Cantref

A cantref (pronounced / kantrɛv / ) was an administrative unit in medieval Wales that was particularly important in the legal system.

Wales was divided into Cantrefi in the Middle Ages, which in turn were divided into the smaller Cymydau ( Commotes ). The name "Cantref" comes from " Cant " ("hundred") and " tref " ("city" in modern Welsh , but earlier also used for much smaller settlements). The Cantrefi appear to be the original units that Cymydau later added. The Cantrefi could vary widely in size, most being divided into two or three Cymydau, but the largest, " Cantref Mawr " and "Great Cantref" at Ystrad Tywi (now Carmarthenshire ) consisted of seven Cymydau. The island of Anglesey, for example, consisted of three cantrefi: Cemais, Aberffraw and Rhosyr.

The Cantrefi were particularly important to the Welsh administration of justice. Each Cantref had its own court of justice, an assembly of the " Uchelwyr ", the important landowners of the Cantref. The chairman of the court was the king, if he was present, or his agent. In addition to the judge, there was a clerk, a clerk (usher) and sometimes professional defense attorneys (pleaders). The Cantref Court handled criminal, border and inheritance disputes. The Cymydau later took over many of the functions of the Cantref courts, so that in some areas the names of the Cymydau are better known than those of the respective Cantref.