Editing Maelor (section)

==English Maelor==
The English Maelor ({{langx|cy|Maelor Saesneg}}) is the area east of the River Dee extending almost to [[Whitchurch, Shropshire|Whitchurch]]. In 1397, under [[Richard II of England]], the English Maelor was attached to the [[County Palatine of Chester]] to form the [[Principality of Chester]]. It continued as a personal possession of the crown until 1536 and the [[ Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542|Laws in Wales Acts]].

Although part of Flintshire, the administrative changes of 1536 confirmed the Hundred of Maelor or English Maelor as an [[Enclave and exclave|exclave]], surrounded by Cheshire, Shropshire and [[Denbighshire (historic)|Denbighshire]]. The administrative centre of the area, often referred to as ''Flintshire Detached'', was [[Overton-on-Dee|Overton]] and it included the villages of [[Bangor-on-Dee]], Bettisfield, [[Bronington]], [[Hanmer, Wrexham|Hanmer]], [[Halghton]], [[Penley]], [[Tybroughton]], Willington and [[Worthenbury]]. 

In 1887 a [[Local Government (Boundaries) Act 1887|Boundary Commission]] was appointed to review the boundaries of counties in England and Wales. At an inquiry at Overton, it was found that most of the population of the area favoured it becoming part of [[Shropshire]], and this was later supported by resolution of the Flintshire justices of the peace.<ref>''Flintshire Quarter Sessions'', Liverpool Mercury, February 8, 1888</ref> However, when [[Local Government Act 1888|local government legislation]] was introduced no change was made.

Under the [[Local Government Act 1894]], the area became [[Overton Rural District]], which was again renamed in 1953 as Maelor Rural District, remaining as a detached part of Flintshire until 1974.<ref name="CPAT - Maelor Saesneg" />