Circa
1090
"About the year 1090, Robert Fitzhamon, the newly-created
earl of Gloucester, led his forces into Morgannwg, probably
across the Severn Estuary. He conquered and annexed the
cantref of Gwynllwg and , defeating the Welsh ruler of Morgannwg,
converted that kingdom into his Norman lordship of Morgannwg.
The invaders settled for the most part in the lowland commote
between Newport and Cardiff and here Anglo-Norman methods
of landholding were introduced and feudal manors established.
……
Fitzhamon seems to have established his first castle on
Stow Hill near St. Woollos' Church, possibly on the site
of the ancient court-house of Gwynllyw. Here the Norman
'motte' or castle mound remained until the 19th century.
…..
His manor of Newport was at Stow near the church of St Woollos
where, adjacent to the manor-house, was the usual complement
of farm buildings, also pigeon cote and fishpond."
William
Rees 'The Charters of the Borough of Newport in Gwynllwg'
1951
pages XII-XIII. Original source not given.
Undated (1094-1104)
Robert de Haya, with the assent of Robert fitz Hamon, the
superior lord, granted the church of St. Gundlei
(St.Woolos), to the church of Gloucester and the monks,
Herewald, bishop of Landav, handing it, received from the
hands of Robert de Haya, to the abbot Serlo of Gloucester,
and investing him thereof canonically.
Translation
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 Vol. II. page 612.
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II.
No. DIX, page 51.
Circa 1126(?)
"Robert, the King's son, Earl of Gloucester, to Robert
Norris, Viscount and Prefect of St. Woollos, greeting: Know
ye, that I have granted Picot (vicar) my chaplain, that
he should occupy (for charitable purposes) his land which
is between my castle and the church. And if my burgers are
neutral by ancient custom, let his men also be neutral,
and let the church have the tribute in the same manner as
I have from my burgers. Signed and witnessed."
Translation
given by James Matthews in 'Historic Newport' 1910
page 93.
Referring to Document 502 in 'Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ'. Published version
edited by W.H. Hart. 1863-7.
1132
Charter of Robert, earl of Gloucester, confirming the gift
of Malpas Village etc to Montacute Priory. It also refers
to Novo Burgo (Newport)
(one of the earliest references to the existence of the
town as a "New Borough")
See:
Robert B. Patterson 'Earldom of Gloucester Charters'
1973. No.156 page 146.
1146
Notification by M(Uthred), bishop of Landav, to all his
parishioners and friends, clerks and lay, that the controversy
and dissension between the monks of Basselach (Bassaleg)
and Picot, chaplain of St. Gundlei (St Woolos), on
the bounds of their parishes, were determined and defined
in his presence ; the chapel of St Gladewis (St Gladys),
which Laudomer built upon the river Eboth (Ebbw),and
all tithes from that river to the river Usch (Usk),and
from the bounds of the land of William de Bercherol to the
sea, and all bodies of the dead shall remain freely and
quit to the church of St Gundlei ; those tithes which Laudomer
gave on the other side of the Eboth from his land
to the church of St Gundlei shall remain to the church
of St Basil.
Translation
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 Vol. II. page 637.
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II.
No. DXVI, page 55
Undated (1147 - 1163/4)
Charter of William, earl of Gloucester, granting quittance
from tolls to the Priory of Mary Magdalen at Goldcliff at
Bristol, Cardiff and Newport. The charter also states Insuper
dedi eis mesuagium extra murum in novo Burgo (Moreover
I grant to them a messuage outside the walls in Newport).
See:
Robert B. Patterson 'Earldom of Gloucester Charters'
1973. No.280 (93a)
Undated
(1149-1183)
Notification by Robert, son of Loemer, to Nicholas, bishop
of Landav, and all rectors and sons of Holy Church, that
for the health of the souls of himself, Mabel, his wife,
and his father and mother, he gives to St Gundlei (St Woolos)
the tithe of his mill, in perpetual arms. That his gift
may be ratified and preserved unbroken he confirms his gift
by charter, under his seal, and on St Martins Day (11 November),before
all the parish, presents his charter as an oblation on the
altar of St Gundlei. And Robert, vicar of the said church
calls the whole parish to witness this deed.
