Narberth,
Nash,
Nevern,
Narberth
Yn Arberth.
Acc/to South Pembrokeshire Place Names - P Valentine Harris.
Narberth.
c. 1100, Mabinogion, Arberth. 1248 - 49, Nerberd. Then is attracted from yn, in yn Arberth or from
atten, at, atten Arberth. From W.
perthi, slope clothed in
bushes.
Originally
a defended castle town, this is now a thriving service centre for a large area
of eastern Pembrokeshire. The castle dating from 1246 is in ruins and is not
open to the public. There are some fine buildings in the town including the Town
Hall and Magistrates Court. The church tower dates from the 1200s, but the rest was rebuilt in 1879. There
are a number of interesting craft workshops in the town.
The
town could be of either Welsh or English foundation.
Narberth
Castle at south end of town.
Tony Roberts 1989.
Castle
here was burnt by the Welsh in 1116, but the surviving remains today are
probably from a successor castle built by the Normans some time before 1250. The
present remains were probably preceded by what is now called Sentence Castle, a
few miles south near Templeton. There was also an attack on the castle in 1257.
Narberth Castle was a rough
rectangular enclosure with four corner towers. The entire north side and the
gatehouse have vanished. A great hall lay between the two southern towers and
was at right-angles to a great chamber over a fine vaulted store-room, which
still remains.
Readers
of the Mabinogion; the famous collection of Welsh folk tales, will recall that
Pwyll, prince of Dyfed, held his splendid court at Arberth, the Welsh name for
Narberth, and from there he and his court went hunting in the valley of Cych,
where many adventures took place.
The
castle had very little later history. In 1516 it was given by Henry VII to Sir Rhys ap Thomas, but when
his grandson was executed in 1531, it reverted to the Crown and was allowed to
decay. The castle is on private ground but can be viewed from the road.
Introducing
West Wales. - Maxwell Frazer 1956.
Henry
IV granted Narberth Castle for life to Sir Thomas Carew who lived there and
maintained 10 men at arms there plus 20 bowmen.
The wages 12d per day for each man-at-arms and 6d per day per bowman.
Introducing
West Wales. - Maxwell Frazer 1956.
Narberth
forest was south of Narberth. Once hunting ground of the Knights of St John of
Slebech. In the reign of James I it was still stocked with red deer and provided
large quantities of oak for the Navy.
Acc/to
South Pembrokeshire. - Mrs Mary Mirehouse.
Perrot,
Sir Stephen, 1183 Narberth married Eleanor ap Merchion of Jestynton
and thus obtained estates in the Castlemartin Hundred South Pembrokeshire.
In an
extent of the bishop of St Davids manor of Narberth made in 1337, four grist
mills and one fulling mill appear. The pandy does not appear in the Black book
in 1326. (cal Public Records relating to Pembrokeshire II 80).
The
town of Narberth is built on rising ground just to the north of a small
There
is no direct evidence on the origins of settlement. Following the conquest of
Pembrokeshire by the Normans
under Arnulf de Montgomery, Narberth is said to have been granted to Stephen
Perrott. It is unlikely, however, that he constructed any fortifications here,
and the castle near Arberth was
probably Sentence Castle at Templeton. Although midway between Narberth and
Templeton stands the remains of another stronghold on Camp Hill which has been
attributed to Perrott. It may well be that there was no castle at Narberth at
that period but only at Camp Hill or Sentence Castle.
Certainly
the visible masonry remains of Narberth Castle are no earlier than the late 13th
or early 14th century.
Very
little is known of Narberth during the medieval period beyond
The
church, dedicated to the same saint, also dates from the 13th
In
1532 there were only 30 burgages here and John Leland, four years later,
noted it only as a poore village.
The
principal development, in fact, was post-medieval, associated with the granting
of a Thursday market in 1652, which was fostered by a certain Richard Castle.
The market expanded rapidly, mainly at the expense of that at Tenby, and as a
result the Tenby burgesses applied to the king in 1671 for its suppression. This
was granted in 1676, but by 1688 it had been re-established. The town continued
to grow steadily with the development of some local industry, principally the
manufacture of hats and limestone quarrying.
This
developing 17th-century town centred on the Market Square which lies
Acc/to
Medieval Buildings - published by Preseli District Council.
Plas
Farmhouse - limestone building probably 16c, close to St Andrews Church - much
altered in detail has one corbelled
chimney on the south wall, the remains of another, together with a filled in
stone mullion window on the east wall and was evidently in its day a house of
importance.
Acc/to
Protestant Dissenters in Wales 1639
- 1689 - by Geraint H Jenkins.
Thomas
Warren of Narberth publicly informed his parishioners that the Prayer
Book was - a packet of lies
and the Invention of Man.
Acc/to
The old Parish Churches of South West Wales - by Mike Salter
1994.
The
church was heavily restored in 1879. Only the north transeptal tower, the north
wall of the wide nave, and the large north chapel are likely to be medieval.
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
The
Rectory of Narberth was evidently appendant to the lordship of Narberth, as all
the patrons mentioned were lords of Narberth. In the extent of the possessions
of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, made in 1249, the church of
Narberth in Pembrokeshire was returned at 30 marks. - Pat. Rolls. Edw.
III.
In
1291 this church was assessed at £16 for tenths to the King, the sum payable
being £1 12s. - Taxatio.
Nerberch
Rectoria cum Capella annexata vocata Robertston .Ecclesia cum capella ibidem ex
presentacione domini Regis racione dominii sui de Nerberth predicti unde
Willielmus Danger est rector habens ibidem rectoriam sive mansionem curn gleba.
Et valet dicta rectoria curn omnibus emolimentis per annum xxvja. Inde sol arch
diacono quolibet anne pro sinodalibus et procuracionibus vs ixd. Et quolibet
tereio anno pro visitaeione ordinaria iijs iiijd. Et remanet clare £25 10s.
11d. - Valor Eccl.
Under
the heading “Livings remaining in
Charge”:- Narberth R. (St. Andrew) with the chapel of Robeston Walthan.
Archidiac. quolibet anno, 5s. 8d. visit. Ordinaria quolibet tertio anno 3s. 4d.
Kex, latlull Dominii sui de Nafberth, 1535; The Prince of Wales. Kings Books, £25
10s. 10d. £200. Yearly tenths, £2 11s. 1d. - Bacons Liber Regis.
On 13
June, 1879, a faculty was obtained for the restoration of the Parish Church of
Narberth.
The chapel of Mounton, which is situated on the confines of Narberth Parish, is in a parish of its own, but nothing is known as to its early history. In 1721 it was in ruins, and according to Lewis Topographical Dictionary, published in 1840, it was then consolidated with Narberth, to which rectory it vas considered to be a chapel of ease. The tithes of Mounton Parish, amounting to £21 0s. 4d. are owned by Mr. Wilfred Lewis of Henllan. The chapel was rebuilt by the Right Rev. Richard Lewis, late Bishop of Llandaff.
Browne Richard Churchwarden 1543 Narberth PRO223/423.
Wellshe Ieuan Churchwarden 1543 Narberth PRO 223/423.
Nash
St
Mary [Jottings originally made for Mrs Gibby at Nash who
always provided a very welcome cup of tea after I had taken the Service there.]
Archeologia Cambrensis 5786 Vol V 5th Series, August 4th 1871.
This
Church seems to have been wholly rebuilt, except that some portions of the
original walls are partially slated. It is a plain, oblong building, with square
headed windows and a modern bell cot at the west end. In the Churchyard is a
fine sepulchral effigy of a knight, neglected and overgrown with moss, with a
helmet of 15c and his hand on his sword. There is also an old font with a square
bowl.
The
organ is situated on a gallery at the west end and access is gained via stairs
from the porch. The seating is rather unusual in that it consists of box pews,
in two of which half of the occupants would be sitting with their backs to the
altar.
The
original Church dates back to at least 1291,and had some
fine carving and effigies, one of a lady, and one of a Knight in mail
armour but by the time of Fentons visit in 1810 parts of the church had
deteriorated badly and had been pulled down. The effigy of the knight was removed to Upton Chapel after spending years
lying in the churchyard overgrown with moss.
1291
Ecclesia de Esse [Nash]
was assessed for tenths to the King, The sum payable being 10s
1307 Sept 20 Edward II File 4(1) (Cal p21a).
(One
of the Jurors John De Esse)
Lands
etc., Joan de Valencia, Countess of Pembroke
Rent
of Costeyniston 8s
Opeton
4s
Esse
1d
1324
August 20 Pembroke
C
Edward II File 85
Extent
made before John de Hamptona, Kings escheater, at Pembroke 20 August 1324 Jurors:
Walter Maeleufaut, Walter de Castro, John Keiez (Kneghey) John Melin,
Walter Harald; Stephen Perot, Walter Eliot; Wioti de Laureny, John Cradok (John
de Luny), William de Crippynes, Thomas Martin, and John Scorlags.
