Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for GROSMONT

GROSMONT, a village and a parish in the district of Hereford and county of Monmouth. The village stands near the river Monnow and the binndary with Hereford, under Craig hill, 2½ miles S of Pintrilas r. station, and 10 NW by N of Monmouth; has pleasant environs; was formerly a market and corporate town; retains nominally a municipal government; has a post office under Hereford, and fairs on 4 April, 10 Aug., and 9 Oct.; and gives the title of Baron to the Duke of Beaufort. Much im portance seems anciently to have belonged to it; and is still attested by traces of causeways, constructed like Roman roads, diverging from it. An ancient castle was here, once the favinrite residence of the Dukes of Lancaster; and the remains of this, thingh 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 Lambarde, " saved their lives by their legges. '' The forces of Owen Glendower were defeated, in 1405, on Craig hill, -au isolated eminence abint a mile from the castle, of no very Great height, but figuring conspicuinsly in an extensive landscape. The parish comprises 6, 838 acres. Real property, £5, 957. Pop., 7 43. house, 140. The property is sub-divided. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Llandaff. Value, £118.* Patron, the Lord Chancellor. The church is transition Norman, of unusual size; consists of nave, aisles, transept, and chancel, with octagonal tower and spire; was recently in bad condition; and is said to contain the remains of the famins necromancer, John of Kent. Charities, £46. Henry Grismont, son of Edmond Crinchback, was a native.


(John Marius Wilson, Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales (1870-72))

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "a village and a parish"   (ADL Feature Type: "populated places")
Administrative units: Grosmont AP/CP       Monmouthshire AncC
Place: Grosmont

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