Ewyas
Encyclopedia
Ewyas was a possible early Welsh
kingdom which may have been formed around the time of the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the 5th century. The name was later used for a much smaller commote
or administrative sub-division, which covered the area of the modern Vale of Ewyas
(now within Monmouthshire
, Wales
) and a larger area to the east including the villages of Ewyas Harold
and Ewyas Lacy (now within Herefordshire
, England
).
. However, these sources are open to several interpretations and this is not generally accepted by mainstream historians. Geoffrey of Monmouth
gives the legend of Octavius
(Welsh: Eudaf), "earl of Ewyas and Ergyng
", in his famous pseudo-history Historia Regum Britanniae
, making him a descendant of Caratacus
who had led the Silures
in battle against the Romans. According to Geoffrey, he took up a supposed "British High Kingship
" after defeating Trahern
, the brother of King Coel Godhebog, in the late third or early fourth century. There is no historical evidence to corroborate this and Coel's reign in the Hen Ogledd
is usually placed in the 5th century. In the Welsh versions of the Historia, such as Brut Dingestow, Octavius is called Eudaf; this is the same legendary figure that appears in Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig as father of Elen, wife of Macsen Wledig, and living near Segontium
in north Wales.
An 8th century charter relating to the church at Clodock
includes an account of its origin at a time when Clydawg, "king in Ewyas" was murdered while on a hunting expedition, and an oratory was built to commemorate his martyrdom.
, a religious centre dedicated to St. Beuno
was founded at Llanveynoe, where what is probably the oldest stone cross in the modern county of Herefordshire stands, from around 600 AD. At around the same time, a religious centre may have been founded at Llanthony
, on the site of the later Priory
. In the mid 10th century there were seven cantrefs in Glamorgan, including "Ystradyw and Ewyas".
, a Norman
follower of Edward the Confessor
, built a motte and bailey castle at Ewyas Harold
, believed to be one of the first built in Britain. Following the Norman Conquest, Ewyas remained in Welsh hands briefly under Rhydderch ap Caradog, apparently a client ruler of Ewyas obeisant to William the Conqueror. It was then granted to the Norman retainer Walter de Lacy
By the time of the Domesday Book
in 1086, Ewyas or Ewias was an autonomous area bounded by the Black Mountains
in the west, Graig Syfyrddin
in the south, the line of the Golden Valley
in the east, and Yager Hill and Cefn Hill to the north, just below the village of Clifford Castle
near Hay-on-Wye
. Domesday records that Alfred of Marlborough held the castle of Ewyas of the king; this was presumably the re-built Pentecost Castle. Land around Ewyas Harold Castle was held by Walter's son Roger de Lacy.
Ewyas became a Marcher lordship, largely independent of the English crown. Further motte and bailey castles were built at Walterstone, Llancillo, Rowlestone and Clodock, followed after 1216 by Longtown Castle
, presiding over the newly founded borough of Longtown
. The line of de Lacys ended in 1241, when the Lordship of Ewyas Lacy was divided.
, and the border between Herefordshire and Wales took more or less its present form, with the county of Herefordshire assimilating the Welsh territory of Ewyas Lacy. The Llanthony
valley, or Vale of Ewyas
, became part of the hundred of Abergavenny
, within Monmouthshire
. In 1852 the Parishes of Clodock
with Longtown
, Michaelchurch Escley, Craswall
, St Margarets, Ewyas Harold, Rowlestone
, Llancillo, Walterstone, Dulas and Llanveynoe
were transferred from the diocese of St David's
to that of Hereford. To the west of Hatterall Ridge
, the other old parishes of Ewyas – Llanthony
, Cwmyoy
and Oldcastle
- were transferred from St David's to the diocese of Llandaff
.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
kingdom which may have been formed around the time of the Roman withdrawal from Britain in the 5th century. The name was later used for a much smaller commote
Commote
A commote , sometimes spelt in older documents as cymwd, was a secular division of land in Medieval Wales. The word derives from the prefix cym- and the noun bod...
or administrative sub-division, which covered the area of the modern Vale of Ewyas
Vale of Ewyas
The Vale of Ewyas is the steeply-sided and secluded valley of the Afon Honddu, in the Black Mountains of south Wales and within the Brecon Beacons National Park. As well as its outstanding beauty, it is known for the ruins of Llanthony Priory, and for several noteworthy churches such as those at...