[as
per C Edward II file 84 plus following]
Aymer
had in the county
of
* Esse
half knights fee held by Walter Maleufaunt worth yearly 10m. (He was succeeded
by his son William)
Total Value £175 16s 41/2d
besides dower (preter dotem)
1348
September 24 Pembroke
Writ
of certiorari de feodis etc., to John de Shol, escheater in
Edward
III Extent of all fees and advowsons of churches in the county of Pembroke, made
at Pembroke on Thursday in the feast of St Michael de Monte Tumba, 22 Edward
III.
Esse
half fee held by William Maleufaunt, worth yearly 10m.
1376
20 November
I.
P. M.,
Edward III, 248,
f. 105
Writ
of certiorari de feodis, d. 20 November, 49 Edward III. Edward de Brigg.
Extent. 49 Edward III.
half a
knights fee in Esse, which W.
formerly held worth etc. 50s;
1513.
Nash manor owned by the Bowen family of Upton descended from Sir James ap Owen
of Pentre Jevan[ Evan] in Nevern Parish.
1513
Henry
king of England etc., to Edward
etc., bishop of St Davids greeting. Whereas you and the rest of the prelates and
clergy of the province of Canterbury assembled in the last convocation or holy
synod of such prelates and clergy in the church of the divine Paul, London,
begun and celebrated on 6 February in the year 1511-12 according to the course
and computation of the English Church and continued day by day unto and on 17
December then next following granted unto us for the defence and protection of
the Anglican Church and this our
famous realm of England as well as to allay and extirpate heresies and schisms
in the church universal which in
these days flourish more than usually, under the manners, forms, conditions, and
exceptions written below, not otherwise not in any other manner, four tenths of
all ecclesiastical benefices and possessions whatsoever, also of all benefices
and possessions of alien priories whatsoever, being in the hands of whatsoever
ecclesiastics or secular men of the said province, the specific exceptions
within written only excepted, to be levied, collected and paid in the manner,
form and terms following, namely one and the first tenth on the feast of St
Martin in the winter next to come which will be in the year 1513, the second
truly on the feast of St Peter ad Vincula then next to come which will be in the
year 1514, and the third on the feast of the Holy apostles Phillip and James
which will be in the year 1515, the fourth and last tenth truly on the feast of
the said Apostles which will be in the year 1516 saving from the grant, levy,
and payment of the said tenth stc., as it more fully appears in the said writ of
the king hanging on the file of the year 1513.
The
goods, church possessions and benefices, in the diocese of St Davids which have
been diminished, impoverished, and other destroyed by wars, fires, ruins,
inundations of rivers and other misfortunes and chances deservedly to be excused
from payment of the same four tenths according to the force etc., of the grant
of the same by the authority of the said convocation follow and are these as
appears on the other part of the folio here following etc.
In the
archdeaconry of St Davids are excepted the churches here underwritten:-
In the
deanery of Pembroke the underwritten
churches are excepted
Nash
1518
Walter Wickes
Nash
Rector
1518
Apr 8 Philip
Eynon
Nash Rector
Acc/to
the Episcopal register of St Davids
there was a presentation to the parish Church of Nash otherwise Esse by
Margaret ap Oweyn, widow, relict of Thomas ap Oweyn, patroness by reason of the
nonage of her son Rhys ap Oweyn, the heir, her ward by grant of the King ( Henry
VII). On 8th April 1518 in the
aforesaid place he admitted one Sir Philip Eynion Chaplain of his diocese to the
parish Church of Nash otherwise Esse vacant by the death in the course of nature
of Sir Walter Wicks last and immediate rector.
1536 -
39 Nash Rectory taken by the Crown [Henry VIII]
from Priory of Pembroke
1542
Thomas Yonge Nash
Rector
1543
William Foland
Nasshe (Nash) Churchwarden
Pro 223/423
1543
Resson
Nasshe (Nash)
Churchwarden
1554
Oct 24 Phillipp Pyrry Nash
Rector
1570
Nash Church patron Rice ap Owen of Upton
who was Sheriff of Pembrokeshire in the reign of Elizabeth I
1576
David Philipps
Nash
Rector
1594
Nash Church patron Harry Bowen of Upton
1600
approx tenant of Nash manor was Henry Bowen
1626
Aug 28 William Wolfe
Nash
Rector
1637
Jul 3
Michael Barwicke
Nash
Rector
1669
Jul 5 Morgan
Davies
Nash
Rector
1670 Hearth Tax.
Browne George
hearth h2
Davids William
hearth h3
Gibbon
Elizabeth
hearth h2
Philip
Thomas
hearth h2
Powell
Henry
hearth h2
Young Phillip
hearth h1
1695
Jun 24 Howell Jones Nash
Rector
1700
Charles Owen son of Sir Hugh Owen
and Anne Married Dorothy
Corbett they had a son Wyrriot
1700£
Dorothy Corbett daughter of Erasmus Corbett married Charles Owen
1701
Feb 7 David Howells Nash
Rector
1708
Sep 24 Andrew Evans Nash
Rector
1715
John Roch was born at Nash Farm
1729,
40 53 Wyrriot Owen
lived at Nash married Anne
Barlow. He was
Pembroke Mayor
1729, 40 53
1729
Anne Barlow daughter of John Barlow of Lawrenny
married Wyrriot Owen of Nash
1742
Existing records of Baptisms and Burials start
1744
Existing records of Marriages start
1764
George Holcombe
Nash
Rector
1762
Erasmus Owen son of Charles
Owen of Nash, lived at Southwood Pems, he was Pembroke Mayor
and was also Captain of the Militia
1764
Oct 11 Joseph Hughes
Nash
Rector
1774
May 27 John Jordan
Nash
Rector
1790
Jan 25 John Rees
Nash
Rector
1796
Oct 5 Thomas Woods
Nash
Rector
1801
Sep 8 Evan Thomas
Nash
Rector
1810 Fenton.
On the
way from Pembroke to Tenby I visited the Church of Nash, to which Upton was a
chapel, where I have been informed there was an effigy of a Crusader. A great
rarity here.
The
Church of Nash, though certainly ancient as containing the remains of one of the
earliest followers of the crusades, and founded, no doubt, by the first baronial
possessor of Upton Castle, probably the Crusader himself, neither has, nor
appears to have had, any steeple, or other ornament whatever, being the meanest
religious structure I have seen in this Hundred. We found the knight of the
cross, disgracefully lying without the north church wall under the dripping of
the eves, amidst the rubbish of an aisle that, being grown ruinous was taken
down a few years ago by the patron of the living, and then Rector. The parts of
the figure were of good sculpture and the minute wire armour particularly well
executed. It was of purplish stone and
of large size; the face was entirely broken off.
On
examining the old man who had been employed to repair the Church and stop up the
doorway leading to the Chapel, I was told that the Palestine warrior originally
lay on a bench at the North end of the dilapidated aisle.
To the
discovery of his name and rank, there was nothing to help us; but the tradition
was that he died abroad and that his body was landed at Cosheston Pill, a little
below the Church and that he was an Admiral and a giant; the effigy giving some
countenance to the latter part of the story, being represented much above the
ordinary stature.
1827
Sep 18 James Robertson Holcombe
Nash
Rector
1831
Dec 6
William Paynter Evans
Nash
Rector
1834
- Topograpical Dictionary of Wales -
S Lewis.
NASH,
a parish partly in the hundred of CASTLE-MARTIN, and partly in that of NARBERTH
county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, 3
miles (N. E.) from Pembroke, containing 133 inhabitants.
This
parish, which is situated in the southern part of the county, and
near a small inlet from Milford Haven comprises but a moderate portion of
land, which is enclosed and in a good state of cultivation. The surrounding
scenery, though not distinguished by any striking peculiarity of feature, is
generally pleasing; and the adjacent country affords some interesting objects,
and some views which are not destitute of beauty. The great turnpike road
leading from Narberth to Pembroke passes through the southern part of the
parish. The living is a rectory, with
1842
Acc/to a letter PCRO HPR/15/17.
This
Church was repaired in the year 1842 by which means 59 additional sittings were
obtained and in consequence of a Grant from the Incorporated Society for
promoting the enlargement of buildings and the repair of Churches and chapels 63
sittings are hereby declared to be free and un-appropriated for ever. The
provision of Church-room previous to the alteration being to the extent of 28
appropriated sittings.
A plan
showing the number and situation of the free seats is fixed up in the Vestry
Room
W P Evans Minister
Robert White Churchwarden
(Plans
of the seating in the Church show that they were of the box type in the main as
they are today - extra seating was provided on the balcony and up by the pulpit
in-between it and the altar.)
While
this work was being carried out the register shows that services were held at
Upton.
1851
- Census of Religious Buildings PEMBROKE
(DISTRICT).
13
Nash Parish, with Upton Hamlet.
Area of Nash: 577 acres.
Population. 69 males, 63 females: total 132.
Area of Upton: 435acres.
Population. 10 males, 13 females: total 26.
NASH
PARISH CHURCH.
Endowed:
tithe £80, glebe £60.
Space:
free 63; other 70.
