ABSTRACT
This chapter examines archaeological and other evidence for the early medieval church in north-west Wales using a chronological approach. It analyses the evidence for Christianity within the sub-Roman period followed by a review of the archaeological evidence for the 6th to 9th centuries. The ecclesiastical institutions of the 11th and 12th centuries are then described, archaeological evidence for these is considered, and pre-12th-century literary references discussed. The status of the church as revealed in documents of the 13th and 14th centuries is used to supplement the archaeological evidence. An attempt is made to identify the parochiae associated with high-status churches. The different strands are then brought together with examples to identify the nature and hierarchy of the early medieval church in north-west Wales. A proportion of the churches have either burials or inscribed stones which suggest an early foundation, though for some there is a lack of archaeological and historical evidence prior to the 10th century.
