Calchfynydd (Welsh calch "lime" + mynydd "mountain") was an obscure Britonnic kingdom or sub-kingdom of sub-Roman Britain. Its exact location is unknown and virtually nothing certain is known about it.

The name survives in the epithet of Cadrawd Calchfynydd, apparently a 6th-century ruler of the district. Welsh sources refer to Cadrawd as one of the Gwyr y Gogledd or 'Men of the North', suggesting the area was located somewhere in northern Britain. William Forbes Skene suggested an identification with Kelso (formerly Calchow) in southern Scotland and Rachel Bromwich agrees that a location somewhere in the Hen Ogledd is most likely.[1] Alistair Moffat in his history of Kelso supports this position, citing early references to "Chalchou," as well as the chalk area and Chalkheugh Terrace.[2] John Morris placed it south of the realm of Urien of Rheged.[3] Hills of lime or chalk might refer to the Cotswolds or Chilterns.

Presumed rulers in the line of Cadrawd

  • Cynwyd Cynwydion
  • Cadrawd Calchfynydd
  • Yspwys Mwyntyrch
  • Mynan

References

  1. ↑ Rachel Bromwich. (1961. rev 1990). Trioedd Ynys Prydein. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, p. 325
  2. ↑ Moffat, Alistair (1985), Kelsae: A History of Kelso from Earliest Times, Mainstream, ISBN 0-906391-93-8
  3. ↑ J. Morris, Age of Arthur: a history of the British Isles from 350 to 650 (Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1973), 211 232.
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