Present:
morning 70 + 8 scholars. Average: morning 80.
W. P.
Evans. Rector.
Lewis:
rectory with Upton annexed, rated at £6. 12. 8d net income, £130 with
glebe-house: patron, Rev. William Evans: tithes commuted for £80, glebe of 21
acres valued at, £55 per annum.
1
service in English.
Incumbent
legally not resident.
ICBS:
grant of £70 in 1841.
1882
Jan5 David
Edwards
Nash Rector
1883
May 16 David Davies
Nash Rector
1853
Jul 21 Hugh
Percy Thomas Nash Rector
RCAM.
The
Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Pem. 40 N.W.). Ded: St. Mary.
Diocese
and archdeaconry of St. Davids; rural deanery of Castle Martin.
This
is a modern church possessing nothing of archaeological interest. The 13-century
recumbent effigy of a knight, which formerly lay in the churchyard, neglected
and overgrown with moss (Glynne,
Notes, Arch. Camb., 1888, v 125, ill.), has been removed to Upton
Chapel (No. 1134, ). - Visited, 11th May 1922
Church Hill.
A
field a little over half a mile south-east of the parish church. It formerly
belonged to the rectory of Yerbeston, hence its name (Tithe Schedule, No. 102).
Acc/to
The Old Parish Churches of South West Wales - Mike Salter
1994.
Church
on ancient foundations but has been completely rebuilt and lack old features.
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
Rectory
of Nash or Esse, as it was called, was appendant to the manor of the same name,
which was owned in 1518 by the Bowen family of Upton, Pems., descended from Sir
James ap Owen of Pentre Ievan, in Nevern parish. The patron in 1570 was Rice ap
Owen of Upton. - Inq. P. of Rice ap Owen, 13 Eliz. In 1594 the patron was Harry
Bowen.
Under
the name, Ecclesia de Esse, this church was assessed in 1291 at £5 for tenths
to the King, the sun payable being 10s - Taxatio.
Nashe
et Ucton Rectoria. -Ecclesia tbidem ex collacione domirli de Ucton unde
Philippus Eynon clericus est rector habens ibidem mansionem et valent fructus
hujusmodi per annum vij. Unde sol in ol-dinaria visitacione quolibet tercio anno
ijd ob. Et ill visitacione arch diaconi pro sinodalibus et procuracioni-bus
quolibet anno iijs isd. Et pro pensione prioris Pembr per annum iijs iiijd Et
remanet clare £6 12s. 8d. Inde decima 13s. 3d. - Valor Eccl.
Under
the heading "Livings Discharged":-
Nash R. with Upton Ch. Ordinario quolibet tertio anno 2d. Archidiac quolibet
anno 3s. 9d. Pens. Pri. Pembr., 3s. 4d. John Bowen, Esq., 1708; Morris Bowen,
Esq., 1738; Thomas Skyrme and others, 1764, 1774. Clear yearly value, £30.
Kings Books, £6 12s. 8d. - Bacons
Liber Regis.
The
Chapelry of Upton was subordinate to Nash, and from the earliest recorded
institution the incumbent of Nash has invariably held Upton.
Acc/to
the Land Tax Records 1791.
Nash
Bank
Lewis
Rev Owen (owner)
Nash
Bank
Thomas
George (tenant)
Nash
Blackberry
Roch
Nicholas (owner)
Nash
Cart House Croft
Bowen
Rev. (owner)
Nash
Cart House Croft
Thomas
George (tenant)
Nash
Church Hills
Holcombe
Rev. William (tenant)
Nash
Church Hills
King
Rev. (owner)
Nash
Colliers Croft
Gwyther
Thos (tenant)
Nash
Colliers Croft
Hicks
Rev. Philomon (owner)
Nash
Common Lays
Leach
Abraham (owner)
Nash
Common Lays
Roch
John (tenant)
Nash
Crafty Corner
Leach
Abraham (owner)
Nash
Crafty Corner
Roch
John (tenant)
Nash
East Ashwell
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
East Croft
Holcombe
Rev. William (tenant)
Nash
East Croft
Lewis
Rev. (owner)
Nash
Glebe & Tythe
Rees
Rev. John (owner)
Nash
Green Hill
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Green Hill
Jarmain
Thomas (tenant)
Nash
Little Croft
Hicks
Rev. James (owner)
Nash
Little Croft
Thomas
George (tenant)
Nash
Lodge
Gwyther
Henry (tenant)
Nash
Lodge
Hicks
Hannah (owner)
Nash
Lower Nash
Leach
Abraham (owner)
Nash
Lower Nash
Roch
John (tenant)
Nash
Meadows
Davies
Mary (tenant)
Nash
Meadows
Mears
Hugh (owner)
Nash
Middle Farm
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Middle Farm
Lloyd
John (tenant)
Nash
North Park
John
Ansolm (tenant)
Nash
North Park
Roch
Nicholas (owner)
Nash
Old Park
George
Thomas (tenant)
Nash
Old Park
Walters
Rev. (owner)
Nash
Petty Lands
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Rock
Roberts
Rev. Nicholas (owner)
Nash
Rock
Williams
William (tenant)
Nash
South Pit
Holcombe
Rev William (owner)
Nash
South Pit
Lewis
Henry (tenant)
Nash
Strawberry Hill
Hancock
Rev. Thomas (owner)
Nash
Tanzoy
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Two Hills
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Nash
Upper Nash
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
West Ashwell
Hancock
Rev. Thomas (owner)
Nash
West Croft
Davies
Rev. (owner)
Nash
West Croft
Holcombe
Rev. William (tenant)
Nash
West Hill
Barger
Philip (tenant)
Nash
West Hill
Holcombe
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Winters Hall
Evans
Rev. William (owner)
Nash
Winters Hall
Gwyther
Thomas (tenant)
Nevern
(083401)
[Jottings]
(I spent many happy hours here in the caravan).
Brynach,
an early Christian married the local chiefs daughter and founded a holy place by
the stream. There he buried his brother in law Maelgwyn. The memorial stone is
written in Latin and Ogham, the family therefore must have had Irish
connections. Also a burial memorial to a retired Roman Soldier lies near, plus a
fragment of another. Four more early Christian monuments lie either in the
church or churchyard.
The
Church has a squat Norman Tower 12c but was restored in 1864 and 1952. Shiela na
gig fertility figurine in the wall.
The
bleeding yews in churchyard will bleed till
One of
the prettiest hamlets in Pembrokeshire. There is an interesting motte and bailey
castle on the river spur above the hamlet but the focus of interest lies in the
beautiful grouping of church, vicarage, old school, bridge inn (the Trewern
Arms) and cottages around the river; and fields, paddocks and wooded slopes are
essential parts of the settlement. The church, with its squat Norman tower, is
full of interest. In the churchyard the massive St. Brynachs Cross (dating from
the 10th century AD) is much photographed, while visitors also flock to see the
famous bleeding yew trees which shade the path to the church door. Outside the
churchyard gate there is a mounting-block for horsemen, and halfway up the hill
to the west there is an ancient pilgrims cross engraved in the solid rock on
pilgrims route to St Davids and a set of steps cut into the rock each have a
small cross cut in them.
Acc/to
The old Parish Churches of South West Wales
by Mike Salter 1994.
The
long nave and chancel may be of the 15c as no features are earlier than that.
There are transeptal chapels on each side, that on the south being rib-vaulted
in two bays. The pier and two arches are Victorian insertions below a wider,
flatter original single arch. Two chapel windows have an Ogham stone and another
tomb-stone as sills. The west tower is 16c. Some restoration was carried out in
1863. South of the church is a very fine Celtic Cross of c1000.
Castell
Nanhyfer Nevern Castle
(083402)
Early
iron Age fort.
Ditch
and bank defences c350BC used by the Irish rulers of the area. Clethyr, father in
law of St Brynach was one.
1080
in Welsh hands
1100
original seat of the Marcher Lordship of Kemes. Motte and bailey castle built by
Robert Fitzmartin (Martin de Tours,
Martin Turribus) who married Matilda daughter of a local
chieftain. Part of her property was 230 acres of fine hunting
land at Moylegrove. Grandson William who married daughter of Lord Rhys
was driven from Nevern by Rhys in 1215 and moved to Newport were they built a
new castle; reputedly with money paid by the King of England for murdering a
troublesome Welsh local chieftain.
Once
the administrative and religious centre of Cemais.
Trewern
- a Jacobean mansion.
Cwmgloyn
has a Jacobean staircase.
Llwyngwair
Manor dates from medieval
times.
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
The
vicarage of Nevern originally belonged to the Lord of Kemes. In 1326 the
advowson, then of the annual value of 24 marks, formed part of the knights fees
assigned to James de Audele, kinsman and coheir of William, son of William
Martin, late Lord of Kemes deceased. - Pat. Rolls.
