Mechain

Mechain was a medieval cantref in the Kingdom of Powys.

Machynlleth, Mathrafal, etc., and in modern Welsh, field is maes) may signify meadows or plain, in which case Mechain would mean "Meadows of the Cain".

[3] The caput of Mechain Uwch Coed was at Tomen yr Allt (52°46′50″N 3°17′46″W / 52.7806°N 3.2961°W / 52.7806; -3.2961 (Tomen yr Allt Castle Mound)) near Llanfyllin and that of Mechain Is Coed was at Tomen y Castell (52°46′24″N 3°12′28″W / 52.7734°N 3.2077°W / 52.7734; -3.2077 (Domen Castell Mound & Bailey Castle)) near Llanfechain.

[3] The inclusion of ym-Mechain in a placename means 'in Mechain', e.g. Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and Llanarmon-ym-Mechain (an historic name for Llanfechain).

Gwerful Mechain, a female Welsh poet of the later Middle Ages renowned for her daring erotic verse, was a native of Mechain.