Mechain facts for kids
Mechain was an important area in the Kingdom of Powys during the Middle Ages. It was a type of land division called a cantref, which was like a large county. Mechain was sometimes also known as Y Fyrnwy.
The name Mechain might come from the River Cain, which flows through the area. The word 'Me' or 'Mach' could mean "meadows" or "plain." So, Mechain might mean "Meadows of the Cain." Later on, this area became known as the hundred of Llanfyllin.
Where Was Mechain?
Mechain was located almost in the middle of the old Kingdom of Powys. It shared borders with other cantrefs:
- To the south, it bordered Caereinion.
- To the north, it bordered two parts of Mochnant.
- To the east, it bordered Deuddwr and Ystrad Marchell, which were parts of the Ystlyg cantref.
Parts of Mechain
Mechain was divided into two smaller areas called commotes (pronounced "kom-oats"). These were:
- Mechain Uwch Coed: This means "Mechain above the wood."
- Mechain Is Coed: This means "Mechain below the wood."
A large forest near Bwlch-y-cibau separated these two commotes.
Main Settlements
Each commote had a main settlement, often with a castle mound:
- The main place for Mechain Uwch Coed was at Tomen yr Allt near Llanfyllin.
- The main place for Mechain Is Coed was at Tomen y Castell near Llanfechain.
Mechain in Place Names
You can still see the name "Mechain" in some local place names today. When you see "ym-Mechain" in a name, it means "in Mechain." For example:
- Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain
- Llanarmon-ym-Mechain (which is an old name for Llanfechain)