On 28
Aug., 1377, Nicholas de Audele [son of the above mentioned James de Audele]
obtained licence from the King to alienate in mortmain the advowson of the
church of Nevern in Wales to Adam Houghton, Bishop of St Davids, who, at the
same time, was granted license to appropriate the Church. - Pat. Rolls. 1380,
Bishop Adam Houghton united Nevern and other churches, and appropriated them to
the chantry of St. Mary at St Davids, subject to the annual payment of £10
towards the fabric of the Cathedral. It appears that the Bishop did not obtain
the necessary licence for this grant to the chantry, as on 28 Feb., 1389, the
master and chaplain of the chantry, at the intercession of William, Archbishop
of Canterbury, and on payment of 40 marks, obtained pardon for this breach of
the law. - Pat. Rolls.
On the
dissolution of the chantry of St. Mary, the church of Nevern came into the hands
of the Crown from whom on 2 Dec., 1596, a lease of the rectory was obtained by
Thomas Birt, Robert Birt, and John Birt, junior, for their lives at the annual
rent of £33 13s. 4d. and a fine of £13 6s. 8d. - State Papers.
In
1291 this Church with its Chapel was assessed at £16 for tenths to the King. - Taxatio.
Neverne.
- Vicaria ibidem ex callacione collegii Beate Marie prope Meneven unde Ovnus
Davy clericus est vicarius valet porcio ejusdem vicarii £8. Inde decima 16s. - Valor
Eccl.
Under
the heading “Livings Discharged”:- Nearne alias Newerne alias Nyfer alias
Nevern V. (St Brynach).
There
are no fewer that eight pilgrimage chapels in Nevern parish mentioned in George
Owens list, most of which were then in ruins. Their names were Capell St.
Thomas, Capell St. Fredde, Capell Gwenfrdn, Capell Wenddith, Capell Reall,
Capell Sadric, Capell Kilgwin, and Capell St. George.
Capell
Kilgwin, now called Cilgwyn, is dedicated to St. Mary, and is now annexed to the
vicarage of Nevern to which living it appears to have been united as far back as
1291, as in the Vetus Valor [Taxation of Pope Nicholas] the valuation of
Navam cum Capella is stated
to be £16.
Acc/to
Church Guide book.
The
Church is cruciform in plan, that is to say it is in the form of a cross laid
flat on the ground to remind us of the crucifixion of our Lord. The transepts
(or crossings) form the arms of the cross at the east end of the Nave (literally
The Ship, so called from its long shape). Looking eastward the visitor will
notice a feature common to many ancient churches: the chancel (from the Latin
cancelli, meaning the lattices of the former rood screens) is out of alignment
with the nave, having a distinct offset to the south. Some believe that this was
done to symbolise the inclination of our Lords head on the cross, though an
inclination to the north would accord better with traditional representations. A
more probable explanation is that when the chancel was rebuilt, or enlarged, the
work was done while the old chancel was still standing and it would be difficult
to take accurate measurements. The offset is only one degree though it appears
to be more. It has some aesthetic value as varying the perspective.
THE
GENERAL STRUCHURE.
The
Tower is Norman but the remainder is late perpendicular, 1425-1525. The Church
was restored in 1864. The tower was repaired and the church reconditioned and
redecorated in 1952.
THE NAVE.
There
are two transeptal chapels, both of considerable interest. That on the south is
the Trewern-Henllys Chapel, so named after the residencies of the families
buried in the vault beneath. On the eastern wall there is a brass tablet to
George Owen of Henllys, Lord Marcher of the Barony of Cemais, Elizabethan
historian and geologist. The stone vaulting of the roof is the only one of its
kind in Pembrokeshire.
In the
window sills are embedded two stone slabs, found by the Cambrian Archaeological
Association in 1906 in the walls of the passage leading to the Priests chamber
over the chapel.
The Maglocunus Stone.
This
irregularly-shaped inscribed stone is 62 1/2 inches long but a portion of the
left end has been broken off.
The
inscriptions are considered to be as follows:
Latin.
MAGLOCVNI (miscut MAGLOCVVI) FILI CLSTOR—
Ogham.
MAGLICUNAS MAQI CLUTAR [I] (read right to left).
The
meaning of both is (THE MONUMENT) OF MAGLOCUNUS (MAELGWN) SON OF CLUTORIUS.
The
date may be the 5th century, A.D.
The
Ogham inscription is in the Irish branch of the Celtic language, called Goidelic,
then predominant in parts of Wales. Maqi is the genitive singular of the Gaelic
Mac, the Welsh equivalent being (M)ab or ap. The letters in the oldest Ogham
inscriptions are made, as here, by strokes or notches on either side of, or
across, the edge of a stone. The bilingual monuments helped to provide the key
to the Ogham alphabet.
The Cross stone.
This
slab is 62 inches long by 12 inches wide. It bears a cross in slight relief
which has some unusual features.
At the
base there are two cords, or ribbons, which run parallel to each other for about
one foot and then diverge for a similar distance. Near the base each cord has a
short branch shooting upward on its right side. The meaning of this digression
is not known. At two feet the cords divide. This treatment, of two cords growing
out of one, is not usual in early work and would alone suggest an advanced date.
From the four cords a knot is formed in a manner unusual and altogether
different from the character of the ornament commonly met with on Celtic
crosses.
Above
the knot the four cords reunite into two, intersect, and then continue upwards
to frame the large triangular head, within which there is a triquetrous, or
three stemmed, ornament.
The
cross-arms end in triangular patterns which are similar to, but smaller than,
the head. The arms are firmed by a separate cord which interlaces with the cords
of the main stem.
The
Priests Chamber.
A
turret staircase leads from the chapel to a low room, 27 feet by 12 feet,
lighted by a circular quatrefoil window in the east wall. These chambers are a
fairly common feature of old churches and seem to have been used for various
purposes. Sometimes there was an altar but more often the room was used for
living purposes either by a priest or by a guardian of the Church. Small
meetings were also held there.
The
Glasdir Chapel.
The
chapel on the north is called the Glasdir Chapel the only remaining evidence
that it was used as such are the two recesses in the wall. These were obviously
piscinas, or stone basins, for disposing of the water used in cleaning the
vessels at Holy Communion. In more recent times this chapel was used as a
vestry.
THE
CHANCEL.
On
either side are two sepulchral recesses, lighted by narrow pointed windows, a
characteristic feature of Pembrokeshire churches. That on the north contains the
organ In the southern recess there is an east window with a pleasing example of
modern glass. By the altar there is an arch-pointed piscine.
A
Missing Stone.
Before
the restoration of 1864 there was a stone slab, about 10 feet by 3 feet,
embedded in the pavement on the north of the chancel. On it was inscribed a
Greek cross, an early relic of British Christianity. This stone has disappeared
but a full description of it exists and a sketch, made by a parishioner in 1861,
has been preserved. A photograph of this sketch hangs on the Vestry screen.
THE
TOWER.
A
pointed arch opens from the nave to the Norman tower, a massive structure
extending the full width of the Church. In the west wall there is a four light
window. A flight of sixty turret steps leads to the battlemented roof. In the
upper storey there are six melodious bells, all dating from 1763. The ringing
chamber is situated on the first floor.
The
Church Plate.
The
Church Plate is valuable, patens and a chalice having been presented by
parishioners in 1696, 1733 and 1784.
Tile
list of vicars dates from 1514 and the registers from 1653.
A WALK
ROUND OUTSIDE.
The
Site.
Celtic
Chieftains and Priests were of similar status and it was customary for the
chieftain to grant to the Priest a piece of ground as a sacred enclosure, or
Llan, a rill of water forming a convenient boundary between them: the water was
used also for both sacred and secular purposes. This seems to have been the
arrangement at Nevern, with the Chieftains stronghold on the hill to the west, a
boundary provided by the brook Caman, and the Llan comprising the ground within
the wall of the old graveyard.
It is
recorded in the Life of St Brynach, in the
The
Vitallanus Stone.Immediately to the east of the porch there is another bilingual
stone which may date from the 5th century and be one of the oldest examples of
this type of monument. A sketch in the British Museum made about 1698 by Edward
Lhuyd, Keeper of the Ashrnolean Museum, Oxford, shows that there has been no
change in either the size of the stone of the legibility of the faint lettering
since that date. The inscriptions are:
Latin.
VlTALIANI EMERETO
Ogham.
VITALLANI.
In
Latin and Ogham alike the meaning is (THE MONUMENT OF VITALIANUS). EMERETO is
unexplained, but is conceivably a territorial adjective. Alternatively it may be
a corrupt and ungrammatical derivative of Emeritus, discharged with honour.
Corbel
and Old Windows.
In the
wall of the Church above the Vitalianus stone there is a slightly defaced corbel
with male mask. On the west and south walls of the Trewern Chapel can be seen
traces of reconstruction and of old windows. There is a Cross over the central
southern buttress.
The
Great Cross.
This
famous Celtic Cross has often been described and is one of the most perfect
specimens of its kind, being equalled only by two other crosses in Wales, namely
by that at Carew, Pembrokeshire, and by the Macn Achwynfan in Flintshire.
