Montgomeryshire, former county, central Wales. In 1974, Montgomeryshire became part of the nonmetropolitan county of Powys.

Montgomeryshire, also known as Maldwyn (Sir Drefaldwyn) is one of thirteen historic counties and a former administrative county of Wales. It is named after one of William the Conqueror's main counsellors, Roger de Montgomerie, who was the 1st Earl of Shrewsbury.

Montgomeryshire constitutes the northern part of the principal area of Powys (except a few communities added to Powys in 1996 that are within the historic boundaries of Denbighshire). The population of this Montgomeryshire area was 59,474 according to the 2001 census.

Montgomery is considered the county town, though the administrative functions were shared with Machynlleth. The borders of Montgomeryshire correspond roughly to the medieval kingdom of Powys Wenwynwyn. It is also the birth place of Saint Richard Gwyn.

History

The county is bounded to the north by Denbighshire, to the east and southeast by Shropshire, to the south by Radnorshire, to the southwest by Cardiganshire and to the west and northwest by Merionethshire. It was formed under the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542. Ancient Lords of the Manor were of the surname Shropshire. Its cantrefi included:

• Cyfeiliog
• Arwystli
• Mawddwy
• Mochnant
• Deuddwy
• Ystrad Marchell
• Gorddwr

It also included the Lordships of Cydewain and Mechain

Geography

The area is almost wholly mountainous, although there are some fertile valleys in the east. The highest point is Cadair Berwyn at 2,723 ft (830 m). Its main rivers are the River Severn and the River Dyfi. Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir supplying Liverpool.

The main towns are Llanfyllin, Machynlleth,Llanidloes, Montgomery,Newtown and Welshpool. The main industries are agriculture (mainly hill farming) and tourism.

Places of special interest:

• Bryn Tail Lead Mining Buildings near Llanidloes
• Centre for Alternative Technology at Llwyngwern near Machynlleth
• Dolforwyn Castle near Abermule
• Montgomery Castle in Montgomery
• Powis Castle near Welshpool
• Trefeglwys Tumuli
• Mathrafal the seat of the Welsh kings and princes of Powys
• Meifod

Memorable Montgomeryshire

To walk up and down through Wales, as you will if you follow Offa's Dyke Path, the Marches Way, the Cambrian Way or Glyndŵr's Way one must at some point travel through Montgomeryshire as it is the only county that stretches from the English border to the fringes of the Irish sea, east to west.

References