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Caerleon

Coordinates:51°36′54″N2°57′32″W/ 51.615°N 2.959°W/51.615; -2.959
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For the English city that was also historically called Caerleon, seeChester.For the champion racehorse, seeCaerleon II.

Caerleon
A photograph taken from a house window on Caerleon Road in St Julians. The view crosses the river Usk and in the distance is the Caerleon Golf Club, and behind it, the settlement of Caerleon, on the hill with rows of houses visible. At the far right are the visible buildings of Caerleon Comprehensive School and its sports facilities.
Caerleon fromSt Julians
A map of Newport, Wales, showing the location of the town of Caerleon as a red dot
A map of Newport, Wales, showing the location of the town of Caerleon as a red dot
Caerleon
Location withinNewport
Area9.03 sq mi (23.4 km2)[1]
Population8,061[2][full citation needed]
•Density893/sq mi (345/km2)[3]
DemonymCaerleonite
LanguageEnglish
Cymraeg(Welsh)
OS grid referenceST336909
•Cardiff13 mi (21 km)westwards
•London122 mi (196 km)eastwards
Community
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townNEWPORT
Postcode districtNP18
Dialling code01633
PoliceGwent
FireSouth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
Website"Newport City Council".newport.gov.uk.
List of places
UK
Wales
Newport
51°36′54″N2°57′32″W/ 51.615°N 2.959°W/51.615; -2.959

Caerleon(/kərˈliːən/;Welsh:Caerllion) is a town andcommunityinNewport, Wales.Situated on theRiver Usk,[4][5]it lies 5 miles (8 km) northeast ofNewport city centre,and 5.5 miles (9 km) southeast ofCwmbran.Caerleon is ofarchaeologicalimportance, being the site of a notableRomanlegionaryfortress,Isca Augusta,and anIron Agehillfort.Close to the remains of Isca Augusta are theNational Roman Legion Museumand theRoman Baths Museum.The town also has strong historical and literary associations:Geoffrey of Monmouthelevated the significance of Caerleon as a major centre of British history in hisHistoria Regum Britanniae(c. 1136), andAlfred Lord TennysonwroteIdylls of the King(1859–1885) while staying in Caerleon.

History[edit]

Pre-Roman history[edit]

The area around Caerleon is of considerablearchaeologicalinterest, with a number of importantNeolithicsites. By theIron Age,the area was home to the powerfulSilurestribe and appears to have been the centre of a wealthy trading network, both manufacturing and importingLa Tènestyle goods.[6]From the 5th century BC, the town was the location of a great Iron Age hillfort crowning a hill overlooking theRiver Uskand what would become the Roman port. The hillfort at Lodge Wood Camp is defended by three lines of massive ramparts and ditches, and is the largest fortified enclosure in South Wales.[7]

The excavation in 2000 found that the hillfort had been continuously occupied from its founding in the 5th century BC until the construction and occupation ofIsca Augustaaround 78 AD. There is no evidence that the fort was taken militarily, and the abandonment of the fort may have been part of the terms of peace.[8]The fort was reoccupied during the Roman period and remained in use following theend of Roman rule in Britain,suggesting that some version of the Pre-Roman society survived the occupation.

Roman era[edit]

Main article:Isca Augusta
A map of Roman legionary camps in Europe with Caerleon (3) noted

Caerleon is a site of considerable archaeological importance as the location of aRomanlegionary fortress orcastra.It was the headquarters forLegio II Augustafrom about 75 to 300 AD, and on the hill above was the site of an Iron Age hillfort.[7]The Romans called the siteIscaafter the River Usk (WelshWysg). The nameCaerleonmay derive from theWelshfor "fortress of thelegion";around 800 AD it was referred to asCair Legeion guar Uisc.[9]

An aerial view of Caerleon's Roman amphitheatre site in 2005

Substantial excavated Roman remains can be seen, including the militaryamphitheatre,thermae(baths) and barracks occupied by theRoman legion.In August 2011 the remains of a Roman harbour were discovered in Caerleon.[10]According toGildas,followed byBede,Roman Caerleon was the site of twoearly Christianmartyrdoms,those ofJulius and Aaron.Recent finds suggest Roman occupation of some kind as late as AD 380.[11]Roman remains have also been discovered atThe Mynde,itself a distinctive historical site.[12]

Middle Ages[edit]

Caerleon features extensively inMedieval Welsh literatureandWelsh Mythology,often as a model city against which other settlements are compared.

