MONTGOMERY, the capital of a county of the same name in North Wales, took its name from Roger de Montgomery earl of Shrewsbury, who built the castle; but it is called by the Welsh Tre Valdewin, that is, Baldwin's town; having been built by Baldwin, lieutenant of the marches of Wales, in the reign of William I. The Welsh, after having put the garrison to the sword, demolished it in 1095; but Henry II. rebuilt it, and granted it the privileges of a free borough, with other liberties. It is a large and tolerably well built town, in a healthful situation and fertile soil. It sends a member to parliament, and has the
Montgomeryshire the title of an earldom. It had also formerly a tower and castle; but they were demolished in the civil wars. W. Long. 3. 10. N. Lat. 52. 36.
Montgomeryshire, a county of North Wales, 35 miles in length and 34 in breadth; bounded on the north by Merionethshire and Denbighshire, on the east by Shropshire, on the south by Radnor and Cardiganshires, and on the west by another part of Merionethshire. It contains about 34,000 inhabitants, and between 5000 and 6000 houses. The county is full of high hills, with a few valleys and meadows fit for corn and pasture. The air is sharp and cold on the mountains, but is more mild in the valleys.