Calchfynydd

Calchfynydd (Welsh calch "lime" + mynydd "mountain") was an obscure Britonnic kingdom or sub-kingdom of sub-Roman Britain. Its exact location is uncertain, although the name suggests somewhere in one of Great Britain's Chalk Groups and might refer to southern Scotland,^[1] the Cotswolds,^[2] or the Chilterns.^[3] Virtually nothing else definitive 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.^[4] 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.^[5] John Morris placed it south of the realm of Urien of Rheged, "between Trent and Thames".^[6][7] Based at least in part on the forgeries of Iolo Morganwg, the Rev. Thomas Barns located Calchfynydd around Dunstable,^[8] however sources predating Iolo's time, notably 18th century antiquarian Henry Rowlands' Mona Antiqua Restaurata and David Powel's sixteenth century History of Wales, mention a connection with Dunstable through "Cadrod Calchfynydd" being Earl of Dunstable (a very anachronistic title) in the post-Roman period.^[9][10] Robert Owen placed the kingdom among the Cotswolds.^[2]

Presumed rulers in the line of Cadrawd

• Cynwyd Cynwydion
• Cadrawd Calchfynydd
• Yspwys Mwyntyrch
• Mynan