When discussing the disastrous flooding ofCantre'r Gwaelodin the time ofAmbrosius Aurelianus,the author of theTriads of the Island of Britainnotes that Medieval Caerleon is an exceptional city, "superior to all the towns and fortifications inCambria".[13]

Medieval Caerleon would remain an important administrative and religious centre for theKingdom of Gwent,and was an earlyMetropolitan Seeassociated with SaintDubricius(who is commonly depicted with twocrosiers,signifying the Bishoprics of Caerleon andLlandaff).[14]At theSynod of Brefiin 545 AD, Dubricius is said to have given the See of Caerleon toSaint David,who would later move the seat toMynyw.Caerleon was also the location of theSynod of Victory,officiated bySaint Davidaround 569 AD.[15]

Another medieval saint,Cadoc,is associated with the church built over theprincipia(legionary headquarters).Saint Cadoc's Church,is one of many churches associated with Cadoc's travels, and may have been the location of a monastic cell in the 6th century.[16]

Norman era[edit]

ANorman-stylemotte and baileycastle was built outside the eastern corner of the old Roman fort, possibly by the Welsh Lord of Caerleon,Caradog ap Gruffydd.TheDomesday Bookof 1086 recorded that a small colony of eightcarucatesof land (about 1.5 square miles) in the jurisdiction of Caerleon, seemingly just within the Welsh Lordship ofGwynllwg,was held byTurstin FitzRolf,standard bearer to William the Conqueror at Hastings, subject toWilliam d'Ecouis,a magnate of unknown antecedents with lands in Hereford, Norfolk and other counties.[17]Also listed on the manor were three Welshmen with as many ploughs and carucates, who continued their Welsh customs (leges Walensi viventes).[17]Caerleon itself may have remained in Welsh hands, or may have changed hands frequently.[18]

From the apparent banishment of Turstin by William II, Turstin's lands were transferred in 1088 byWynebald de Ballon,brother ofHamelin de Ballonwho heldAbergavennyfurther up the River Usk. At about the same time, Wynebald's lands may have passed via his daughter to Henry Newmarch,[19][full citation needed]possible illegitimate son ofBernard de Newmarch,[20]c. 1155 the Welsh Lord of Caerleon, Morgan ab Owain, grandson of King Caradog ap Gruffudd, was recognized byHenry II.[21]Subsequently, Caerleon continued in Welsh hands, subject to occasional battles with the Normans. Caerleon was an important market and port and possibly became aboroughby 1171, although no independent charters exist. In 1171 Iorwerth ab Owain and his two sons destroyed the town of Caerleon and burned the Castle. Both castle and borough were seized byWilliam MarshalfromMorgan ap Hywelin 1217 and Caerleon castle was rebuilt in stone. The remains of many of the old Roman buildings stood to some height[clarification needed]until this time and were probably demolished for their building materials.

Glyndŵr Rising[edit]

Round Tower at The Hanbury Arms in 2010

During theGlyndŵr Risingin 1402Rhys Gethin,general forOwain Glyndŵr,took Caerleon castle by force, together with those of Newport, Cardiff, Llandaff, Abergavenny, Caerphilly and Usk.[22]This was probably the last time Caerleon castle was ruined, though the walls were still standing in 1537 and the castle ruins only finally collapsed in 1739: their most obvious remnant is the Round Tower at the Hanbury Arms public house. The Tower is aGrade II* listed building.[23]

English Civil War[edit]

Across theAfon Lwydfrom Caerleon, in the region of Penrhos Farm, are twoCivil Warforts. In 1648Oliver Cromwell's troops camped overnight onChristchurch Hill,overlooking Newport, before their attack onNewport Castlethe next day.

