Grosmont, Monmouthshire

Description
Grosmont, a village and a parish in Monmouthshire. The village stands near the river Monnow and the boundary with Herefordshire, under Graig Hill, 2 1/2 miles S of Pontrilas station on the G.W.R., 10 NW by N of Monmouth, and 11 NE of Abergavenny; has pleasant environs, and was formerly a market and corporate town. It has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Pontrilas (R.S.O.) It gives the title of Baron to the Duke of Beaufort. It was formerly a place of some importance, as is attested by traces of causeways, constructed like Roman roads, diverging from it. An ancient castle was here, once the favourite residence of the Dukes of Lancaster, and the remains, though not very extensive, are picturesque and interesting, and include a gateway, a five-windowed baronial hall, and a beautiful decorated chimney. The castle was invested by Llewelyn, but was relieved by Henry III., when " the Welshmen," says Lam-barde, " saved their lives by their legges." The forces of Owen Glendower were defeated in 1405 on Graig Hill- an isolated eminence about a mile from the castle, of no very great height, but figuring conspicuously in an extensive landscape. The parish comprises 6799 acres; population of the civil parish, 560; of the ecclesiastical, 565. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Llandaff; gross value, £201 with residence. The church is Transition Norman, the chancel and tower being Early English, of unusual size, consists of nave, aisles, transepts, and chancel, with octagonal tower and spire, was restored in 1870, and the nave again in 1888, and is said to contain the remains of the famous necromancer, John of Kent.