In Wales, a Celtic system of division called cantrefi (a hundred farmsteads) had existed for centuries and was of particular importance in the administration of the Welsh law. Following the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542, Wales was divided into a similar system of hundreds to be aligned with England.
Wales was divided into hundreds following the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. This resulted in the creation of five new counties (Monmouthshire, Brecknockshire, Radnorshire, Montgomeryshire and Denbighshire) from the Marches of Wales. Combined with the transformation of the Lordships of Pembroke and Glamorgan into new counties, with the existing counties of Cardiganshire, Caernarfonshire and Flintshire (created by the Statute of Rhuddlan) this gave Wales thirteen counties.
Anglesey
Anglesey was divided into six hundreds:
- Dindaethwy
- Llifon
- Malltraeth
- Menai
- Talybolion
- Twrcelyn
Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire was divided into six hundreds.
- Builth
- Crucywel
- Defynnog
- Merthyr
- Pencelli
- Talgarth
Caernarfonshire
Caernarfonshire was divided into ten hundreds:
- Commitmaen
- Creuddyn
- Dinlaen
- Eifionydd
- Cafflogion
- Isaf
- Uchaf
- Nanconwy
- Is Gwyrfai
- Uwch Gwyrfai
Cardiganshire
Cardiganshire was divided into five hundreds.
- Genaur Glyn
- Ilar
- Moyddyn
- Penarth
- Troedyraur
Parishes
Until 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, Cardiganshire was divided into the following parishes. Chapelries are listed in italics.
1a chapelry to Llanddewi Brefi in Penarth hundred
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire was divided into eight hundreds.
- Carnwyllion
- Catheiniog
- Caeo
- Cedweli
- Derllys
- Elfed
- Is Cennen
- Perfedd
Parishes
In the medieval period Carmarthenshire was divided into the following parishes:
Denbighshire
Denbighshire was divided into six hundreds:
- Broomfield
- Chirk
- Is Aled
- Is Dulas
- Ruthin
- Yale
Flintshire
Flintshire was divided into five hundreds:
- Coleshill
- Maylor
- Mold
- Prestatyn
- Rhuddlan
Glamorgan
Glamorgan was divided into ten hundreds:
- Caerphilly
- Cowbridge
- Dinas Powys
- Kibbor
- Llangyfelach
- Miskin
- Neath
- Newcastle
- Ogmore
- Swansea
Merionethshire
Merionethshire was divided into five hundreds:
- Ardudwy
- Edernion
- Ystumanner
- Penilyn
- Tal Y Bon and Mawddwy
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire was divided into five hundreds:
- Abergavenny
- Caldicot
- Rhaglan
- Skenfrith
- Usk
- Wentloog
Montgomeryshire
Montgomeryshire was divided into eight hundreds:
- Cawrse
- Deuddwr
- Llanfyllin
- Machynlleth
- Mathrafal
- Montgomery
- Newtown
- Pool
Pembrokeshire
Pembrokeshire was divided into seven hundreds from the Laws in Wales Act 1535:
- Castlemartin
- Cemais
- Cilgerran
- Dewisland
- Dungleddy
- Narberth
- Rhos
Parishes
Below is a table of parishes in the medieval period (note: these do not necessarily equate to the pre-1974 civil parishes due to changes in the 19th and 20th centuries). Chapelries are listed in italics.
Radnorshire
Radnorshire was divided into six hundreds:
- Cefnllys
- Colwyn
- Knighton
- Painscastle
- Radnor
- Rhayader
See also
- List of hundreds of England
References