18th and 19th centuries[edit]

Caerleon in 1800, from the south and showing the bridge

The old wooden bridge was destroyed in a storm in 1779 andthe present stone bridgewas erected in the early 19th century. Until theVictoriandevelopment of the downstream docks atNewport Docks,Caerleon acted as the major port on the River Usk. The wharf was located on the right bank, to the west of today's river bridge which marked the limit of navigability for masted ships. Atinplateworks and mills were established on the outskirts of the town, in Ponthir, around this time, and Caerleon expanded to become almost joined to Newport.[24]

A plaque on the Mynde wall in High Street references theNewport Risingof 1839 in whichJohn Frostof Newport was a prominent figure in theChartistmovement. John Jenkins, owner of Mynde House and owner of Ponthir Tinplate Works, built the wall to keep demonstrators out.

The name of the former Drovers' Arms on Goldcroft Common bore witness to the ancientdrovers' roadon the old road fromMalpas.It is thought that the common itself was once the site of a cattle market.[25]

Modern histories[edit]

An informative and wide-ranging history of Caerleon was published in 1970 by local amateur historian Primrose HockeyMBE,[26]who was a founder member of Caerleon Local History Society. An archive of her local history collection is kept by theGwent Record Office.[27]

In Welsh mythology and literature[edit]

Welsh mythology[edit]

Caerleon features frequently in various works connected withWelsh mythologyandMedieval Welsh literature.

In book three of hisHistoria Regum Britanniæ,Geoffrey of Monmouthgives the founder of the city asBelinus,the mythicalKing of the Britons.According to Geoffrey, Belinus repaired and founded many cities during a period of great wealth; he named this city "Caerosc"(Caeron theRiver Usk), and it became the most important of all the new cities he founded. Geoffrey also states that Belinus' son and heir,Gurguit Barbtrucwas buried in Caerleon, which he fortified with walls and ornamented with new buildings.[28]

Caerleon is also associated the legends aroundDubriciusandSaint David,and was commonly believed to be one of the earliestMetropolitan Seesin the Province of Britannia. In theProphetiae Merlini,Geoffrey stated that "St David's shall put on thepallof the City of Legions "; and most accounts state that Dubricius gave the see of Caerleon to St David voluntarily. David then translated the bishopric toMynyw,now known asSt David's.Indeed in describing St David's death, Geoffrey describes him as "The pious archbishop of Legions, at the city of Menevia (Mynyw)."[29]

Arthurian legend[edit]

In his 1191Itinerarium Cambriae,written about a tour of Wales in 1188 to recruit for theThird Crusade,the authorGerald of Walessays of Caerleon, "the Roman ambassadors here received their audience at the court of the great king Arthur."[30]

Geoffrey makes Arthur's capital Caerleon andThomas Maloryhas Arthur re-crowned there. The still extantamphitheatreat Caerleon has been associated with Arthur's 'Round Table;[31]and has been suggested as a possible source for the legend.[32]

For it was located in a delightful spot inGlamorgan,on the River Usk, not far from theSevernSea. Abounding in wealth more than other cities, it was suited for such a ceremony. For the noble river I have named flows along it on one side, upon which the kings and princes who would be coming from overseas could be carried by ship. But on the other side, protected by meadow and woods, it was remarkable for royal palaces, so that it imitated Rome in the golden roofs of its buildings... Famous for so many pleasant features, Caerleon was made ready for the announced feast. (Historia Regum Britanniae)

Though the huge scale of the ruins, along with Caerleon's importance as an urban centre in early medievalKingdom of Gwent,may have inspired Geoffrey, the main historical source for Arthur's link with "the camp of the legion" is the list of thetwelve battles of Arthurin the 9th-centuryHistoria Brittonum.However the"urbs legionis"mentioned there may beChester– or evenYork.[33]"Camelot" first appears inChrétien de Troyes'Lancelot,though Chrétien also mentions Caerleon.

Plaque at birthplace ofArthur Machen,The Square, High Street

Caerleon also has associations with later Arthurian literature as the birthplace of the writerArthur Machenwho often used it as a location in his work.Alfred Tennysonlodged at The Hanbury Arms while he wrote hisMorte d'Arthur(later incorporated into hisIdylls of the King).[34]Today Caerleon has a modern statue of aknight,"The Hanbury Knight", in reflectingstainless steelby Belgian sculptor Thierry Lauwers.[35]InMichael Morpurgo's novelArthur, High King of Britain,Caerleon is the castle where Arthur unknowingly commitsincestwith his half-sister Morgaine, resulting in the conception of his sonMordredwho will later bring about his downfall.Mary Stewart's account of the Arthurian legends also mentions Caerleon as a place where Arthur held court. In that telling, the incest took place atLuguvalium.[36]

Modern Caerleon[edit]

Overview[edit]

Goldcroft Common in 2010
The War Memorial Garden, erected 1921 for the 1914–1918 Great War and later the 1939-1945 Second World War.

