Llangwm, Monmouthshire
Encyclopedia
Llangwm is a small rural parish and village in Monmouthshire
, south east Wales
, United Kingdom
. It is located 3 miles east of Usk
, on the B4235 Chepstow
to Usk road. The main village is at Llangwm Uchaf ("Upper Llangwm"), with a smaller and more dispersed settlement about 1 mile to the north-east at Llangwm Isaf ("Lower Llangwm").
" with foliage issuing from their mouths on the chancel arch. The church also contains a medieval rood screen
of circa 1500, restored
in the 19th century, which has been described as "a breathtaking sight, rising almost to the roof" and "one of the most spectacular rood screens in south Wales". It has been suggested that the village's remoteness saved the screen from destruction by Puritans.
Buried in the chancel of the church, though no memorial to him survives, is Walter Cradock
, the 17th-century cleric, who was born at Trefela, 1½ miles south of the church. He was inspired to become an Independent by fellow church Dissenter
William Wroth
.
in the 19th century.
hill fort
at Gaer Fawr (meaning in Welsh
, "great fort"), about 1 mile south-east of Llangwm Uchaf, is one of the largest hill forts in Monmouthshire, and commands wide views over the Vale of Usk
to the west, north and east.
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
, south east Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is located 3 miles east of Usk
Usk
Usk is a small town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles northeast of Newport.The River Usk flows through the town and is spanned by an ancient, arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient Anglo-Welsh border crossing - the river can...
, on the B4235 Chepstow
Chepstow
Chepstow is a town in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, close to its confluence with the River Severn, and close to the western end of the Severn Bridge on the M48 motorway...
to Usk road. The main village is at Llangwm Uchaf ("Upper Llangwm"), with a smaller and more dispersed settlement about 1 mile to the north-east at Llangwm Isaf ("Lower Llangwm").
Church of St. Jerome
Llangwm Uchaf is best known for its partly 13th century church dedicated to St. Jerome. It is built in the Early English style and was partly rebuilt in the 1860s. An ornamented stoup was found built into the wall during restoration work. There are three carved "green menGreen Man
A Green Man is a sculpture, drawing, or other representation of a face surrounded by or made from leaves. Branches or vines may sprout from the nose, mouth, nostrils or other parts of the face and these shoots may bear flowers or fruit...
" with foliage issuing from their mouths on the chancel arch. The church also contains a medieval rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
of circa 1500, restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
in the 19th century, which has been described as "a breathtaking sight, rising almost to the roof" and "one of the most spectacular rood screens in south Wales". It has been suggested that the village's remoteness saved the screen from destruction by Puritans.
Buried in the chancel of the church, though no memorial to him survives, is Walter Cradock
Walter Cradock
Walter Cradock was a Welsh Anglican clergyman, who became a travelling evangelical preacher. He was a founder of the first Independent church in Wales in 1638, at Llanvaches, with William Wroth and William Thomas, an early Baptist.-Life:He was born at Trefela, near Llangwm, Monmouthshire, and is...
, the 17th-century cleric, who was born at Trefela, 1½ miles south of the church. He was inspired to become an Independent by fellow church Dissenter
Dissenter
The term dissenter , labels one who disagrees in matters of opinion, belief, etc. In the social and religious history of England and Wales, however, it refers particularly to a member of a religious body who has, for one reason or another, separated from the Established Church.Originally, the term...
William Wroth
William Wroth
William Wroth , a minister of the Church of England, is generally credited with the establishment of the first Independent Church in Wales in 1639...
.
Church of St. John
The parish has a second smaller and even more remote church, that of St. John at Llangwm Isaf, again in the Early English style and restoredVictorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
in the 19th century.
Gaer Fawr hill fort
The Iron AgeIron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hill fort
Hill fort
A hill fort is a type of earthworks used as a fortified refuge or defended settlement, located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typically European and of the Bronze and Iron Ages. Some were used in the post-Roman period...
at Gaer Fawr (meaning in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, "great fort"), about 1 mile south-east of Llangwm Uchaf, is one of the largest hill forts in Monmouthshire, and commands wide views over the Vale of Usk
River Usk
The River Usk rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain of mid-Wales, in the easternmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and...
to the west, north and east.