Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Monmouth

Monmouth is a handsome market town in Wales, which has at times over the years been officially in England. It is 20 miles from Newport (Gwent).

Its Welsh name is Trefynwy.

As its name suggests, Monmouth is at the mouth of the River Monnow, where it joins the beautiful River Wye.

Monmouth Castle, now in ruins, was built in the 12th century as one of a chain of border forts. Henry V was born at the castle in 1388.

Agincourt Square, in the heart of the town, has a monument to Henry V and also a statue of Charles Rolls of Rolls-Royce fame, another born in the town.

The celebrated Monnow Bridge is the only one of its kind still in use in Britain. It is narrow and fortified, and was built in the 13th century to guard Monmouth from attack across the river.

Geoffrey of Monmouth is believed to have been a monk at the mediaeval priory. He wrote the influential History of the Kings of Britain, which includes stories about the early days of London, Leicester and Bath.