Translation
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 Vol. II. page 661.
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II. No.
DVIII, page 51
Undated
(1155-1156)
Notification by T(heobald), archbishop of Canterbury, primate
of the English, and legate, that having heard the witnesses
of Hamelin, abbot of Gloucester, on the church of St. Gundlei
(St. Woolos), namely three priest witnessing that they heard
and saw Robert de Haya, with the assent of Robert fitz Hamon,
the superior lord, grant the church of St. Gundlei to the
church of Gloucester and the monks ; and Herewald, then
bishop of Landav, handed it, received from the hands of
Robert de Haya, to the abbot Serlo of Gloucester, and invest
him thereof canonically ; also having heard another two
lay witnesses, together with a priest, testify to have seen
the monks in possession of the church of St. Gundlei, and
the monks to receive the fruits, and that the same were
testified in the archbishop's sight, the which they have
confirmed by oath.
Translated
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 1948. Vol.II pages 649-650.
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II.
No. DIX, page 51.
1239
(Agreement) concerning a dispute between the abbot and convent
of Gloucester and the prior and convent of Montacute and
the prior of Malpas …. the abbot and convent of St
Peters, Gloucester, or their assigns, should receive, peaceably
and fully, all the tithes of Mendelgif, and of all things
of old belonging to the church of Newport, without hindrance
or annoyance.
Translated
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 1948. Vol.II page 715.
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II.
No. DXXVII, pages 62-63.
1255 July 19th
Ordinance and taxation by John, Bishop of Landav ….
The church of St Gundlei of Newport ….. the abbot and
convent (St Peter's Abbey, Gloucester) should receive as
rectors all tithes of sheaves and hay, also of all rent
within the borough and without ; also they should have the
whole land, the whole meadow, except two acres, which belong
to the portion of the vicar, and the courtyard (curiam)
belonging to the said church. The vicar should receive,
as vicar, tithes of milk, wool, flax, lambs, oblations,
and all other small tithes, and the said two acres of meadow,
and the whole to the of hay at Henrevaur.
Translated
by James Conway Davies Episcopal Acts Relating to Welsh
Dioceses 1066-1272 1948. Vol.II. pages 737
Published in Latin by W.H. Hart Historia et Cartilarium
Monasterii S. Petri Gloucestriæ 1863. Vol. II.
No. DXXV, pages 61-62.
1324
March 4
Hugh Despenser as lord secured for his burgesses and tenants
in Newport, Cardiff, Usk, Caerleon, Cowbridge, Neath and
Kenfig release from all tolls, murage, pontage, picage,
pavage, quayage, terrage, lastage, stallage, tronage and
other customary dues levied on traders or their merchandise
in royal boroughs in any lands ruled by Edward II.
Calendar
of Charter Rolls 1300-1326 page 461
A.C. Reeves in Boroughs of Medieval Wales (edited
by R.A. Griffiths) 1978 page 208
1361
October 8
Will of William Welsche
Bequests include 2s to the Vicar of St Gunley (Woollos)
and 12d to the bridge of Newport.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D.43. 5491
1377
Between Thomas, Abbot of Saint Peter's at Gloucester, and
the convent of the same place, appropriate rectors of the
parish church of Newport, of the one part and
Henry Tesdale, prior provincial in England of the order
of Hermits of Saint Augustine, and brother Thomas
Loche, the Prior, and the brethren of the same order at
Newport
The said Abbot and convent, at the earnest request of the
Lord Hugh, Earl of Stafford, their founder, have given to
the said Prior or guardian, and the brethren, of the same
order, licence, and free liberty, to erect, build, and construct
an oratory or house of the said brothers hermits, upon those
thirty-one burgages, being in the parish of their said church
of Newport. …..
And lest the said Abbot, and convent … or their church
of Newport, should suffer any loss in tithes, and oblations,
arising from the places so given to them, … and likewise
for the site of the chapel of Saint Nicholas, and the area,
or land to the said chapel annexed, and adjoining …
the Prior or guardian of the said house of brethren at Newport
… shall pay an annual pension of 13s. 4d. to the vicar
of their church of Newport.
