and was often referred to as Flintshire Detached. Its administrative centre was in Overton and it included the villages of Bangor Is Y Coed, Bettisfield, Bronington, Hanmer, Knolton, Penley, Tybroughton, Willington and Worthenbury.
[edit] Maelor Gymraeg
The Maelor Gymraeg, the "Welsh-speaking Maelor", is an ancient district of Wales to the west of the River Dee. It corresponds approximately to the later parishes of Bersham, Erbistock, Marchwiel, Ruabon and Wrexham in the traditional county of Denbighshire which was created in 1536.
[edit] The Maelor today
In 1974, both halves of the Maelor became part of the Wrexham Maelor district, which in 1996 became part of the county borough of Wrexham.
[edit] References
Remfry, P.M., Whittington Castle and the families of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn, Peverel, Maminot, Powys and Fitz Warin (ISBN 1-899376-80-1)