Caerleon is centred around a smallcommon.Goldcroft Common is the only remaining of the seven commons of Caerleon. Most of the small businesses of Caerleon are near the common as is the Town Hall which has aWorld War IandWorld War IImemorial garden. Caerleon library is located within the Town Hall and is associated withNewport Central Library.The intersection of High Street and Cross Street is known as The Square.

Buildings of note areSaint Cadoc's Church,theNational Roman Legion Museum,theRoman Baths Museum,The Mynde,The Priory Hotel,Caerleon Catholic Churchand Rectory,Caerleon Endowed School,the Round Tower, the Toll House atCaerleon Bridge,The Malt House, formerUniversity of South WalesCaerleon Campus andSt Cadoc's Hospital.There are 86 listed buildings in Caerleon.[37]

The historic remains of the Roman Legionary FortressIsca Augustais popular with tourists and school parties and there is a marked heritage trail in the town. The Millennium Wildlife Garden is a small nature garden on the banks of the River Usk. The hilltop vantage point atChristchurchprovides panoramic views of theVale of UskandBristol Channel.

The municipal playing fields are at Caerleon Broadway and a children's playground is in Cold Bath Road. Private sport and leisure facilities are available at theCeltic Manor.Caerleon has a few restaurants, cafés and take-away food outlets and manypublic housesthat have restaurant facilities. Ffwrrwm Arts and Crafts Centre is a small specialist shopping courtyard with a gallery restaurant and an eclectic display of sculpture.

Governance[edit]

Caerleon Town Hall in 2010

Until January 2020 Caerleon was within theWales European Parliament Constituency.

Caerleon is anelectoral wardofNewport City Council,represented since 1995 by three councillors.[38]The ward includesChristchurchandBulmore.Caerleon is within theUK Parliamentary constituencyofNewport East,theSeneddconstituencyofNewport West.

The community includesChristchurchand the Afon Gardens area ofPonthir.[39]

Geography[edit]

The centre of Caerleon sits in the Vale of Usk and the River Usk forms part of the community's southern boundary. In the north-west part of the town, across the railway bridges, the land rises sharply up to Lodge Wood and itshill fort.The community's western boundary is formed by theA4042 road(Heidenheim Drive) and the northern boundary partly by the Malthouse Road and partly by theAfon Llwydriver which flows southwards to the River Usk along the town's eastern side. Across the River Usk from Caerleon, to the south-east and east, St Julian's Park, the village ofChristchurchand the upland region around Christchurch Hill as far as theM4 motorwayand theA449 roadare also within the community, along with the hamlet of Ultra Pontem.

Transportation[edit]

Road[edit]

Caerleon is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) fromNewport city centreand 5.5 miles (8.9 km) fromCwmbran.Caerleon is 2 miles (3.2 km) north of theM4 motorway.The B4596 (Caerleon Road) links Newport city centre to Caerleon via M4 Junction 25, crossingCaerleon Bridgeinto Caerleon High Street. The B4236 (Ponthir Road) links Caerleon to Cwmbran. The Usk Road links Caerleon toUsk.

A regular bus service links Caerleon to Newport city centre and Cwmbran. There is a limitedCity Sightseeingopen-top bus service in summer months. A cycle and pedestrian walkway alongside the River Usk links Caerleon toMalpasandNewport city centreatCrindau,route 88 of theNational Cycle Network.[40]

Rail[edit]

Trains pass through Caerleon on theWelsh Marches Line,but do not stop at the closedCaerleon railway station.The nearest passenger stations areNewport,andCwmbran.

Transport for Wales have announced that Caerleon is a potential future station as part of theSouth Wales Metroproject.[41]

Education[edit]

Schools in Caerleon generally teach in English, with Welsh being taught as a second language.Welsh-medium educationis provided at schools elsewhere in Newport.

