Historical background
This is an area broadly similar to area 10, but less developed,
and historically exploited as a sheep-walk. It includes the
historic crown ffridd (sheepwalk) of Mynydd Pennant, which
before the Conquest would have been an important component
of the medieval administrative landscape in the hand of the
prince although see area 14, since it is possible that the
ffridd extended to the upper part of area 1, and around Castell
y Bere (area 14); given that these were not an incidental or
purely seasonal resource, it is perhaps more appropriate to
consider these hafotiroedd (summer-lands – seasonally-occupied
upland holdings) or ffriddoedd as cattle ranches, ranging from
the valley floors to the high summer pastures. It is likely
that the one settlement, Hafotty Gwastadfryn, represents enclosure
of the sixteenth century as an upland colony of the lower-lying
farm Gwastadfryn, which lies at the inland peak of area 1.
Key historic landscape characteristics
Upland landscape of minimal human habitation
This area includes part of the Cadair Idris SSSI (CCW ref.
SSSI ‘Cadair Idris' 31 WMT ). It is made up of upland and appears
within the post-Medieval period at least to have been devoid
of permanent settlement with the exception of Hafotty Gwastadfryn
at SH 6779 1220. It is crossed by a number of upland tracks
used by farmers. It closes off the upper
part of the Dysynni valley above area 10 around Llanfihangel
y Pennant church.
Back to Dysynni
Landscape Character Map
