Cemais Uwch Nyfer facts for kids
Cemais Uwch Nyfer was an old Welsh area called a commote. It was part of a larger region known as Cemais within the Kingdom of Dyfed. This was in what we now call Pembrokeshire, in Wales.
This commote covered the land between the Afon Nyfer river and the town of Fishguard. Its main town and center was Newport.
What Was a Commote?
A commote was a type of district in old Wales. It was a way to divide land for ruling and managing people. Think of it like a county or a smaller region today. Several commotes together formed a larger area called a cantref.
Norman Influence and Castles
In the 1100s, a big change happened. The Normans, who had taken over England, started to move into Wales. Cemais Uwch Nyfer became part of the Norman March. This was a border area controlled by the Normans.
To keep control, the Normans built many castles here. There were at least eight castles in Cemais Uwch Nyfer! Some of these were at Newport, Little Newcastle, Puncheston, Castlebythe, Henry's Moat, Maenclochog, Llangolman, and Llanfyrnach. These castles helped the Normans rule the land.
Changes Over Time
Cemais Uwch Nyfer stopped being an important administrative area around the 1500s. This happened when new laws, called the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542, changed how Wales was governed. These laws made Wales a more formal part of England.
The old commote system was replaced by new areas called "Hundreds." The functions of Cemais Uwch Nyfer were taken over by the Hundred of Cemais.
Cemais Uwch Nyfer Today
Even though Cemais Uwch Nyfer is no longer an official area, its history is still important. This region is in the northern part of Pembrokeshire. It is known for being a place where the Welsh language is still widely spoken. Many people in this area speak Welsh as their first language.
