![](../../shim.gif) |
AFON TEIFI: CENARTH - NEWCASTLE EMLYN
![AFON TEIFI: CENARTH - NEWCASTLE EMLYN](images/afonteificenarth.jpg)
GRID REFERENCE: SN284413
AREA IN HECTARES: 105
Historic Background
A small, narrow area within modern Carmarthenshire and
Ceredigion, comprising the rich, scenic floodplain of the lower Afon Teifi
between Cenarth to the west and Newcastle Emlyn to the east. It is entirely
farmland, consisting of fairly large, regular fields of pasture. The Teifi
forms the boundary between the two counties but the medieval and later
history of the area is similar in both. Both Cantref Emlyn (Emlyn Uwch-Cych
commote) south of the river, and Cantref Is Aeron (Iscoed commote) north
of the river remained in Welsh hands until the 13th century, with a brief
period of Anglo-Norman control - and the establishment of numerous castles
- between 1100 and 1136. Both areas were finally annexed by the English
crown in 1283, when the county of Cardiganshire was created. Emlyn Uwch-Cych
commote eventually formed part of the Hundred of Elvet in Carmarthenshire,
in 1536. Welsh tenurial patterns - with neither vills nor knight’s
fees - have been largely responsible for the dispersed settlement within
the region. This and periodical flooding have militated against any settlement
within this area where human intervention is limited to field boundaries,
drainage ditches and a possible prehistoric chambered tomb. The landscape
had assumed its present form by the late 18th century, when estate maps
show it as it is today. However, it would have been more isolated than
today during the historic period, as the two roads that now flank the
floodplain - the A484 on the south side and the B4333 to the north - are
both former turnpike roads that were newly constructed in the late 18th
century.
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This area consists entirely of the floodplain of the
Afon Teifi between Cenarth and Newcastle Emlyn, a distance of approximately
4km. The floodplain is generally between 250m and 400m wide, but at the
western end above Cenarth Falls it narrows down to the width of the river.
It lies at a height of 20m above sea level. Land-use is dominated by improved
pasture. Fields are medium- to large-size and are bounded by hedges. These
are either on very low banks on no banks. Drainage ditches flank some.
Many of the hedges are overgrown, and these together with the numerous
hedgerow trees lend a parkland appearance to the landscape. The B4333
to the north and the A484 to the south flank the floodplain for parts
of their courses. There are no buildings, and the only recorded archaeology
is the possible site of a Neolithic chambered tomb.
The absence of building and the flat nature distinguish
this area from the rolling farmland of its neighbours.
Sources: Carmarthen Record Office c/v 5885 Newcastle
Emlyn Estate – The Property of John Vaughan 1778, map 2; Cenarth
parish tithe map 1840; Lewis, S, 1833, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales
1 & 2, London; Llandygwydd parish tithe map 1842; Lloyd, J E, 1935,
A History of Carmarthenshire, Volume I, Cardiff; Meyrick, S R, 1810, The
History and Antiquities of Cardiganshire, London; Rees, W, 1932, ‘Map
of South Wales and the Border in the XIVth century’; Rees, W, 1951,
An Historical Atlas of Wales, London; Regional Historic Environment Record
housed with Dyfed Archaeological Trust
Base map reproduced from the OS map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, © Crown Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221 |