(now within Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
) and a larger area to the east including the villages of Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold is a village and civil parish in the Golden Valley in Herefordshire, England, near to the Welsh border with present day Monmouthshire and about half way between the towns of Abergavenny and Hereford. It lies on the Dulas brook, and is contiguous with the neighbouring village of...
and Ewyas Lacy (now within Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
).
A legendary kingdom
Some researchers interpret the evidence of the medieval Llandaff charters to suggest that early Ewyas may have encompassed much of south-east Wales, including the later kingdoms of Gwent and ErgyngErgyng
Ergyng was a Welsh kingdom of the sub-Roman and early medieval period, between the 5th and 7th centuries. It was later referred to by the English as Archenfield.-Location:...
. However, these sources are open to several interpretations and this is not generally accepted by mainstream historians. Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth
Geoffrey of Monmouth was a cleric and one of the major figures in the development of British historiography and the popularity of tales of King Arthur...
gives the legend of Octavius
Octavius
Octavius or Eudaf Hen is a figure of Welsh tradition. He is remembered as a King of the Britons and the father of Elen Luyddog and Conan Meriadoc in sources such as the Welsh prose tale The Dream of Macsen and Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin chronicle Historia Regum Britanniae...
(Welsh: Eudaf), "earl of Ewyas and Ergyng
Ergyng
Ergyng was a Welsh kingdom of the sub-Roman and early medieval period, between the 5th and 7th centuries. It was later referred to by the English as Archenfield.-Location:...
", in his famous pseudo-history Historia Regum Britanniae
Historia Regum Britanniae
The Historia Regum Britanniae is a pseudohistorical account of British history, written c. 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It chronicles the lives of the kings of the Britons in a chronological narrative spanning a time of two thousand years, beginning with the Trojans founding the British nation...
, making him a descendant of Caratacus
Caratacus
Caratacus was a first century British chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe, who led the British resistance to the Roman conquest....
who had led the Silures
Silures
The Silures were a powerful and warlike tribe of ancient Britain, occupying approximately the counties of Monmouthshire, Breconshire and Glamorganshire of present day South Wales; and possibly Gloucestershire and Herefordshire of present day England...
in battle against the Romans. According to Geoffrey, he took up a supposed "British High Kingship
King of the Britons
The Britons or Brythons were the Celtic-speaking people of what is now England, Wales and southern Scotland, whose ethnic identity is today maintained by the Welsh, Cornish and Bretons...
" after defeating Trahern
Trahern
Trahern According to Geoffrey, Trahern was king of the Britons and Roman senator. He was the brother of the late King Coel and was sent by Emperor Constantine I to restore Britain to Roman rule during the usurpation of Octavius ....
, the brother of King Coel Godhebog, in the late third or early fourth century. There is no historical evidence to corroborate this and Coel's reign in the Hen Ogledd
Hen Ogledd
Yr Hen Ogledd is a Welsh term used by scholars to refer to those parts of what is now northern England and southern Scotland in the years between 500 and the Viking invasions of c. 800, with particular interest in the Brythonic-speaking peoples who lived there.The term is derived from heroic...
is usually placed in the 5th century. In the Welsh versions of the Historia, such as Brut Dingestow, Octavius is called Eudaf; this is the same legendary figure that appears in Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig as father of Elen, wife of Macsen Wledig, and living near Segontium
Segontium
Segontium is a Roman fort for a Roman auxiliary force, located on the outskirts of Caernarfon in Gwynedd, north Wales.It probably takes its name from the nearby River Seiont, and may be related to the Segontiaci, a British tribe mentioned by Julius Caesar. The fort was founded by Agricola in 77 or...
in north Wales.
An 8th century charter relating to the church at Clodock
Clodock
Clodock is a village in the west of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Monnow in the foothills of the Black Mountains, close to the border with Wales. The village is in the civil parish of Longtown....
includes an account of its origin at a time when Clydawg, "king in Ewyas" was murdered while on a hunting expedition, and an oratory was built to commemorate his martyrdom.
Cantref
Whatever the origins of Ewyas may be, north of the present site of LongtownLongtown, Herefordshire
Longtown is a linear village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. The civil parish also includes the village of Clodock. In the 2001 census the population of the parish was 474.- Location :...