Primary schools[edit]

There are two primary schools in Caerleon: Charles Williams Church in Wales Primary School (one of the largest Church Primary Schools in Wales) and Lodge Hill Primary School.[42][43]Welsh-medium primary education is provided at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon inBrynglas,Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd inRinglandand Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael inBettws.

Secondary education[edit]

Caerleon Comprehensive Schoolprovides secondary education through the medium of English. Welsh-medium secondary education is provided atYsgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed,acomprehensive schoolinDuffrynthat opened in 2016.

Higher education[edit]

Caerleon Campus in 2007

A campus of theUniversity of South Waleswas located in Caerleon. The campus closed on 31 July 2016. The campus was the main campus of theUniversity of Wales, Newportand the second largest campus of theUniversity of South Walesafter the merger of universities in 2013. It hosted a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including education, sports and photography. The campus had extensive sports facilities, library, students' union shop, students' union bar and accommodation blocks.

During September 2014, It the University of South Wales announced that the Caerleon campus would close in 2016[44]with courses being integrated into the remaining campuses. The University sold the campus for housing development despite strong opposition to the proposed re-development from local residents.[45]The Caerleon Civic Society askedCadw,the body that looks after historic monuments and buildings in Wales, to give theEdwardianmain building Grade IIListed buildingstatus to save it from demolition.[46]In August 2016, theWelsh Governmentannounced that they would recommend that the main building, gatehouses and gate piers be listed as 'buildings of special architectural and historic interest'. The University of South Wales expressed their continued opposition to the proposed listing but the announcement was welcomed by local politicians and the Caerleon Civic Society.[47]Grade II listing of the Main Building, the Principal's Residence, Gate Piers and Caretaker's / Gardener's Lodge was confirmed on the 3 March 2017.[48]

Housing[edit]

Historically housing was largely located on the west bank of the River Usk between Caerleon Bridge and Caerleon Common with a small number of houses on the east bank. A number of substantial housing developments have been created to the West of Caerleon: Lodge Hill, Home Farm, Roman Reach, Trinity View, Brooklea, and the Brades, as well as smaller cluster developments near the centre of the town. Substantial housing developments in nearbyPonthirand Cwmbran have increased traffic congestion in Caerleon.

Historic public houses[edit]

The entrance to The Priory, a historic restaurant and pub in Caerleon, Wales

The town has long been a well-known spot for nightlife and eateries, with a number ofcoaching innsopening in the early 19th century. Today there are thirteen pubs, bars or restaurants, including:

  • The Priory (an Abbey was first built here in 1179)[49]
  • Olde Bull Inn (15th Century)[49]
  • The Hanbury Arms (1565)[49]
  • The Bell (originally built as a chapel in 1814)[49]
  • The White Hart (a hotel later becoming a pub in 1815)[49]

Sport[edit]

Caerleon has been home to a number of sporting competitions.

Newport Half Marathon[edit]

Main article:Newport Half Marathon

It is a part of theNewport Half Marathonroute, entering the town via theNational Cycle Route 88path, into the historic village centre past the Amphitheatre, over Caerleon Bridge and onto Caerleon Road back towards the city centre finish.[50]

Tour de Gwent[edit]

Main article:Tour de Gwent

On 8 July 2018 theVelothon Walesincluded Caerleon on a 140 km route, as well as two shorter routes of 125 km and 60 km.

In 2019 it was announced the Velothon Wales would not resume.[51]Instead, theTour de Gwentwill be the main cycling event for South Wales each year, with a 93 mile route and other distances for different ability levels on offer.[52]It will again start in Caerleon and head to Abergavenny, returning to Caerleon via the Wye Valley.

Tour of Britain 2017–2018[edit]

Main article:2017 Tour of Britain

Caerleon has twice hosted the British national cycling tournament, in 2017 and 2018. It has welcomed international riders includingJulian Alaphilippe,André Greipel,Tony Martin,andGeraint Thomasto the popular cycle routes in the area. It includes a category 2 climb at Belmont Hill which has proven popular with organisers.

On 10 September 2017 theTour of Britaincame to Caerleon along the 180.2 km (112 mi) western route from Worcester to the competition's finish in Cardiff city centre. The peak of the British domestic cycling calendar, it saw a dramatic breakaway over Belmont Hill by ridersGorka Izagirre(Movistar) andMark Stewart(An Post-Chain Reaction) which is a Category 2 climb and has been a feature of the Tour with a 9% average gradient. The riders were only eventually caught by the peloton near Cardiff at the close of the stage. The stage was won byEdvald Boasson HagenofTeam Dimension Data.

