Ardudwy

Ardudwy is an area of Gwynedd in north-west Wales, lying between Tremadog Bay and the Rhinogydd. Administratively, under the old Kingdom of Gwynedd, it was first a division of the sub kingdom of Dunoding and later a cantref in its own right. The fertile swathe of land stretching from Barmouth to Harlech was historically used as pasture.

Ardudwy features prominently in Welsh mythology. In the Third Branch of the "Mabinogi," Bendigeidfran holds court at Harlech, and his severed head returns there for seven years before it is taken on to Gwales. ["The Mabinogion:" [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/mab22.htm Branwen the Daughter of Llyr] , translated by Lady Charlotte Guest. Online at [http://www.sacred-texts.com/ www.sacred-texts.com] .] In the Fourth Branch, Lleu Llaw Gyffes is given Eifionydd and Ardudwy as his fief by Math fab Mathonwy. Lleu built his palace at Mur y Castell in Ardudwy. He reigned there before and after the usurpation of Gronw Pebr, whom he killed on the banks of the River Cynfael. ["The Mabinogion (op. cit.):" [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/mab22.htm Math the son of Mathonwy] .]

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