Thomas
Wakeman 'The Monastery of Austin Friars at Newport'
1859. pages 5-6.
Quoting a deed enrolled in the Ledger book or Chartulary
of Gloucester Abbey.
1385
April 14
The first proper charter granted to the burgesses of Newport
by Hugh, earl of Stafford. This was restated in the charter
of 1427 and of 1476.
1403 August 9th
Gloucester and the adjacent March of Wales. Re. inquisition
held at Thornbury.
In the dower of Anne his wife from the lands of Thomas late
earl of Stafford …. In his demesne as of fee of the
king in chief, service unknown, he held the castle and
vil of Newport and the lordship of the county of Wenllwch,
with its members in Stow, Rhymney, Dowlais,
Pencarn, Dyffryn and Ebbw, with the
manor, lordship and forest of Machen annexed to the lordship
of Wenllwch, which was worth yearly before the insurrection
of Owen de Glyndourdy £215 17s., but now nothing because
all burnt, destroyed, wasted and made nought by Owen and
other rebels in his company.
Calendar
of Inquisitions Post Mortem. Vol.XVIII 1-6 Henry IV
(1399-1405) page 272
1427
April 3rd
(confirming the Charter of Hugh, Second Earl of Stafford.
1385 April 14th)
Charter of Humphrey, Fifth Earl of Stafford, for the Burgesses
of Newport in Wales.
….. And such are the bounds, viz., from the graveyard
of St. Gwynllwg [St. Woollos] to the native lands
of the lord formerly of Robert Houlot and John Dawe, the
lands called Brendekyrgh, the croft called Corteyscroft
there and the croft of Margery Watte thereto annexed, the
lands formerly of Roger the Clerk called Coummicheshull,
thence by the road as far as the chapel of St Thomas
so that the entire road there be within the bounds of the
town aforesaid, And thence along the road as far as Bryngelond,
so that the entire road there be within the bounds of the
aforesaid town, and so along the ditch between the lands
and burgages of the Burgesses by descending of the water
course of the mill of the lord, and so by the croft of the
said Bryngelond and of other lands as far as the fishpond
of Kemell, so that the entire water-course there
be within the bounds of the aforesaid town, and so by the
said fishpond as far as the stone called the Rock
opposite the house of John ap Adam, thence beyond the road
as far as the lands of the said John and of David ap Ieuan
ap David, the lands called the Halys and the meadow called
Crinde and so along the river to the Parkpull
as far as Groundesende within our lordship and by
the land as far as Crokeslonde, Mullond land,
Kingshill and the lands of the Abbey of Gloucester
as far as the said graveyard.
See:
William Rees 'The Charters of the Borough of Newport
in Gwynllwg' 1951
1433
May 5th
Grant by Humphrey, earl of Stafford, to John of Newport,
burgess "To erect and maintain a tenement, situated
on the walls of the town adjacent to Gervey's
Gowte".
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D.43.5458.
(N.B. entry from catalogue - original deed not located)
1460
Death of Humphrey, 1st duke of Buckingham at the Battle
of Northampton.
Minority of Henry 2nd duke of Buckingham.
1466
The lordship of Newport and Wentllwg with their members
(i.e. divisions or parts). Accounts of all and singular
the ministers (i.e. local officers or agents of the lord)
there in the time of William Lord Herbert farmer by letters
patent (i.e. the person who administered and controlled
the land and received rents - by authorisation of the king)
during the minority of Henry, heir by blood of Humphrey
lately duke of Buckingham.
Stowe:-
Account of Morgan ap Jenkin ap Philip, improver there
2 shilling of free rent of Nest the daughter of Rosser concubine
of Mr William Cady
Brendkergh
The court of Stowe held at Rumney
The river called Nantmelyn, Longwarth near
the Yoke.
The Charnel. Lands lying in an angle near Pilewell.
The road leading from Holeway towards Mendalgiff.
Acreman street at the higher end of Cowles.
