Corwen
Corwen is a small town in Denbighshire, Wales. It is located on the River Dee at the edge of the Berwyn Mountains. Historically it was at the far north-east of Merionethshire.[1]
The place name likely comes from "cor maen" meaning "sanctuary stone". It was recorded as Cornain in 1206. It grew as a 'mother church' for the commote of Edeyrnion. By the end of the 17th century there were 27 houses in the town. Corwen seems to have grew most around 1750.[2]
Corwen was a parish. It included several smaller villages nearby - Melin Rug, Clawdd Poncen, Carrog, Llidiart y Parc and Glyndyfrdwy.[1] Its boundaries are largely unchanged as a community today, having taken in the small parish of Llansantffraid Glyndyfrdwy. As of 2011 the community had a population of 2,325. The town itself has a population closer to 500.
Corwen is best known for its links with Owain Glyndwr. He was proclaimed Prince of Wales from his nearby manor at Glyndyfrdwy in 1400. This started a 14 year rebellion against the Kingdom of England. Today there is a statue of Owain Glyndwr in Corwen.
The parish church is dedicated to two 6th century saints - Mael and Sulien - and it was probably built around the 12th century. It has since been repaired and refurbished in 1777, 1872 and 1907, so not much from the medieval era has survived.[2]