Main article:2018 Tour of Britain

On 2 September 2018 Caerleon again hosted the Tour of Britain route as it headed east fromPembreytoNewport,a flat stage of 175 km (109 mi). The event was WelshTour de Francechampion Geraint Thomas' first competition following his success in France, with the route following near his birthplace in Cardiff. The stage was won by André Greipel ofLotto–Soudal.The event organisers sent riders from Newport city centre to Caerleon via SustransNational Cycle Route 88,which was mostly flat along the Usk riverside. The route passed the Roman fortress towards the countryside around the Celtic Manor Resort, and then into Usk. TheKing of the Mountainsstage was again set at nearby Belmont Hill, with Tour de France winner Thomas famously describing the climb as 'too steep'[53]after he lost lead position in the peloton to climber Alaphilippe.

2010 Ryder Cup[edit]

Main article:2010 Ryder Cup
The Cricket Pavilion in Caerleon, Wales. In the background is Caerleon Comprehensive School.

The local ward golf club was included in promotional material for the2010 Ryder Cupwhich was hosted at the nearbyCeltic Manor Resort.[54]

Caerleon Golf Club is managed by the Celtic Manor Resort, and is a 9 hole municipal golf course,driving rangeand golf clubhouse. During winter months the golf course is prone to flooding due to its location alongside the River Usk.

Other sports[edit]

CaerleonBowlsClub has a good quality outdoor green and recently became home of the city's Newport AthleticBowlsClub which moved fromRodney Parade.[55]

The association football clubCaerleon A.F.C.is based in Caerleon along with tworugby unionclubs;Newport High School Old Boys RFCandCaerleon RFCwhose grounds are less than a mile apart. Both rugby clubs have large junior sections and Caerleon Junior Youth Football Club is a substantial junior football club.

Bulmore Lido was opened in Caerleon in July 1934 land with an open-air swimming pool, cafe and restaurant,[56]closing in the 1980s.

Newport Racecourseat Caerleon stagedNational Hunt racingfrom the 1840s until its closure in 1948. It hosted theWelsh Grand Nationalat Easter 1948, the only time the race was held at Newport.[57]Following the closure of the course the Welsh Grand National was transferred toChepstow.The racecourse also staged theInternational Cross Country Championshipson six occasions between 1906 and 1951.[58]The course was located on what is now the golf club and the comprehensive school.[59]

Culture and community[edit]

Caerleon Festival[edit]

Main article:Caerleon Arts Festival
Tree sculpture in Caerleon

Caerleon has hosted anarts festivalin July each year since 2003, established initially to welcome participants and sculptors from around the world.[60]Many of the sizeable sculptures are retained around Caerleon as aSculpture parkand local landmarks. The arts festival coincides with the Roman militaryre-enactmentin the amphitheatre which demonstrates Roman military armour,infantry tactics,cavalry tactics, equipment andsiege enginessuch asballistae.

Recent developments with the festival have seen expansion, with the inclusion of a literary festival, food and drink offerings and music events staged at venues including Caerleon Town Hall andSt Cadocs Church.The open-air Roman amphitheatre hosts an annualShakespeareplay.

The 'Big Free Weekend' alongside theRiver Uskis two full days of free live music and dance on three stages at the Hanbury Quay, the 17th century Bell Inn marquee and the Festival Meadow marquee. A diverse range of performers are featured including folk, idie, rock, choirs, celtic and international dance. The Festival field hosts displays, performances and vendors of crafts andvisual arts.

Mari Lwyd[edit]

Main article:Mari Lwyd

Writing in 1951, local historian and folkloristFred Handodescribed the traditional journey through Caerleon of the Mari Lwyd or "Venerable Mary", a tradition similar to that ofHoodeningfound inKent,PadstowandCheshire,and involving a man dressed with a horse's skull. The jaw of the skull could be made to move, with the aid of rods. Hando's informant, Gus Sergeant of Bulmoor, reported that the Mari Lwyd had not been seen in the town for at least 20 years, but he was still able to describe it:

We filled the eye-holes with wadding and 'pop alleys' and fixed great ears made of wadding stiffened with cardboard; then we stuck rosettes on the sides of the skull and strung long coloured ribbons as reins.