Long street.
The mountain near Bilescourt. Erleshyppon,
Selwynhurne.
Thomas Arblaster, lately sheriff of Wentllwg. Field called
King's hill.
Newport Borough:-
Accounts of Thomas Vaughan ap Rosser, mayor of the town
there
Nor of £16 20s. ¾d. of rent of assize of the
borough there with 22s.9d. of rent of divers burgages late
in the tenure of the overseer of Stowe to be paid at certain
times …. Nor of the farm of fishery waters which was
accustomed to be sworn ….
Farm of the customs ….
Sum £32.
Thenceforth is reckoned in allowance of the rents of 3 burgages
of the mayor by reason of his office 3s. And the rents of
divers burgages being in the hands of the lord, void and
burnt in the time of the Welsh rebellion as is reckoned
by examination of the preceding accounts £4.
To be paid to brother Burghill. D.D., prior of Malpas, for
his pension which ought to be received from ancient times
to his priory 36s,
Ministers Accounts for the Lordship of Newport 1465-1466
Translation by Joseph Bradney A History of Monmouthshire
Volume 5 The Hundred of Newport. Edited by Madeleine
Gray. 1993. pages 7-8.
1473 January 4th
Licence for the king's kinsman Henry duke of Buckingham,
kinsman and heir of Humphrey, late duke of Buckingham, tenant
in chief, viz. son of his son Humphrey, to enter freely
after Michaelmas last, without proof of age or other formality,
into all castles, towns, lordships, cantreds, commotes,
manors, lands, fee farms, annuities, reversions, rents,
services, hundreds, offices, fees, views of frank-pledge,
courts leet, sheriffs turns, liberties, franchises, fairs,
markets, jurisdictions, knights' fees, advowsons and other
possessions in England, Wales, the marches of Wales and
the town of Calais of which the late duke was seized and
which should descend to him.
By the King. Westminster
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 12 Edward IV page 367
1476
September 16th
Charter from Henry Stafford, second duke of Buckingham,
restating the charter of 1385. Additional right given to
the burgesses to build a jail in the town for their own
use.
A.C.
Reeves Newport Lordship 1317-1536 1979. page 121
W. Rees The Charters of the Borough of Newport 1951.
page53.
1484 January 7th
Westminster
Grant for life to William Kemes of an annuity of 10 marks
from the issues of the king's lordship of Newport in South
Wales.
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 1 Richard III page 414
1484
February 11th
Grant for life to the king's servant Thomas ap John, one
of the yeomen of the king's chamber, of the office of porter
of the castle of Newport in South Wales with custody
of the warren of rabbits there, lately pertaining
to Henry, late duke of Buckingham, and in the king's hands
by reason of his rebellion, with wages of 4d. daily from
issues of the lordship of Newport and all other profits.
By privy seal.
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 1 Richard III page 405 and page 410
1484 May 11th
Grant to Nicholas Spicer, one of the esquires of the body,
of the office of receiver of the lordships of Brekenoke,
Neweport, Uske and Carlion in South Wales with fees of 20
marks yearly.
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 1 Richard III page 437
1484
September 13th
Grant to James Tirell sheriff of the king's lordship
of Wenllouk, and steward of the king's lordship of Newport,
Wenllouk ……
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 2 Richard III page 474
1484
September 25th
Appointment of William Mistelbroke and Richard Lusshe as
auditors of castle and lordship of Newport …….
Calendar
of Patent Rolls 2 Richard III
1502
November 10th
Will of Morgan ap David ap Thomas
Bequest of 12d to the Augustine Friars of Newport
Gwent
Record Office deed. D.43.5500
1525
April 3rd
1) John Parker of Kairlion
2) James ap Watkin, Thomas ap Hopkyn of Newport, William
Gunter and Lewis Phillip of Kairlion
Grant of two tenements in Newport between the tenements
of Llew' ap Jevan Vaghan ap Mo' Veyth on the East, capell
of St Lawrence on the West, abutting upon the high street
going through the town on one side and the other abutting
upon St Lawrence lane, which premises he lately purchased
from John ap Howell Symond and Agnes Pryne his wife.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.467
1535
August 20th
1) William Moris Senior, of Stowe in St Woollos
2) William Hewse, a burgess of Newport
Assignment of a lease for 99 years held from the mayor and
burgesses of Newport of land called Capthorne belonging
to the church of St. Woollos
Tredegar
Papers 1/1
Circa
1536-1539
The bridges of Cairleon and Newport be booth of wood.