, a religious centre dedicated to St. Beuno
Beuno
Saint Beuno was a 7th-century Welsh holy man and Abbot of Clynnog Fawr in Gwynedd, on the Llŷn peninsula.-Life:Beuno was born in Powys, supposedly at Berriew, the grandson of a prince of that realm. After education and ordination in the monastery of Bangor-on-Dee in north-east Wales, he became an...
was founded at Llanveynoe, where what is probably the oldest stone cross in the modern county of Herefordshire stands, from around 600 AD. At around the same time, a religious centre may have been founded at Llanthony
Llanthony Priory
Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep sided once glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay...
, on the site of the later Priory
Llanthony Priory
Llanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian priory in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep sided once glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It lies seven miles north of Abergavenny on an old road to Hay...
. In the mid 10th century there were seven cantrefs in Glamorgan, including "Ystradyw and Ewyas".
Lordship
In about 1046 Osbern PentecostOsbern Pentecost
Sir Osbern Pentecost was a Norman knight who followed Edward the Confessor to England upon Edward's return from exile in Normandy in 1041.He was one of the few Norman landholders in England prior the the Norman Conquest of England in 1066...
, a Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
follower of Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor
Edward the Confessor also known as St. Edward the Confessor , son of Æthelred the Unready and Emma of Normandy, was one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England and is usually regarded as the last king of the House of Wessex, ruling from 1042 to 1066....
, built a motte and bailey castle at Ewyas Harold
Ewyas Harold Castle
Ewyas Harold Castle was a castle in the village of Ewyas Harold in Herefordshire, England.The first castle on the site is believed to be one of the very few which were built before the Norman conquest under the Saxons, probably in 1048, on the site of an earlier fortification, possibly by Osbern...
, believed to be one of the first built in Britain. Following the Norman Conquest, Ewyas remained in Welsh hands briefly under Rhydderch ap Caradog, apparently a client ruler of Ewyas obeisant to William the Conqueror. It was then granted to the Norman retainer Walter de Lacy
Walter de Lacy
Walter de Lacy was Lord of Meath in Ireland and Ludlow in Shropshire in the Welsh Marches.- Life :With his father Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath he built Trim Castle , Trim, County Meath....
By the time of the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
in 1086, Ewyas or Ewias was an autonomous area bounded by the Black Mountains
Black Mountains, Wales
The Black Mountains are a group of hills spread across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales, and extending across the national border into Herefordshire, England. They are the easternmost of the four ranges of hills that comprise the Brecon Beacons National Park, and are frequently...
in the west, Graig Syfyrddin
Graig Syfyrddin
Graig Syfyrddin, also known as Edmund's Tump, is a hill near Grosmont in north-eastern Monmouthshire, Wales.The Three Castles Walk , a waymarked recreational walk in Monmouthshire linking Grosmont Castle, White Castle and Skenfrith Castle passes over the hill.-External links:*...
in the south, the line of the Golden Valley
Golden Valley, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,281 people, 8,449 households, and 5,508 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,982.3 people per square mile . There were 8,589 housing units at an average density of 839.5 per square mile...
in the east, and Yager Hill and Cefn Hill to the north, just below the village of Clifford Castle
Clifford Castle
Clifford Castle is a castle in the village of Clifford which lies four miles to the north of Hay-on-Wye in the Wye Valley in Herefordshire, England .-Early Norman castle and planned settlement:...
near Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye , often described as "the town of books", is a small market town and community in Powys, Wales.-Location:The town lies on the east bank of the River Wye and is within the Brecon Beacons National Park, just north of the Black Mountains...
. Domesday records that Alfred of Marlborough held the castle of Ewyas of the king; this was presumably the re-built Pentecost Castle. Land around Ewyas Harold Castle was held by Walter's son Roger de Lacy.
Ewyas became a Marcher lordship, largely independent of the English crown. Further motte and bailey castles were built at Walterstone, Llancillo, Rowlestone and Clodock, followed after 1216 by Longtown Castle
Longtown Castle
Longtown Castle is a ruin, originally a Norman Motte and Bailey castle and later stone castle built to provide defence against the Welsh and protect the border of Herefordshire.- Location :It is located in Longtown, Herefordshire....