One man acted as leader of the Mari, holding the ribbons, and then came the Mari itself draped in a white sheet. It was followed by three singers, who sang inWelshalthough "they didn't understand the words". On occasion, the procession of the Mari Lwyd would start as far north asNewbridge-on-Uskand proceed through the town, ending as far south asGoldcliff.The party would be invited into houses along the way and given "money and home-made cakes and gallons of beer". Another of Hando's informants provides a description, dated 1841, of the Yuletide tradition:

The custom of chaunting at their neighbours' doors on thetwelfth night... on which occasion they are fantastically dressed with ribbons of various colours. One of the party carries a horse's head decorated in the same manner. Representations of trees, to which are appended apples and oranges, are also carried about, and on one of the branches an artificial bird, called "Aderyn Pica Llwyd" (the grey hobgoblin bird) is placed.[61]

Notable people[edit]

See also:Category:People from Caerleon

Notable people who were born, resided or were schooled in Caerleon, include the following:

In popular culture[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Caerleon Profile"(PDF)(final ed.). 2017.
  2. ^Census, 2011
  3. ^List of Welsh principal areas by population density
  4. ^"Caerleon – Newport City Council".www.newport.gov.uk.Retrieved31 October2017.
  5. ^"The River Usk, looking downstream".Geograph (geograph.org.uk).Retrieved15 December2016.(c) Roger Cornfoot
  6. ^Peterson, R.; Pollard, J.; Morris, E. (2006). "Prehistoric Pottery".Lodge Hill Camp, Caerleon, and the Hillforts of Gwent.BAR British Series. Vol. 407. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports. pp. 33–37.ISBN978-1841719351.
  7. ^ab"Lodge Wood Camp (93396)".Coflein.RCAHMW.Retrieved8 April2023.
  8. ^Howell, R.; Pollard, J. (2000). "Caerleon, Lodge Wood Camp".Archaeology in Wales(40): 81–83.
  9. ^Hywel Wyn Jones,The Place-Names of Wales,University of Wales Press, 2005, p.19,ISBN0-7083-1458-9
  10. ^"Caerleon Roman harbour find hailed".southwalesargus.co.uk. 24 August 2011.Retrieved15 December2016.
  11. ^Guest, Peter, Dr.; Gardner, Andrew, Dr. (2008)."Priory Field Caerleon dig".caerleon.net.Cardiff University and UCL.Retrieved15 December2016.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^"The Mynde, Caerleon, Wales".caerleon.net.Retrieved15 December2016.
  13. ^Bromwich, Rachel.Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain.University of Wales Press.ISBN978-1-78316-305-2.
  14. ^Toke, Leslie. "St. Dubric." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 14 April 2015
  15. ^Annales Cambriae.
  16. ^Kennerley, Eija (Spring 1981)."Saint Cadoc's Church, Caerleon".Gwent Local History(50). Gwent Local History Council: 3–12 – viaWelsh Journals.
  17. ^ab"The Domesday Book Online".www.domesdaybook.co.uk.
  18. ^Jermyn, Anthony (2010)."4: Caerleon through the centuries to the year 2000".Archived fromthe originalon 20 June 2013.Retrieved13 February2013.
  19. ^B.L. Harley 4757, f.7
  20. ^Newmarch, George Frederick; Newmarch, Charles H. (1868). The Newmarch Pedigree (Report). Cirencester, UK. p. 2.Verified by public records, authentic manuscripts, and general and local historiesContains scanty information, not sourced to any ancient records.
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Bibliography[edit]

  • Hockey, Primrose (1981).Caerleon past and present.Starling Press.ISBN9780903434430.
  • Barber, Chris (1996).Arthurian Caerleon: In literature and legend.Blorenge Books.ISBN1-872730-10-8.
  • Brewer, Richard J. (2000).Caerleon and the Roman Army: The Roman Legionary Museum, a guide(2nd ed.). Cardiff, UK: National Museum Wales Books.ISBN0-7200-0488-8.Caerleon – Isca: the Roman Legionary Museum(1st ed.). 1987.

External links[edit]

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