From the haven mouth of Wisch (River Usk) to the mouth of
Remney (Rumney) wher no haven is or cumming yn meete for
shippes, a vi. miles. On this shore is no very notable thing.
The bankes of it be clyvid inough to defend the se for raging
into the low ground of Wenceland (Wentlooge).
Newport is a bigge towne wherof that parte where the paroche
chirch is, stondith on a hille. The chirch is S. Guntle
(Woolos), Olave in Englisch.
Ther is a great stone gate by the bridge at the este ende
of the toun, a nother yn the middle of the town as in the
High strete to passé thorough, and the third at the
west end of the toune : and hard without it is the paroche
chirch. The fairest of the toun is al yn one streate. The
toun is yn ruine. Ther was a house of religion by the key
beneth the bridg. The castelle is on the este side of the
toun above the bridge.
Newport
is in Wentlugh (Gwynll?g) a myle and more by foote path
from Cairlion, and standeth on (the river) Uske, having
a prety stronge town ; but I marked not whyther yt were
waulled or no. There is a very fair castel longing sumtyme
Bukkinghams.
The
Itinerary in Wales of John Leland in or about the years
1536-1539.
Extracted from his Mss. Arranged and Edited by Lucy Toulmin
Smith (1906). Pages 14 and 45.
1538-1539
The House Late of the Black [recte Austin] Friars
of Newport within the Bishopric of Llandaff.
Account of Morice Baker, farmer there during the aforesaid
time.
Arrears: None because it is the first account of the same
now computing on behalf of the lord the King.
Total: None.
But he answers for 3s. 4d. for the rent of the site late
of the aforesaid house, with two rooms, one hall, kitchen
and one garden, in the tenure of Morice Baker.
And 10s. rent of 6 acres of arable land lying within the
aforesaid site called Freers Close in the tenure of the
aforesaid Morice Baker.
Total 13s. 4d.
Sum total of the charge 13s. 4d. which he handed over to
Edward Walter, Receiver of Particulars of the lord the King
there, of the issue of his office for one year by a bill,
signed in the hand of the said Receiver, and remaining among
the memoranda of this year and so he withdrew this year
quit.
Henry
John Randall and William Rees, editors. 'First Financial
Accounts after the Suppression'.
Published by South Wales and Monmouth Record Society. 1957.
page 56.
1543 January 24th
(1) William Morgan of Caerllyon gent. and Jane Morgan of
the same, widow formerly a relict of Lewis Blethyn gent
(2) William Janckyn of Newport
Release
of one burgage within the borough of Newport in a place
called le Greate Baylee between the land formerly
of William Hugh, deceased, on the South, a lane called le
litill streete on the North, the highway leading from
the clock house to the bridge on the West. Also of Blethynis
landes, Kyngishill, Brightor(?), Corneis lane
Tredegar
Papers 58/38
1545 November 12th
Reference to a burgage within the Greate Baylee and to a
lane called St Laurence's Lane
Tredegar
Papers 58/34
1550 January 22nd
Grant to the king's councillor William Herbert, K.G., master
of the Horse and President of the Council in Wales ; ……
the late chantry called Jenkyn Clerkes Chauntrye within
the parish church of Newporte, Monm. ; the late chantry
called Morgan ap Rossys Chauntrye within the said parish
church of Newporte ; the late chantry called Saynt Laurence
Chappell in le Greate Baylye within the town of Newporte,
Monm. …… except 20s. to the repair of Neweporte
bridge out of Jenkyn Clerkes Chauntrye and 20s.out of
Morgan ap Rossis Chauntrye and 6s. 8d. out of Saynt Laurence
Chappell
Calendar
of Patent Rolls. Edward VI. 1549 -1551 pages 416-417.
