|
Wales
Anglesey
Brecknockshire
Caernarfonshire
Carmarthenshire
Cardiganshire
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Glamorgan
Merioneth
Monmouthshire
Montgomeryshire
Pembrokeshire
Radnorshire
|
-
Montgomeryshire/Sir Drefaldwyn (Montgomery, Newtown, Welshpool, Machynlleth,
Llanidloes)
In prehistoric times important trade
routes ran east-west along the course of the upper River Severn in
eastern Montgomeryshire, and consequently that area has many hill
forts dating from the Iron Age. The Roman occupation of the region
was similarly centred in the east and was military n nature.
Offa's Dyke, the earthwork built in the
8th century by the Mercian kings to demarcate their kingdom from
Wales to the west, runs north-south along the eastern border of
Montgomeryshire. In the eastern part of Powys a string of Norman
castles was built, including Powis Castle near Welshpool and one at
the town of Montgomery.
The area was under the rule of the
marcher lordships (local rulers in Wales who were partly independent
of the English crown) until 1536, when King Henry VIII created the
county of Montgomeryshire and thus brought the area fully under the
administration of the crown.
From the 15th century the county was
known for its manufacture of wool flannels and for its lead mining.
The huge Powis Castle mansion, located outside Welshpool, is one of
the best-known castles in Wales |
