Medieval Welsh Law

‘The Law of Hywel’, or Cyfraith Hywel, is the name given to the native laws of Wales preserved in over forty manuscripts dating from the mid thirteenth century to the sixteenth century. The texts attribute the law to the tenth-century king Hywel ap Cadell and was still being practiced in parts of Wales until the Acts of Union of Henry VIII. This is an important research area that offers a window into medieval Welsh society and is a valuable resource for historians of all kinds. The Centre supports Cyfraith Hywel through the work of Dr Angharad Elias who works on textual studies of some of the law manuscripts and is Law Editor of Studia Celtica.  

Seminar Cyfraith Hywel meetings are held at the Centre annually; the aim of the seminar is to bring together those with an active interest in law, encourage the publication of writings and books in the field, and foster research in the younger generation. The Centre acts as a home for the Welsh Legal History Society.

On behalf of the University of Wales Y Werin Legacy Fund the Centre awards the Hywel Dda Prize. The award is given to the person who has done most to advance the study of medieval Welsh laws and custom, or thrown most light upon their origins, history, language, and palaeography.