1564 December 17th
1) John Kemes of Llanllythan, gent.
2) Gylles Morgan of Newport, Esq.
Bargain and sale of lands in the parish of Saynt Wollos,
including lands called the mylland, brandyer acre and
kaye penetoyne.
Tredegar
Papers 7/1
1570 September 13th
A survey of the rents in Newport due to the Earl of Pembroke.
The lists of burgages, tenements, etc. are given in the
following locations:
" Ex parte orientali alte vie a Craks yate usque
pontem (On the east side of the road by Crooks Gate
[probably the West Gate] as far as the bridge). 16 rents.
" Subtus Corneslane (Behind Corn Lane) 14 rents.
" Subtus Skynners lane in parva ballia (Behind
Skinners Lane in the Small Bailey). 2 rents.
" Infra magnam balliam (Within the Great Bailey).
3 rents
" Subtus venellam St. Laurencii (Behind St.
Lawrence Lane) 7 rents
" Ex parte occidentali alte vie a Crookes yate usque
pontem (On the west side of the road by Crooks Gate
as far as the bridge). 21 rents. (rents include Thomas lloyde
holding lez porches 2 pennies and Edmond Morgan of
Bedweltie holding le crese 3 pennies)
" Subtus Paynes yate (Behind Paynes [Baneswell]
gate) 9 rents
" Subtus novam portam parvae balliae (Behind
the new gate of the Small Bailey). 6 rents.
" Infra magnam balliam (within the Great Bailey)
14 rents.
" Extra Hirstingeste diche a Crooks yate usque Paynes
well (Outside Hirstingeste dyke as far as Paynes well)
14 rents (rents include Thomas lloyd holding a burgage called
Longeheye 14 pennies and Will'm Thomas Buttry holding
Crooks crose 2 shillings- possibly a reference to
the cross which stood on the Stow Hill corner with present
Havelock Street}
" A Paynes well usque le march extra portam borialem
(From Paynes well [Banes well] as far as the
boundary outside the North Gate). 3 rents.
" Infra regalem [viam] incipiens apud Roodehill
in parte australi vie ibidem (Within/below the Royal
road beginning near Roodehill on the southern side of the
same road) 8 rents.
" A predicta porta usque molendinum in eadem parte
vie (From the aforesaid gate as far as the mill on the
same side of the road) 5 rents.
" Ex parte boreali vie a Rode Hill incipiens extra
regalem viam usque molendinum {From the north side of
the road to Rode Hill beginning beyond the royal road as
far as the mill}. 18 rents.
" Via Rodehill juxta Briglonde usque molendinum
(The road [at] Rodehill near to Bringlonde as far as the
mill) 2 rents.
" Maderscoste (Maderscrofte) 8 rents.
" A fonte St. Gunlei juxta Kingshill usque aquam
de Uske (By St. Gwynllyw's [Woolos] spring near to Kingshill
as far as the water of the Usk 3 rents. Roger Will'm holding
Caniscrofte 24 pennies ob., Morgan ap Hoell holding
le pole heye 6 pennies, Roger Will'm holding Smale Acere
2 pennies.)
" Grenelane (Green Lane) 1 rent.
" Cornislane (Corn Lane) 14 rents
" Pilelane (Pill Lane) 1 rent.
" Skinnerslane (Skinners Lane) 5 rents
" Venella St. Laurencii (St. Lawrence Lane)
7 rents. (includes Villa [i.e. the town] holding le Greene)
" Tenentes per indenture (Tenants by indenture
[i.e. by deed] )
(Maltilda Hayle widow holds … 1 parcel of enclosed
vacant land, 2½ burgages adjacent to the fosse
[i.e. ditch or moat] of the castle of the lord in the same
place, with 2 parcels of the said fosse by the boundary
stones(?) and boundaries, by ancient usage and custom …
in return for a rent and repairing the fosse etc. 2 shillings
6 pennies.
Lewes Thomas holds several burgages namely 7 in 1 enclosed
place, inherited by him, lying near to Corn Lane.