The
total height is 13 feet, the cross being 24 l/2 inches in diameter.
On
each of the four sides are compartments which contain a differently arranged
ribbon, the endless interlacing symbol of eternity. Two compartments on the east
each contain a primitive form of cross, the angulated arms indicating rotation
against the sun.
A
curious error of the sculptor in this pattern will be noticed, the upper cross
having the angulated end of its left upper arm reversed. The ingenious manner in
which the adjoining ornament has been modified will be observed.
On the
east and west sides are abbreviated inscriptions in the peculiar alphabet found
in the earliest British writings, dns certainly stands for dominus, Lord, and
Professor R. A. S. Macalister suggests that the other inscription might be
extended to Halleluiah, alleluias.
On the
patron day, 7th April, the cuckoo is said to have perched on this stone, Mass
being delayed till the call was heard. On one occasion the bird was late and,
being scarce able once to sound the note, presently fell dead. The chronicler, George
Owen, adds: this vulgar tale, although it concerns in some sort church
matters, you may either believe or not, without peril of damnation. The Cross
was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1950.
IN THE
CHURCHYARD.
Proceeding
eastwards the curious may care to read the following epitaph on a wall tombstone
in the second enclosed graveyard:
Anna
Letitia and George, infant children of the Rev. D. Griffiths, Vicar 1783 - 1834.
following
epitaph on a wall tombstone in the second enclosed graveyard:
They tasted of lifes’ bitter cup,
Refused to drink the potion up,
But turned their little heads aside
Disgusted with the taste, and died.
Just
beyond is the memorial to the Rev. John Jones, M.A., whose bardic title was
Tegid; Vicar 1842 - 1852; Poet, scholar and Patriot. He assisted Lady Charlotte
Guest to render a part of The Mabinogion into English. From his grave there is a
restful view of Carn Ingli, the mountain to the south.
Imperfect
Incised Stone.
On the
north wall of the church there is a faintly lettered fragment of stone in the
west corner of the sill of the second chancel window. In 1860 this was noted as
being in the south wall when there were three more letters.
Consecration
Cross.
Outside
the east wall of the Glasdir Chapel is an incised cross, obviously of great
antiquity: there is little doubt that it is a Consecration Cross. The
consecration of Churches is an elaborate ceremonial dating back to the Primitive
Church, an important part of which is the placing of Crosses on the walls, both
inside and outside. Robanus Maurus (A.D. 788 - 856) observes that the crosses on
the walls of the Church, with their lighted tapers, recall the walls of the
heavenly Jerusalem, on whose foundations were inscribed the names of the twelve
Apostles of the Lamb who were sent to enlighten the world.
The
Outside Of The Tower.
On the
north wall can be seen the protuberance of the turret staircase. From the west
end there is a good view of the stepped buttresses which reach almost to the
battlement parapet.
The
Yew Tree Avenue.
Leaving
the churchyard by the avenue of ancient yews, memories come of the use which the
Welsh made of these sinewy trees in the days of archery, and of how the English
learnt from them the use of the long bow, used with such effect at Crecy and
Agincourt.
The
Entrance Gate.
Between
the pillars there was a wrought-iron grid over which animals would not pass, so
allowing the gate to remain open. This has now been removed but another exists
at the eastern entrance. It seems that the use of animal grids was known here
well over a century ago, and possibly much earlier.
The
Mounting Blocks.
On the
right is a mounting block, one of two left in Pembrokeshire. This is a relic of
the times when parishioners rode to church and of the sequel to a Welsh wedding
when the bridegroom and bride rode assay on one horse pursued by mounted guests.
It is related that a husband reproved his wife for tearing her habit when
dismounting with the words, Madam, rend your heart and not your garments.
The
New Churchyard.
This
is over the road. The iron gate was presented by a parishioner and bears the
date l810. It is made of wrought iron and does not rust.
The
Pilgrims Cross.
Up the
hill to the west a stile at the hair-pin bend leads to a path which passes below
the Pilgrims Cross, some 30 yards on. The cross is cut in relief in the living
rock and below it is a kneeling recess with a small incised cross. It was
probably a wayside shrine on the pilgrim’s way from Holywell to St. Davids and
is now almost unique. In 1949 it was scheduled under the Ancient Monuments
Protection Act.
Nevern
Castle Site.
Further
up the hill on the right can be seen traces of the stronghold which once existed
here.
Summary.
The
late Professor Sir John Rhys stated of Nevern that such a group of antiquities
at one small centre is very remarkable and suggested that more may yet be found.
Pentre
Evan.
In
this parish there is a megalithic tomb which is scheduled as a national monument
as it is probably the finest example of its class in Great Britain. It is also
interesting from its proximity to the Preseli Mountains, whence were taken the
famous bluestones to form two of the inner circles at Stonehenge. How, or why,
these stones were moved some 206 miles are matters of conjecture.
[See
paper read to the Society of Antiquities of London on l9th of April, 1923, by Mr
H. H. Thomas, D.Sc., Petrologist to the Geological Surrey, and Early Britain, by
Jacquetta Hawkes, published 1945 (Collins). The evidence can be studied in the
museum at Salisbury.]
400 -
500 A.D.
The
period of the last stages of Roman influence and the probable date of the
bilingual stones.
Of
Irish birth, he came to Pembrokeshire with a Breconshire chieftain whose
daughter, Cymorth, he had married. Here he founded a number of churches, of
which Nevern, then called Nanhyfer, was the principal.
According
to legend this Celtic Saint lived the life of a hermit on Carn Ingli where
Angels ministered to his spiritual wants. Hence the name is thought to be
derived from Mons Angelorum or Carn Engylion, the Mount of Angels (cr Engleberg,
Switzerland) Ireland can be seen from the summit on a clear day so it is easy to
understand the close communion which existed between the two countries.
600 -
1000 A.D.
Through
the mists of these times there emerge the flames of local chieftains such as
Meurig (Meyrick) of the Arthurian tales, and Cuhelyn.
They
seem to have had their headquarters at Nevern, in the stronghold on the top of
the hill to the west. The Church appears to have been well endowed by them as
the parish is the largest in the county.
In the
ninth century the Vikings made extensive raids on these coasts, pillaging St.
David’s Cathedral.
1000
A.D.
The
Great Celtic Cross was probably erected about this time. The workmanship is a
rough guide to the date.
1100 -
1200A.D.
Parts
of the tales of Welsh folklore, known as the Mabinogion have this district as
their background. They were first written down about 1200 A.D.
1081 -
1100 A.D. - The Normans.
William
the Conqueror visited St. Davids in 1081, ostensibly as a pilgrim, and
worshipped at the shrine. It seems likely that he came by way of Dynevor Castle,
Carmarthenshire, the seat of the Lord Rhys, ruler of south-west Wales, who is
Defeating
the local tribesmen, they made Nevern their headquarters, finding the existing
Celtic stronghold ready to hand and suitable for their purpose. This they
improved and strengthened, though it is uncertain whether they built a castle,
such remains as still exist being only the leavings of the Stone-quarrying
activities of subsequent generations.
Nevern
was their headquarters for about 100 years! There being a chief local
magistrate, called a Portreeve, with a court for hearing cases, and eighteen
Burgesses who held land from the Lord Marcher on a special tenure. The size of
the Church shows its importance.
1200
A.D.
The
Normans moved their headquarters to Newport, some two miles away, after which
Nevern declined in importance and records become scarce.
1291
A.D.
In
this year there was a valuation by Pope Nicholas IV for a Crusade.
Nevern,
with its Chapel of Cilgwyn, was assessed at £16, which was double that of any
other church in the Deanery of Cemais.
This
appears to be the first mention of Cilgwyn as belonging to Nevern. The present
Church was built in 1884, on the site of an earlier building. A remnant of this
may be an early Christian inscribed stone, probably a gravestone of the 7th/9th
centuries, in the wall on the N.E. corner of the Church.
1377
A.D.
The
right of presentation of the living, the advowson, was either granted or sold by
Sir Nicholas de Audley, Lord of Cemais, to Adam Holton, Bishop of St. Davids,
who appropriated it to his College of St. Mary at St. Davids.
1425 -
1525 A.D.
As
already stated, the general architecture of the Church, except the tower, is
late perpendicular, so presumably the nave and chancel were reconstructed at
this time.
1514 A
D.
The
first vicar of whom there is record, John Batty, appears in this year. He was
succeeded in August by Thomas ap David ap Jenkyn, presented by the College of
St. Mary at St. Davids.
1534
A.D. As vicar he signed the abjuration of Papal authority.
1596
A.D.
The
Crown sold a lease of the rectory to Thomas, Robert and Henry Birt for their
lives at the annual rental of £33 13s 4d and a fine of £13 6s 8d.
1600
A.D.
George
Owen of Henllys, Lord Marcher, wrote on the history and geology of Pembrokeshire
about this time. He recorded eight pilgrims chapels in the parish, then mostly
in ruins. All traces of these have now been lost, with one possible exception in
Roft-y-Capel at Capel Cynon, near Cilgwyn.
