Bettws Newydd
Encyclopedia
Bettws Newydd is a small village in Monmouthshire
, in southeast Wales
, a few miles south of Clytha near Raglan, Monmouthshire
.
or place of prayer and was founded by Saint
Aedan of Ferns
, who founded several churches in Wales and was also known as St Aidan of Llawhaden
. As it was largely reconstructed in the 15th century as a new oratory it was referred to as Betws Newydd.
motte and bailey tump sits behind trees in the village next to the public house
. The 15th century village church has a rare late medieval rood screen
and rood loft carved from oak
. In the churchyard
are two yew tree
s estimated to be 1,000 years old. The trees are amongst the oldest yews in Wales
.
On the surrounding hills are many tumuli or prehistoric burial mounds and at Coed-y-bwnydd meaning "the wood of the gentry
" in the Welsh language
, is a large camp, an Iron Age
hillfort with a massive mound protecting the entrance at the east and multi-vallate earthworks and entrenchments at that side. The other side being defended by a very steep incline. The wood and hillfort are in the care of the National Trust
.
and restaurant
with accommodation. A golf course
is sited behind the pub.
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
, in southeast Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
Location
Bettws Newydd is about 3+1/2 mi north of UskUsk
Usk is a small town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles northeast of Newport.The River Usk flows through the town and is spanned by an ancient, arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient Anglo-Welsh border crossing - the river can...
, a few miles south of Clytha near Raglan, Monmouthshire
Raglan, Monmouthshire
Raglan is a village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, United Kingdom. It is located some 9 miles south-west of Monmouth, midway between Monmouth and Abergavenny on the A40 road very near to the junction with the A449 road...
.
Place of prayer
The site was originally an oratoryOratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
or place of prayer and was founded by Saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
Aedan of Ferns
Aedan of Ferns
Saint Máedóc , also known as Áedan, was a saint in Irish tradition, founder and first bishop of Ferns and a patron of other churches, such as Rossinver and Drumlane .-Background:...
, who founded several churches in Wales and was also known as St Aidan of Llawhaden
Llawhaden
Llawhaden is a village and parish in the Hundred of Dungleddy , Pembrokeshire, West Wales.Llawhaden was a civil parish, area 1865 Ha....
. As it was largely reconstructed in the 15th century as a new oratory it was referred to as Betws Newydd.
Local history
An old early NormanNorman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
motte and bailey tump sits behind trees in the village next to the public house
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
. The 15th century village church has a rare late medieval rood screen
Rood screen
The rood screen is a common feature in late medieval church architecture. It is typically an ornate partition between the chancel and nave, of more or less open tracery constructed of wood, stone, or wrought iron...
and rood loft carved from oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
. In the churchyard
Churchyard
A churchyard is a patch of land adjoining or surrounding a church which is usually owned by the relevant church or local parish itself. In the Scots language or Northern English language this can also be known as a kirkyard or kirkyaird....
are two yew tree
Taxus
Taxus is a genus of yews, small coniferous trees or shrubs in the yew family Taxaceae. They are relatively slow-growing and can be very long-lived, and reach heights of 1-40 m, with trunk diameters of up to 4 m...
s estimated to be 1,000 years old. The trees are amongst the oldest yews in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
On the surrounding hills are many tumuli or prehistoric burial mounds and at Coed-y-bwnydd meaning "the wood of the gentry
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
" in the Welsh language
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, is a large camp, an Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
hillfort with a massive mound protecting the entrance at the east and multi-vallate earthworks and entrenchments at that side. The other side being defended by a very steep incline. The wood and hillfort are in the care of the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
.
Amenities
The village has a selection of property and a public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
and restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
with accommodation. A golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
is sited behind the pub.