Welsh Journals

Further "Queries, Hints, and Suggestions" for the Study of Local History in Powys-land by R. U. SAYCE Part II ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS In Part I of these "Hints and Suggestions" something was said about the parish as an administrative unit, but owing to shortage of space discussion of the other units had to be left until now. It may be only fair to readers of these notes to remind them that local history offers opportunities for a very wide range of studies, and that what is said in the following pages is not intended to be in any way final statements. It is hoped that the topics mentioned will be regarded as subjects for further and thorough investigation. It is an interesting occupation to try and form clear ideas about tribal society in Wales based as it was on kinship, and about its particular ideas of ownership and duties, and then to trace the gradual replacement of this order by, or its evolution into, first, a manorial society, with its emphasis on ownership of land, and, sub- sequently, into a modern, individualistic society. "Modern land tenure results from a long process of evolution and would be practically incomprehensible if the historical factor were not taken into consideration. At no time has the system remained static for long; it has undergone practically continuous change under the influence, partly of government intervention, but mainly of economic and social forces." (The Land Tenure Systems in Europe. League of Nations European Conference on Rural, Life, Document 2, 1939, p. 9). Morris Charles Jones had some such process of change in mind, or its carto- graphical expression, when he wrote in Mont. Coll., 1869, p. 72: "A map of the province of Powys Gwenwynwyn with the adjoining lordships, which were after- wards constituted into the shire of Montgomery, showing all the ancient and modem