1763
A.D.
The
Church Bells were presented by the vicar and others
1772/88
A.D. John Wesley records in his diary that he stayed with Mr Bowen at Llwyngwair
in this parish on seven occasions.
William
Williams of Pantycelyn is said to have written at the Welsh hymn Llwyngwair at
this time:
Dros y
bryniau tywyll, niwlog.
Tawel,
fenaid, edrych draw
O'er those gloomy hills of darkness,
Look my soul . . .
Carn
Ingli and the Preselis, in certain moods, may well have inspired the author.
l864.
A.D. The Church was restored.
1879
A.D.
The
Chapel of Bayvil, formerly with Moylegrove, was transferred to Nevern.
1920
A.D.
The
brass tablet in the Glasdir Chapel and the Organ were presented by parishioners
and friends as a War Museum to the fallen and survivors. The memorials were
dedicated and unveiled by the Lord Bishop of St. Davids on 11th November, 1920.
1951/52
The
Tower and Church were repaired and restored at a cost of over £2,000. The Lord
Bishop of St. Davids conducted a thanksgiving service on 26th November, 1952.
1956
(August 29th) Visit of the Cambrian Archaeological Association.
Dedication
of Electric Lighting, Heating and Church-wardens Wands.
1967
(May)
The
Ribs supporting the stone vaulting of the roof of Trewern Chapel were made safe
and secure by stitching with bronze dowels.
Newcastle
Emlyn Castle.
The
In
1287, another Welshman, Rhys ap Maredudd, escaping from the siege of Dryslwyn
Castle, again evaded the English forces here and turned the tables by capturing the
leader of the English garrison. An enormous effort was put into a second siege,
and eventually the castle was taken. Five years later the royal garrison
deserted but local officials held the castle until Rhys was finally defeated and
killed.
Newcastle
was rebuilt soon afterward, and a new town was founded outside its walls. Only
parts of the castle gatehouse still remain standing, though its plan shows that
the castle must have resembled those in better condition at Carreg Cennen and
Laugharne. In the inner ward, tapering to the point of the ridge, some
foundations of the hall and chapel can be traced. We know that in 1340 the hall
had a shingled roof and wooden gutters; 200 years later the roofs were slate,
and the gutters lined with lead
The
town was half destroyed by Owain Glyndwr in 1403, and the castle was held by the
Crown in 1531 (see Carew
Castle). During the Civil Wars the local Royalists retreated to the castle and
inflicted a severe defeat on their opponents. But after the general surrender in
these parts, the castle was blown up to make it untenable should fighting have
broken out again.
In care of the local authority.
Newgale
Nowadays
a favourite holiday resort, with caravanners, campers and day trippers flocking
in to enjoy the two miles of firm, golden sand. The massive storm-beach, made of
pebbles from far and wide, is more interesting than the beach, and at times of
severe winter weather remnants of the ancient submerged forest may be stripped
clear of their covering of sand. This high pebble storm bank covers remains of
the old village that was washed away during a storm in 1895.
Previously
was a coal mining centre with 26 collieries in the 19c. In the cliffs around
can be seen the remains of medieval coal shafts.
The
valley running inland has marked the position of the Landsker line for many
centuries.
Acc/to
The old Parish Churches of South West Wales -
by Mike Salter 1994.
Just a
faint hollow now marks the site of this small chapel. In the early 19c Richard
Fenton described it as long and
narrow and built of beach pebbles and mortar.
This
ruined chapel was built on the place were St Caradoc’s body was rested on its
journey to St David’s 1124.
New
Moat
New Moat lies eight miles north-east of Haverfordwest and is now little more than a village with a scattering of houses around St Nicholas church and traces of an old motte. During the 14th century, however, this was a manor of the Bishops of St David’s, who were responsible for erecting the stronghold and fostering the development of a not insignificant borough.
The
remains of the motte, now no more than 10.5 metres in height can be seen on the east
side of the main road facing Beech Court. There
are no signs of any masonry, and it is unlikely that the castle was ever built
in stone. The bailey can be detected to the west and north and was formerly
mistaken for the remains of a Roman camp, being so marked on the 1907 edition of
the Ordnance Survey map.
The
name of New Moat, however, does imply the existence of an earlier structure
which has been variously identified as nearby Henrys Moat or the camp of Rhyd y
Brwyn. Equally this may be an allusion to The Mote which the 1907 map records
south-west of the church beyond Awel y Coed Farm This is still partly visible
and traces of the outer bailey in the form of a shallow ditch and low outer bank
cutting diagonally across the field can be seen running in a north-easterly
direction towards the church. These defences appear to have been earlier and
distinct from those associated with the Episcopal borough of the 14th century,
but, unfortunately, neither fortification has any recorded history.
It
seems likely that the old motte gave protection to a small burgess community
which was later expanded by the bishops of St David’s.
Adam de Rupes foundation charter to Pill Priory c.1200 indicates that the church was already standing, while he also granted inter aria in the township of New Moat a burgage by the East Gate and one burgage on the north side. The reference to the East Gate is particularly interesting since it suggests that this early vill was defended, perhaps lying within the bailey walls as at Dryslwyn.
During
the late 13th and early 14th centuries, associated with the buildings of the
Bishops motte, new tenants were encouraged to take up burgages and the borough
came into being. In 1291 a twice yearly fair was granted at Michaelmas and on
the feast of St Nicholas and by 1326 the burgesses total had risen to 42 holding
89 p1ots. They were overwhelmingly English, and they held their lands by deed
which suggests that the settlement was still comparatively recent.
There
is little in the appearance of modern New Moat to indicate the site of this
borough, but it is unlikely to have corresponded with the village before 1200
and the old motte south of the church. Indeed, the construction of a new
stronghold only 500m further north suggests a new location, and the indications
are to the area of what is now pasture immediately across the road. There are
several earth works in this area together with what appear to be house
platforms, while the field boundaries run parallel to the road, but set back,
which suggests the perimeter of the settlement.
Nothing
is known of the later history of New Moat or of the circumstances which led to
its decline and virtual disappearance.
Later
the Scourfield Family became prominent. They were a local family who allegedly
got their riches through the result of a whippet race and had one on their coat
of arms. In vault under the church lead coffins were found and at foot of one a
skeleton of a whippet.
Acc/to
The Monasticm Order in South Wales
1066 -1348 F G Cowley.
Pill
Priory founded by Adam de Roche around c1200 and Caldy
founded by Geva
mother of Robert fitz Martin founded between 1113 and 1115
were attached to St Dogmaels
belonging
to Pill
New
Moat
£4 13s
4d
The
Church St Nicholas was already standing in c1200 according to Adam de Rupes
foundation charter to Pill Priory he also granted, inter alia
in the township of New Moat a Burgage by the East Gate and one on the
north side indicating that the early
vill was defended and appears to have had walls - bailey walls.
But by
the 14c the manor belonged to the
Bishops of St Davids.
Extent
of the Lands of the Bishopric of St Davids 1327
-- Pro E 152 No 16.
NOVA
MOTA (New Moat, N.Pembs.)
Item,
there is at the manor of Nova Mota a certain messuage worth none per annum
because it is ruinous. One carucate of land worth 20s. per annum. There is a
certain water mill farmed of old at
14s. paid at the Feasts of the Nativity of Our Lord and St. John Baptist, in
equal portions. A certain meadow valued 5s annum. There are no woods nor several
pastures. Rents of assize of freemen £4. 2s 0d. per annum, paid at the Feasts
of the Nativity of Our Lord and St. John Baptist.
Pleas
and perquisites of court, worth 2s per annum.
Acc/to
The old Parish Churches of South West Wales
by Mike Salter 1994
St
Nicholas.
The
tower is old but the nave, north aisle, chancel, and north chapel were rebuilt
in the 19c. There is an altar tomb of William Scourfield
d 1621
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
The
church of St. Nicholas de Nova Mota [New Moat] was granted by Adam de Rupe [Roch],
with the consent of his wife Blandina and his heir, to the priory of Pill or
Pulla, and on the dissolution of that house came into the hands of the Crown.
The patronage was afterwards acquired by the Scourfield family of New Moat. In
1622 it was owned by William Scourfield - P. M. Of William Scourfield, 20 Jac.
I.
Described
as Ecclesia de Nova Mota, this church was in 1291 assessed for tenths to the
King, the amount payable being 8s 4d. – Taxatio.
Nova
Mota.—Prior de Pulla rector ibidem tenet dictam ecclesiam sibi et
successoribus suis appropriatam et habet ibidem unam mansionem cum certis terris
eidem annexatis que valent per annum yjd Viijd. Et quandam mansionem vicarie
ibidem cum certis terris eidem pertinentibus. Et valet fructus hujusmodi
ecclesie clare communibus annis predicto priori et vicario ibidem curam gerente
i iiijd. Inde sol annuatim in visitacione archidiaconi pro sinodalibus et
procuracionibus vB ixd. Et remanet clare 44s. 7d. Inde decima 4s. 5d. - Valor
Eccl.
