Welsh Commotes & Cantrefi

Cymydau a Chantrefi - The Administrative Divisions of Medieval Wales

Understanding Welsh Administrative Structure

Medieval Wales was divided into administrative units that formed the backbone of Welsh governance, law, and tribal organization. The cantref (hundred) was the larger territorial division, typically containing two commotes (cymydau), which served as the basic units of local administration.

Administrative Hierarchy: Each cantref was ruled by a lord or prince and contained multiple commotes. Commotes were further divided into townships (trefi), creating a hierarchical system that governed everything from taxation and military service to legal proceedings and tribal territories.

These divisions were not merely administrative conveniences but reflected the natural territories of Welsh tribes and their ancestral lands. Many commote and cantref names preserve ancient territorial boundaries that existed long before the Norman conquest.

Key Welsh Terms:

Cantref - A territorial division, literally "hundred homesteads"
Commote (Cymwd) - A subdivision of a cantref, the basic unit of Welsh administration
Cymydau - Commotes (plural)
Maenol - A subdivision of a commote, often centered on a court
Tref - Township, the smallest administrative unit

The system was essential for understanding Welsh genealogy, as tribal affiliations, land inheritance, and legal obligations all followed these territorial boundaries. Welsh law codes carefully defined the rights and responsibilities within each administrative level.