Gwynllwg facts for kids

Gwynllŵg was an important area in Wales during the Middle Ages. It began as a kingdom, which means it was a land ruled by a king. Later, after the Normans arrived, it became a special border area called a Marcher lordship. Even later, it was known as a cantref, which was an old Welsh way to divide land.

Where Was Gwynllŵg Located?

Gwynllŵg was named after Gwynllyw, who was its ruler in the 5th or 6th century. This area included the flat coastal land between the Rhymney River and the Usk River. It also included the hills to the north.

People traditionally thought Gwynllŵg was part of the kingdom of Glamorgan (called Morgannwg in Welsh). They did not see it as part of the kingdom of Gwent, which only reached as far west as the Usk River. However, laws passed between 1535 and 1542 (the Laws in Wales Acts) changed things. Gwynllŵg was then grouped with areas to the east, forming the new county of Monmouthshire.

How Did the Name Gwynllŵg Change?

The name Gwynllŵg later became a marcher lordship, sometimes called Newport. The name still exists today as 'Wentloog'. You can find it in the Wentloog hundred, which is a type of land division. It also appears in village names on the coast, like Peterstone Wentloog and St Brides Wentloog.

The name Pillgwenlly, a part of central Newport, also comes from a changed version of Gwynllŵg. The Caldicot and Wentloog Levels, which are flat marshy lands, also get their name from this old area.

The Cathedral in Newport is dedicated to Gwynllyw. The name 'St. Woolos' is a changed form of Gwynllyw. This name is still used for the area around the cathedral today.