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Offa's Dyke, Wales

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King Offa, took the throne of the midland kingdom of Mercia in 757AD. But even as a regional king, Offa had an influence which extended over all of England. He minted the earliest common English coinage and built famous earthworks to mark his western frontier. These earthworks roughly followed the border between what is now England and Wales, from Prestatyn in the north to Sedbury near Chepstow in the south. Natural barriers were used where practical, and where these barriers did not exist a dyke was built, an earthwork three to four meters in height, with a ditch giving a width of twenty meters to the whole structure. The dyke gave a physical dividing line between Offa's Saxons and the Celtic Britons of Wales. The border was part of a growing identity. Offa was the first ruler of the former province of Britannia to call himself Rex Anglorum, or "king of the English".

The presence of such a large scale fortification might indicate great hostility between Saxons and Britons. But as far as Offa's reign was concerned this might not generally be the case. There is evidence that Offa consulted with rulers in Powys and Gwent about the dyke's line, and it is clear that this line did not always run solely to Mercia's advantage. Offa made sure that a share of fertile land remained within the Celtic area. This is one of the reasons Offa's Dyke has endured for so long. Survival was not only a result of the formidable nature of the fortifications, it is also a result of respectful decisions that went into its planning. Offa's Dyke symbolised peace as well as war. There were communities of Britons to the east of the line, and communities of Saxons to the west. This is perhaps the most endearing feature of Offa's Dyke, a sense of respect for one's neighbours.

Rather than a military fortification, the form of Offa's Dyke in fact mimics the layout of sacred sites which had been built in Neolithic Britain. Circular banks and ditches along with standing stones are seen at such well known sites as Stonehenge and Avebury. Dartmoor also has similar ancient sacred sites, but as well as the usual circles, there are also monuments laid out in a linear form, consisting of lines of standing stones. Offa's Dyke in some respects might be a vast linear monument. The dyke is a symbol of security, and as a symbol it could be equally relevant to those on both sides of the border it represented.

Offa's Dyke survives for long sections.The finest sections are in the area of Montgomery, in mid Wales, and can be followed unbroken for many miles. The Offa's Dyke path is a National Trail and runs for 177 miles from the Severn Estuary to Prestatyn in Denbighshire on the Irish Sea. The path follows what remains of the dyke, for a total of about 60 miles, as well as taking in the rest of the ancient frontier. The path offers a variety of beautiful landscapes, as it makes its way along the Wye Valley, over the Black Mountains, the Shropshire Hills and the Clywidian Hills. If you're considering walking all of the path, a book such as Offa's Dyke Path South Chepstow to Knighton, by Ernie and Kathy Kay will be helpful. The path is generally fairly easy, although there are climbs and descents, and some sections are remote and boggy. Accommodation along the route is plentiful and Bed and Breakfast owners seem used to the needs of walkers. Many owners will arrange transport of luggage on to the next destination, so that walkers only have to carry a light pack.

Click here for an interactive map centred on Offa's Dyke in the area of Montgomery.

 

Contact:

The Offa's Dyke Centre, West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

Open 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday until 31st March.

From April 1st open 10am - 5pm daily.

telephone: 01547 528753

e-mail: odp@offasdyke.demon.co.uk