Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

THE GORTHER. By Archdeacon THOMAS, M.A., F.S A. [OB. 4TH OCTOBER, 1916.] THE Gorther is a district of considerable extent on the eastern side of the Severn, stretching from the borders of Kerry and Clun Forest on the south to the Severn, where it forms the northern boundary of Criggion. It embraces the Manorial Divisions of Overgorther and Nethergorther The Manor of Overgorther comprises the following portions of the parish of Forden, viz., the townships of Edderton, Forden, Hem, Munlyn, Thornbury. Woodlustan and Wropton; the following portions of the parish of Churchstoke, viz., the townships of Bacheldre, Hopton Isa and Weston Madoc and the township of Trelystan in the Chapelry of Trelystan. The Manor of Nethergorther contains the township of Criggion in the Chapelry of Criggion and the township of Uppington in the parish of Alberbury, together with the township of Winnington in Shropshire.1 Such, at least, is its restricted area in the present day; but we shall see from other evidence that it has been of much greater extent. The name has been spelt in at least thirteen different ways-Gorther, Gorthor, Gordwr, Gorddwr, Gordor, Gordore, Gordowre, Gordwor, Gordewore, Gordwore, Gortwor, Gordwyr and Gordowyr. The origin and meaning of the name is, however, uncertain. It is generally assumed to be a derivation of "dwfr" (water),2 and is contrasted with the adjoining Deytbeur 1 Mont. Coll., Vol. ii., p. 118. 2 Gorddwfr = The water brink (W. 0. Pnghe). "By the water" (Rd. Williams, Topographicon of Mont.).—Mont Coll., vol. iii., p. 223.