Maes Usswalt - Maserfield - Oswestry

Welsh names frequently have different meanings and origins. This adds to the difficulty in doing genealogy for those of us not familiar with the "landscape" surrounding such words. For example, the word Oswestry can mean a borough, a market town, a parish, a hundred, or a lordship. When the name Oswestry is given today, you automatically assume it is referring to the town located in the county of Salop. [ 17 miles N.W. from Shrewsbury, and 180 mile N.W. from London.] However, when listed in a historical document, it may mean any one of the items listed above. Thus, determining these distinctions may make the difference in shaking the correct family tree branches!

First called "Maes Usswalt" after Ussa, the son of Cunetha Wledic (Cunedda, known as Cunedda "The Lion".] , it became called Maserfield. This meaning "the field" of Ussa. On August 5, 642 AD, a battle was fought here between Penda [pagan king of Merica 632-654 AD], and Oswald [Christian king of Northumberland]. The story goes that Oswald was slain near a tree, and his body was divided, and fixed to three crosses. [ Derision of Christianity by a Pagan king!] The Welsh called it "Croes Oswald" and a monastery was formed coming to be called "Oswald's Cross" = Oswestry! It was annexed to the Kingdom of Mercia following Offa's Dyke, and a castle was built 1149 AD by Madog ap Meredydd. By this time "Oswestry" had become a "borough" [Norman influence], a "market town" [trade influence], a "parish" [Church influence], a "hundred" [state influence], and a "lordship" [monarch influence]! Thus, "The Lordship of Oswestry", was located as "The Hundred of Oswestry", in the "Parish of Oswestry", as a "borough" and "market town". The "Hundred of Oswestry" contain the townships of "Llan-forda", "Maesbury", "Middleton", and "Weston".

Wow! Who would have thought that the name Oswestry could have such a meaning?

A helpful reference is: A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, Vol. II, p. 458-460. [Originally published in four volumes, London, 1831.]

Hen Dinas

Almost due south from the town of Wrexham is Oswestry. It is the southern most anchor of Wat's dyke leading to the ancient hill fort called "Old Oswestry Hill Fort". Strictly speaking, according to James Dyer, "hillforts" were hilltops defended by walls of stone, banks of earth or fences of wood, usually accompanied by one or more external ditches. They are generally associated with the iron age folks, starting around 800 B.C.

Old Oswestry, Selattyn, is considered one of the most complex of this periods hillforts. The fortifications cover about 40 acres, and in parts, has as many as seven ramparts. The hill top contains roughly 16 acres, and is felt by Professor W.J. Varley (excavated site in 1939), at first to have contained a group of circular timber-built huts. Two ramparts were built at a later date, encircling the hill, which by this time contained circular stone huts. Over time, further changes took place extending the defenses, building one of the most complex series of deep hollows and ridges. [More will be said about this later.] This fortification certainly took advantage of a lofty, natural eminence, and is traditionally felt to be the ancient site of the town of Oswestry. Wat's Dyke connects here, and it certainly would have been occupied before this dyke was built. It is around this area that much of my JONES family had its roots. Perhaps, this "Hen Dinas" was the first location of my Celtic tribe.

The reference is : "Prehistoric England and Wales", by James Dyer, Penguin Books, 1981. Old Oswestry is discussed on pages 220-221. Hill forts are discussed on pages 33-34.