Under
the heading "Livings remaining in
Charge":- New Mote R. (St. Nicholas). Syn. and Prox. Archidiac., 5s. 8d. Prior
de Pulla Rector appropriat. sibi et success. suis. William Scourfield, Esq.
Kings Books, £2 4s.7d. Yearly tenths, 4s. 5d. - Bacon's Liber Regis.
On 7
July, 1884, a faculty was granted for the restoration of the parish church.
Acc/to Major Francis Jones -
Historic Houses of Pembrokeshire.
Ffynnon Gain (New
Moat).
Now a farmstead to the south of New Moat village, on a
steep slope to the north of Bletherston village. In 1326 it was described as a
Knights fee divisible according to Welsh tenure; it was held by Philip Brown who
owned Fonnon Keyng and Castel Kymer being two carucates held of the fee of New
Moat. On Rees 14th century map it is marked as a Welsh knights fee.
It later passed to the Philipps family, a branch of Penty park. In 1638 John Philipps of Ffynnongain served as High Sheriff. He was inordinately attached to his money which he carried around in a red bag which earned him the nickname - Shon bwtsh goch - (John of the red pouch). He also owned Haythog, and his son William of that place was High Sheriff in 1646. Ffynnongain was acquired by the Scourfields of New Moat, and Henry Scourfield was owner in 1786. By 1873 the owner of Ffynnongain (132 acres) was W. G. Purser. Some 600 yards from the house was a holy well believed to possess healing qualities.
Lies
on Fishguard to Cardigan Road where the River Nevern flows into Cardigan Bay.
Once
the chief centre of the barony of Cemais, this is a Norman town in the heart of
the Welshry with a Norman castle (much modified and now used as a private
residence), the church (with a solid Norman tower) and the old mills which used
to depend upon water power. The town dates from the late12th century and the
regularity of its street-pattern confirms the documentary evidence that this
was a planted borough created within the lordship of Cemaes.
It is
not known if this new borough displaced an existing Welsh vill as was sometimes
the case. The traditional Welsh name for
The
The
town was given a charter before 1215 by William de Tours who built the Anglo
Norman Borough and ancient traditions are still preserved. This Charter was
confirmed by his son Nicholas and gave the burgesses the right to appoint a
Mayor in consultation with the Lady or Lord Marcher, an unique privilege which
continues to this day.
The
Court Leet meets regularly, and the Mayor has to perform various duties during
the year. One of these is to ensure that the parish boundaries are in order, and
the annual Beating of the Bounds ceremony takes place during August.
The Newport
area is well blessed with prehistoric monuments and remains. Iron age camps,
Flint working sites the remains of a drowned forest of 5000 BC and
the cromlech called Carreg Coetan which is
located in the town, incongruously fenced off at the edge of a small housing
estate.
Parrog
is a part of Newport tourist industry which
is now of great importance to Newport, and the town is able to capitalise on its
wonderful scenic resources - river estuary, Traeth Mawr (the finest sandy beach
on the North Pembs. coast), sand dunes, magnificent sea cliffs, wooded valleys, and
the rocky eminence of Carningli as a backdrop.
Newport,
ranked among the largest of the medieval Welsh towns functioning as the head of
the independent lordships of Cemaes. The lords exercised jura regalia rights
within their own territory and their own gaol and gallows were located just
beyond the town near Cnwcau Farm on the Penfeidr road.
A
borough rental of 1324 realised 46s., which, if the burgages were let at the
standard 1s. each, meant only 46 plots but there are reasons for assuming that
this was a serious underva1uation as
one hundred years later and extent of 1434-8 gives a detailed list of the
burgesses and their holdings and what street the plots were on. There were a
total of 223 plots, 20 of the south side of West Street beginning near the
stream called Warentrelak and running east towards the castle; 20 off Bridge
Street; 24 along Goat Street; and 11 along Vicus Mabudrud, Long Street 88, and
St Marys St 59.
The
lords mill, mentioned in 1275, stands along the Afon Felin immediately below the
castle, while on the east side St. Marys churchyard was originally much smaller
and burgages lined its northern edge. Adjoining was the old vicarage, known
locally as The Court, which remained until 1800 although some vestiges were
still visible 30 years later when Lewis visited the town. North-west of the
church at the junction of Church Street and Bridge Street stood the small
market-place, while immediately north on the west side of Long Street was the
town hall, although the building had ceased to be used for administrative
purposes by the late 16th century. Finally, at the end of West Street, near
By
1594 all but 50 of the 233 burgages recorded in 1434 had fallen into decay and
stood untenanted, even the towns weekly market had ceased to be held. The
reasons behind this sudden decline are unclear, and the evidence conflicts with
the traditional view of 16th-century Newport as the centre of an important woollen industry with its port. The development
of Fishguard during this period is said to have resulted from the migration of
many Newport inhabitants fleeing from plague, and although the story has been
described as a myth there may well be much truth in it, particularly since
another outbreak recorded in 1665 (see plague at Haverfordwest and Dale and the
bodies found at the building of the Cleddau Bridge) was sufficiently severe to
cause the removal of the revived market to a village four miles away, where it
was still being held in 1714.
The
first Norman invader in north Pembrokeshire was Robert Martin, who, not content
with his estates in Somerset and Devon, was greedy for land in Wales. Landing
first at Fishguard near the mouth of the Gwaun Valley, he later moved to Nevern and became the first
Marcher Lord of Kemes. His grandson William married the daughter of the Lord Rhys who in 1191
ejected him from Nevern. William then built a castle at a new place, Trefdraeth
(Newport) along with a town and church. Proximity to the sea, better than at
Nevern, was probably a strong point in favour of the site.
The
Marcher Lordship of Kemes passed to the Audleys, but twice in the 13th century
the castle at Newport was destroyed by the Welsh. The present castle was
probably built after these destructions.
In
1543 the lordship was bought by a prosperous Welsh lawyer, the father of George
Owen of Henllys, famous for his Description of Pembrokeshire. The Owens
wanted the lordship rather than the castle, which was described as an utter ruin
in mid 16c, but eventually the castle was restored and a residence made from the
gatehouse by the Lloyds of Bronwydd in 1859.
Acc/to
The old Parish Churches of South West Wales
by Mike Salter 1994.
The
west tower is 16c. The chancel and nave have old masonry but no old features,
although the nave is flanked by two bay chapels (or aisle transepts). There are
fragments of a 14c cross slab. The communion table is 17C. There is a Norman
Font and in the Churchyard a stone with a ring cross on in suggested to be from
the 7C.
R.
Fenton Pembrokeshire 1810 edition
1903 p 299.
The
church is cruciform in building, consisting of a nave, chancel and cross aisles,
roofed in old oak. The nave is separated from the chancel and the aisles by
plain pointed arches. There was a rood-loft in the memory of some old people
handsomely wrought and gilt. It has been said there was an organ, but that I
doubt.
RCAM
Pembroke 1914 No 821.
In the
years 1834-5 the church was enlarged and a gallery built. In 1859 Arch Camb.
found the church had undergone so many alterations that little then remained of
the original edifice. It was again restored in 1878 when the only portions then
retained were the tower, font, holy water stoup and rood-loft stairs at the left
hand side of the chancel arch.
Churchyard
enlarged 1886.
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
This
rectory was appendant to the barony of Kemes. In 1326 the advowson of Newport,
of the yearly value of 12 marks, with other advowsons and knights fees was
assigned to James de Audele, kinsman and coheir of William, the son of William
Martyn [Lord of Kemes.] - Close
Rolls.
Described
as Ecclesia de Novo Burgo, this church was assessed in 1291 at £8 for tenths to
the King. - Taxatio.
Newport.
- Ecclesia
ibidem ex presentacione ejusdem domini de Awdeley unde Willielmus Davis clericus
est rector valet cum gleba communibus annis £16. Inde decima 32s. - Valor
Eccl.
Under
the heading “Livings
Discharged”:- Newport Trefdraeth R. (St. Mary). Dom. de Audley olim Patr.;
Anne Lloyd, widow, 1714; John Laugharne, Esq., 1735; Thomas Floyd, Esq., and
Anne his wife. 1759. Clear yearly value, £44. King’s Books, £16. - Bacons
Liber Regis.
On 30
July, 1878, a faculty was granted for the restoration of the parish church.
On 6
June, 1903, a faculty was issued for the erection of a memorial tablet with a
medallion in memory of the late Mrs. Alderson in the parish church.
Two
pilgrimage chapels, called Capell Dewy and Capell Kirick are mentioned, in
George Owens list of such edifices as being in Newport parish. - Owens Pem.
Was
once a thriving fishing and sea trading community but the estuary has now silted
up. The remains of old warehouses as
still there one converted into a sailing club house
and there are many fine old houses showing that it was once a prosperous
community many of them belonged to retired sea captains.
1 mile
south of Newport - Carningli Common. Undefended Settlement.
