Mechain
52°10′16″N 3°21′04″W / 52.171°N 3.351°W
Mechain was a medieval cantref in the Kingdom of Powys.[1] Mechain has also been referred to as Y Fyrnwy (Vyrnwy). It consisted of the commotes (cymydau) of Mechain Is Coed and Mechain Uwch Coed. It corresponds to the later hundred of Llanfyllin.[2]
It lay almost in the centre of the kingdom, bordering with cantref Caereinion to the south, the two commotes of the cantref of Mochnant to the north, and the commotes of Deuddwr and Ystrad Marchell to the east.[3]
The inclusion of ym-Mechain in a placename means 'in Mechain', e.g. Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and Llanarmon-ym-Mechain (an historic name for Llanfechain).
Gwerful Mechain, a female Welsh poet of the later Middle Ages renowned for her daring erotic verse, was a native of Mechain.
References
- ^ Davies, John; Jenkins, Nigel (2008). The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press. p. 545. ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6.
- ^ Carlisle, Nicholas (1811). A topographical dictionary of the Dominion of Wales. London: Society of Antiquaries.
- ^ "Cantrefs". Celtic Christianity.
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