| Dinas Mawddwy | |
|---|---|
 A view across the town of Dinas Mawddwy | |
  Dinas Mawddwy Location withinGwynedd | |
| Population | 622 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SH857148 |
| Community | |
| Principal area | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MACHYNLLETH |
| Postcode district | SY20 |
| Dialling code | 01650 |
| Police | North Wales |
| Fire | North Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| UK Parliament | |
| Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament | |
| 52°43′08″N3°41′28″W / 52.719°N 3.691°W /52.719; -3.691 | |
Dinas Mawddwy (Welsh pronunciation:[ˈdiːnasmau̯ðʊɨ̯];listenⓘ) is a town[1][2] in thecommunity ofMawddwy in south-eastGwynedd,north Wales. It lies within theSnowdonia National Park, but just to the east of the mainA470, and consequently many visitors pass the town by. Its population[when?] is roughly 600. The town marks the junction of the unclassified road toLlanuwchllyn which climbs up through themountains to crossBwlch y Groes at its highest point, the second highest road pass inWales. This minor road also provides the closest access to the mountainAran Fawddwy and is the nearest settlement toCraig Cywarch.
Dinas Mawddwy stands at the confluence of three rivers. TheAfon Cywarch flows from the mountains to the north and theAfon Cerist flows from the west, both joining theRiver Dyfi here. The Dyfi flows south toCemmaes Road where it turns west to head pastMachynlleth to theIrish Sea. The mountains to the north are theAran Fawddwy range of high, rocky peaks. To the south and the west stand theDyfi Hills, dominated byMaesglase 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the town. Dinas Mawddwy is dominated byFoel Dinas which looms high over the valley's west side.
There are thought to be twoIron Age fortifications in the immediate vicinity of Dinas Mawddwy. One is on the top of Moel Benddin, where a low depression forms the supposed site. The second fortification was in C'aer-bryn field, to the south of the Buckley Arms Hotel, which still had stonework in place in the late 18th century.[1]
TheAncient borough of Mawddwy was the only remaining part of theKingdom of Powys still ruled by members of the native "royal family" (ofPowys Wenwynwyn) after 1309. On the division of the realm in 1293, Mawddwy had been awarded toWilliam de la Pole (of Mawddwy) and his descendants. The ruling family in Mawddwy would expire in the male line in 1414.
Dinas Mawddwy was the seat of the borough of Mawddwy and received its charter in 1394;[3] it retained that status until 1886. The Mayor of Mawddwy had the power to try offenders within the borough and punish them in thestocks, and to grant licenses topublic houses, although this latter power ended in 1872.[1]
In the 16th century, the Mawddwy area was home to a band of highway robbers and bandits named the 'Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy' or 'Gwylliaid y Dugoed'. The Gwylliaid were supposedly the dregs of society, who came to the Dinas Mawddwy area having been excommunicated from their own areas. Some were hanged and others were exiled from the area forever. In 1555 two brothers pleaded to be pardoned by theBaron Owain, and his rejection of the plea enraged the Gwylliaid. They were intent on revenge and one night, while the Baron travelled home from Montgomeryshire, the Gwylliaid set traps on the road and shot arrows at the baron and his company. His body was found with thirty arrows attached to it.[4]
From around 1500, the Lordship of Mawddwy was held by members of the Mytton family.[5] In 1734, John Mytton, then the Lord of Mawddwy, donated a black marble font to the church atMallwyd. The family held the lordship until 1831, when it was sold by"Mad Jack" Mytton to John Bird. In 1856. Bird in turn sold the title and the substantial estate in and around Dinas Mawddwy toSir Edmund Buckley, a rich industrialist fromArdwick nearManchester.[6] Buckley passed the title and estate to his sonSir Edmund Buckley, 1st Baronet in 1864. In turn they passed toSir Edmund Buckley, 2nd Baronet in 1910. Sir Edmund's son died fighting atGallipoli in 1915, he died in 1919.
The Lord of Mawddwy was empowered to hold acourt leet. This medieval judicial system continued in active use as late as 1914.[7] In 1891 the following notice of the twice annual court was posted inDolgellau:
NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that the COURT LEET Court Baron and View of Frankpledge of and for the above Manor and for the City and Borough of Dinas Mawddwy for Michaelmas 1891 will be held at the Buckley Arms Hotel Dinas Mawddwy on Thursday the 19th day of November next at One o clock in the Afternoon where and when all Jurors Constables Homagers and others who owe suit and service are required to attend WR DAVIES, Dolgelley, Oct. 31st 1891[1]
In 1898, the Municipal Council of Dinas Mawddwy was formed, withEdward Hurst Davies as its first chairman.[8]
The town was served by the standard gaugeMawddwy Railway which connected with theCambrian Railways atCemmes Road railway station. Dinas Mawddwy was the northernterminus of the railway, which was built to serve theslate quarries atMinllyn andAberangell and to provide passenger services along the upper Dyfi valley. The railway opened in 1867 and ran passenger services until 1 January 1931.[9] It closed completely in September 1950 after heavy flooding of theRiver Dyfi damaged the railway bridge north ofCemmes Road railway station. The line was officially closed on 1 July 1951.[10] The track was lifted early in 1952.[11]
Between 1975 and 1977, the2 ft (610 mm) gaugeMeirion Mill Railway ran fromMeirion Mill on the site of Dinas Mawddwy station for about a mile south towardsAberangell.[12]