The hill slope around the hill fort of Mynydd Carningli is covered with the remains of undefended settlements which comprise hut circles and associated field systems. These monuments are difficult to date in the absence of excavation and may range in date from the bronze age to the post Roman period.
Newton
North
The
pointed chancel arch on simple imposts dates the nave and chancel to c1200. The
west tower and north windows are 16c. The church was a ruin in 1910.
The name of the parish is now Newton North but the Welsh name of Newton seems to
have been Llys Prawst - Owens Pem., Pt. 2, p. 294.
Bishop
Bernard, who held the bishopric of St. Davids from 1115 to 1147, granted, with
certain reservations, by a charter, which is undated, all the land of Lispraust
with the church, to the Church of St. Mary of the abbey of Camays [St. Dogmaels]
and the monks there. - Stat. Menev on the dissolution of the monastic
houses it came into the hands of the Crown.
In
1291 the church of Lyspraust was assessed at £2 the tenths payable being 4s. - Taxatio.
No
detailed valuation of this benefice is given in the Valor Eccl., but that
authority in its list of the churches and chapels appropriated to the abbey of
St. Dogmaels mentions Ecclesia de
Llysprance et Newton
per annum 23s. 4d. Newton
is not referred to in Bacons Liber Regis.
Newton
was united with Minwear to Slebech by an Order in Council, dated 4 Mar., 1844.
Neyland and Llanstadwell See Llanstadwell
Nolton
Acc/to
Nolton.
Originally
Nolton
(860186). The village is a little way inland. It has a bellcote church dedicated
to St Madoc containing an effigy of a Knight and Norman carved stone bracket but
not much else of interest. Nolton Haven is a popular holiday beach, but visitors
are probably unaware that this was once a coal-exporting beach. Note the remains
of the old coal quay, built in 1769. Traces of the long-abandoned coal mines can
be found all over the area; some of the coal workings ran far out under the sea.
Nolton
itself is one mile inland from Nolton Haven.
In the
rib-vaulted porch is an effigy of a late 13c knight with his head on a pillow.
The nave walls and font may be of c1200. The chancel has been enlarged and is
dated 1789 & 1878.
Nolton
Rectory encapsulates early vaulted cellars as the present ground floor of a more
recent structure.
The
third son of the Good Sir John 4th Baronet and the younger brother of Sir
Erasmus 5th Baronet and Sir John 6th Baronet.
He
married Philippa Adams of Holyland Pembroke. Although in the family traditions
he was of minor importance, being a younger son, the whole future of the Picton
Estate stems from him. He had no children from his marriage but after the death
of his wife he was reputed to have adopted an illegitimate daughter by a woman
named Maria Philippa Artemisia and gave the young girl the surname Philipps. Her
real name was Mary Philippa Artemisia.
Bulkeley
Philipps died in 1776 and after his death she married James Child of Begelly and
she herself had a daughter whom she named Maria Artemisia. She died in 1786.
Her daughter Maria Artemisia, married the son of the Vicar of Roch and
Nolton, the Rev. John Grant, who succeeded his father in these livings.
The
father, the old Vicar, had been mad for some years. This John Gant was said to
have been the man who invented what was called the yard wheel for measuring
distances and he was looked at askance in the Haverfordwest of that time running
behind his peculiar wheel. Their son was named Richard Bulkeley Philipps Grant.
This boy’s father, the Rev. John Grant,
in addition to inventing the measuring wheel gained a great deal of
notoriety because of his condemning those of his parishioners from Roch and
Nolton who, whilst looting a wrecked
ship containing a cargo of Gunpowder on Druidston Sands caused it to blow up,
killing many and blinding others. He
was said to have declared openly that it was an act of God punishing them for
their wickedness.
Maria
Artemisia, upon the death of her first husband,
the Rev. John Grant married as her second the Rev. Alexander Gwyther,
the Vicar of Yardley in Worcestershire. By him she had a second son who later became the Rev. James Henry
Alexander Gwyther, Vicar of St Mary's Church Haverfordwest.
Richard
Burkley Philipps Grant and his half brother, the Rev. James Henry Alexander
Gwther, in turn,
inherited the vast Picton castle estates,
both changing their surnames to Philipps, thus causing those of closer
relationship to become disinherited.
Acc/to
Pembrokeshire Parsons.
The
patronage of this church, which was then called the church of St. Madoc de
Veteri Villa, was granted by Thomas de Rupe [de Roch], the son and heir of John
de Rock, to Pill Priory. - Dugdale Monasticum.
In
1594 the benefice of Nolton is said to have been appendant to the manor of
Nolton and Perott was then the patron. - Owen's Pem. It, however, seems
that this must have been an error on the part of the Pembrokeshire historian, as
the right of patronage had been granted to Pill Priory by Thomas de Rupe, and an
advowson once sold was never again attached to a manor. See Blackstones
Comment Bk. II., ch. 3.
Moreover, although the post mortem inquisition, held in 1503 on the death of Sir
William Perrott of Haroldston, Knt., states that the deceased owned the manor of
Nolton, which he held of the barony of Roch by knights service and suit at the
court of Rock, no mention is made of his holding the rectory of Nolton, while
the Valor Eccl., which was taken in 1554, distinctly states that the
prior of Pill was the patron.
It
therefore seems probable that the rectory was held in gross, that is to say not
appendant to any manor and that on the dissolution of the monasteries it came
into the king’s hands. It is significant also that there is no record of any
presentation by either the owner of the manor of Nolton or of Roch, and that the
only presentation apart from those made by the prior of Pill and the King, was
made in 1554 by William Philipps of Picton, Esq. (son and heir of John Philipps
of Picton, Esq.), who is distinctly stated to have been the patron for that turn
under a grant from the Prior and Convent of the late dissolved priory of Pill.
Described
as Ecclesia de Veteri Villa, this church was in 1291 assessed at £8 for tenths
to the King, the sum payable thereon being 16s. - Taxatio.
Norton.
- Ecclesia
ibidem unde prior de Pulla est patronus. Et ibidem Thomas Wogan est rector
habens mansionem ibidem. Et valet fruetus hujusmodi per annum inje xiijs iiijd.
Inde sol in una pensione priori de Pulla per annum iiip. Et in visitacione
ordinaria quolibet tercio anno xijd. Et in wisitacione archidiaconi quolibet
anno pro procuracionibus et sinodalibus vs ixd. Et remanet clare £4 2s 7d Inde
decima 8s. 3d. - Valor Eccl.
Under
the heading "Livings Discharged":- Nolton alias Knowleton R. (St Madoc) Pens Pri.
de Pulla, 4s. Ordinario quolibet tertio anno, 1s. Archidiac. quolibet anno, 5s.
9d. Prince of Wales; Prior de Pulla olim Patr. Clear yearly value, £28
£40 Kings Books, £4 2s.
11d. – Bacon’s Liber Regis.
On 30
July 1868, the livings of Nolton and Roch were united under an Order in Council.
On 21
October 1876, a faculty was granted for the alteration and restoration of the
parish church.
In
this year [1789] the chancel was new roofed and ceiled and plaistered. A new
window put into the eastern end, and the side walls that projected beyond the
end, taken down: which wraps had been left in a ragged state ever since the
chancel was restored (by Mr. Davies, a former rector, nearly one hundred years
ago) by a faculty, and the pine end built on the vault where the rectors have
been buried.
The
yard wall was repaired and plastered and a new gate made in 1789.
1801.
The arch between the nave and chancel this year widened and raised, being before
low and narrow, obstructing the view and sound. The reading desk and pulpit also
removed four or five feet from the westward. All this at the expense of the
rector, Moses Grant.
The
sycamore trees were planted in Nolton churchyard in spring of 1824 and 1825, and
a few elms and poplars in 1827 by Francis Warlow, school master, by and with the
consent of the Rev. George Harries, the rector.
A
paper document attached to the old parchment register of Nolton states that at a
vestry meeting held on 23 Feb., 1767, it was agreed that no one on any account
whatsoever should be buried within the church of Nolton.
The vicarage at Nolton is a most interesting old house, and the following details, given by Rev. J. W. Reese, the late vicar. The front door of the vicarage opens into a hall, which has a stone-vaulted ceiling; the room on the left hand of the hall has also a stone-vaulted ceiling, and the end wall, opposite to the window, is built concave to the room, but both of these vaulted ceilings are now concealed by plaster. The kitchen, which is behind the room referred to, has also a stone-vaulted ceiling, and the old main walls of the house are 43 inches thick. Mr. Reese added that Bishop Basil Jones, after inspecting the vicarage, expressed the opinion that the old part of the house was at least 500 years old.
Nolton
Haven
[Jottings]
Once a coal exporting
beach.
Cliff Colliery about 1/2 mile
north was also exporting via Nolton Haven. It was worked
from 1850 to 1905 to exploit coal seams beneath St Brides Bay. There are
dangerous traces of old coal workings; some
travel under the sea and are as deep
300ft. Many on the old workings are flooded and the sites of some of the very
early ones unknown.
Remains of Tudor workings and bell pits also to be found by the unwary.