, presiding over the newly founded borough of Longtown
Longtown, Herefordshire
Longtown is a linear village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. The civil parish also includes the village of Clodock. In the 2001 census the population of the parish was 474.- Location :...
. The line of de Lacys ended in 1241, when the Lordship of Ewyas Lacy was divided.
Into Herefordshire and Monmouthshire
In 1536 the administration of Wales was re-organisedLaws in Wales Acts 1535-1542
The Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542 were parliamentary measures by which the legal system of Wales was annexed to England and the norms of English administration introduced. The intention was to create a single state and a single legal jurisdiction; frequently referred to as England and Wales...
, and the border between Herefordshire and Wales took more or less its present form, with the county of Herefordshire assimilating the Welsh territory of Ewyas Lacy. The Llanthony
Llanthony
Llanthony is a village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom.- Location :Llanthony is located in the Vale of Ewyas, a deep and long valley with glacial origins within the Black Mountains, Wales, seven miles north of Abergavenny and within the eastern section of the Brecon Beacons...
valley, or Vale of Ewyas
Vale of Ewyas
The Vale of Ewyas is the steeply-sided and secluded valley of the Afon Honddu, in the Black Mountains of south Wales and within the Brecon Beacons National Park. As well as its outstanding beauty, it is known for the ruins of Llanthony Priory, and for several noteworthy churches such as those at...
, became part of the hundred of Abergavenny
Abergavenny
Abergavenny , meaning Mouth of the River Gavenny, is a market town in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is located 15 miles west of Monmouth on the A40 and A465 roads, 6 miles from the English border. Originally the site of a Roman fort, Gobannium, it became a medieval walled town within the Welsh Marches...
, within Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
. In 1852 the Parishes of Clodock
Clodock
Clodock is a village in the west of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Monnow in the foothills of the Black Mountains, close to the border with Wales. The village is in the civil parish of Longtown....
with Longtown
Longtown, Herefordshire
Longtown is a linear village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. The civil parish also includes the village of Clodock. In the 2001 census the population of the parish was 474.- Location :...
, Michaelchurch Escley, Craswall
Craswall
Craswall is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. It lies in the far west of the county, in the foothills of the Black Mountains close to the border with Wales....
, St Margarets, Ewyas Harold, Rowlestone
Rowlestone
Rowlestone is a village and civil parish in the county of Herefordshire in England. It is a rural area with agriculture the main source of employment, and had only 87 residents in 2004....
, Llancillo, Walterstone, Dulas and Llanveynoe
Llanveynoe
-External links:* , GENUKI genealogy web portal* ** Please note that most of the sites are on private property and are not open to the public...
were transferred from the diocese of St David's
St David's
St Davids , is a city and community in Pembrokeshire, Wales. Lying on the River Alun on St David's Peninsula, it is Britain's smallest city in terms of both size and population, the final resting place of Saint David, the country's patron saint, and the de facto ecclesiastical capital of...
to that of Hereford. To the west of Hatterall Ridge
Hatterall Ridge
The Hatterrall Ridge is a ridge in the Black Mountains forming the border between Powys and Monmouthshire in Wales and Herefordshire in England. The ridge is about long, and is followed by the Offa's Dyke Path. On the west side of the ridge is the Vale of Ewyas, and on the east side is the...
, the other old parishes of Ewyas – Llanthony
Llanthony
Llanthony is a village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom.- Location :Llanthony is located in the Vale of Ewyas, a deep and long valley with glacial origins within the Black Mountains, Wales, seven miles north of Abergavenny and within the eastern section of the Brecon Beacons...
, Cwmyoy
Cwmyoy
Cwmyoy is an extensive rural parish in Monmouthshire, Wales. Alternate spellings include Cwm Iau, the name translating from the Welsh as "valley of the yoke"...
and Oldcastle
Oldcastle, Monmouthshire
Oldcastle is a small village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom.-Location:Oldcastle is located six miles north of Abergavenny just off the A465 Abergavenny to Hereford road.-History and amenities:...
- were transferred from St David's to the diocese of Llandaff
Diocese of Llandaff
The Diocese of Llandaff is a Church in Wales diocese. It is headed by the Bishop of Llandaff, whose seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Llandaff, a suburb of Cardiff...
.