The Gwendraeth seems to have derived a part of its name from the “traeth” or “strath” of meadow land found along its course, the fertility of which may have led to the establishment of the town and priory of Kidwelly. Cydweli is the name of one of the three commots of Eginoc, one of the four cantrefs or hundreds of the ancient county of Caermarthen, which included Gower. The adjacent commot of Carnwyllion, north of Kidwelly, contained the strong pass of the same name, and is often mentioned in local records. The lordship of Kidwelly extends from the Llwchwr to the Towy, and includes the parliamentary borough of Llanelly, and the municipality of Kidwelly. The franchise of the corporation is reputed to extend beyond the town, around the castle precinct. Of this franchise the mayor is the lord, holding his courts in the town. The courts for the lordship are held in the castle. Kidwelly is a castle of the Edwardian or concentric type, slightly modified from the perfect examples of Beaumaris and Caerphilly. It is composed of the “castle proper,” containing the inner and outer ward, and the “outworks,” containing the southern and northern platforms. [Illustration: KIDWELLY CASTLE. _H. Smyth del._ _J. H. Le Keux sc._] [Illustration: KIDWELLY CASTLE. _H. Smyth del._ _J. H. Le Keux sc._] The castle is in plan nearly a semicircle, the main ditch forming the curve, and the cliff and river the chord. The long axis lies north and south, and the gateways are at opposite ends. The whole work measures 440 yards, by from 90 yards to 130 yards, and covers about three acres. The _Inner Ward_ contains the drum towers, the curtains, the chapel tower, the hall, and the kitchen.