7 shillings
Anna [namely] Saunder. 1 garden adjacent to and near lez
Spittelhouse
[hospital]. 2 pennies.
Will'us Watkin. 1 garden to him, adjacent to and near lez
Spittelhouse.
2 pennies.
National
Library of Wales Ms. 17008D.
See: Bradney J. A History of Monmouthshire Volume 5.
The Hundred of Newport. 1993. pages 32 - 35.
1594
September 16th
Letter of Attorney from Lady Florence Herbert of St. Julian's
to William Evans re. Manor House etc. at Newport.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D.43 1594
1596-97
An acte for the repairing of the Bridges of Newport and
Carlion, in the County of Monmouth.
That whereas a certain great bridge of timber called Newport
bridge is standing over the River of Uske, in the Countie
of Monmouth, and is, and of long time hath bene the meetest,
and most necessary passage and high way, that leadeth into
the parts of South wales, and out of the same to London,
Bristowe, and other parts of England, and is of late fallen
to great ruine and decay, and likely dayly (not repaired)
to become not passable, whereby the saide high way shall
bee from henceforth utterly taken away, to the great hinderance
and hurt of a great multitude of your Highnesse Subjects,
travailing into those parts : as also by reason of the great
povertie of the Inhabitants of the saide Townes of Newport
and Carlion … that the Inhabitants in the Shire, and
Countie of Monmouth, shall stand for evermore chargeable
for the maintenance, repairing, amending, and newe making
of the foresayde Bridges of Newport and Carlion …
39
Elizabeth Chapter 23.
1612
November 29th
1) Anthony Welsh of Lanwarne, gent., Elizabeth his wife,
Henry Morgan of the ffriers near Newport, gent., and fflorence
his wife
2) Thomas Morgan of Ruerperry Esq.
Bargain and sale of parcels of land in St. Woolos, including
the Mylland, the Bumland, Brandire acre, and Bleathin's
land.
Tredegar
Papers 7/4
1617
February 14th
1) Maurice Jones yeoman of Newport
2) William Morgan gent of Lantrissen
Release and Quitclaim £20 of half a house and half
a garden adjoining, between the land of William Morgan Kt.,
on the south, the land of Thomas Morgan Esq. of Wilton on
the west, the Common ditch on the north, and the
King's highway through the town on the east.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.6121
1621 April 24th
1) Thomas Morgan esq. of Ruerprey (Ruperra) co. Glamorgan
2) William Morgan gent. his brother of Lantrissen, Monmuth
Appointment of Attourney to enter a curtilage or parcel
of land and garden, containing a burgage, formerly of Morgan
ap David ap Gllym ap Meyricke lying in the Great Bailey
in Newporte, to take possession according to a charter made
to Thomas Morgan by Walter Thomas of Newporte.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.5492
1653 November 1st
1) Edmond Morgan of Penlloynsarth Esq., Margarett his wife,
and Henry Morgan gent., eldest son and heir of the said
Edmond.
2) Thomas Morgan of Machen Esq., and Edward Morgan of Lanthewy
Ritherch gent.
3) Harry Morgan of Riska, gent.
Agreement in consideration of a proposed marriage between
the said Anne, one of the daughters of the said Thomas Morgan,
to levy a fine (for settlement of estates and provision
of a jointure) of ………. a messuage called
Coulde toppe in St Wooloes ……..
Tredegar
Papers 8/1
1663 June 20th
1) Edmond Morgan the elder of Newport, co. Mon., esquire,
Henry Morgan of Penlloynesarth co. Mon., esquire, son and
heir of the said Edmond Morgan the elder, and Edmond Morgan
the younger, gent., second son of the said Edmond Morgan
the elder
2) Thomas Morgan of Tredegar, co. Mon., esquire
Mortgage in 200 _ paid to one Hugh Williams in settlement
of a debt owing from the said Edmond Morgan the elder, of
a messuage and tenement of land called Allterin otherwise
Alter yr-yn containing 40 acres lying within the
parish of St Woolloes ……..
Tredegar
Papers 80/36
1668 March 18th
1) William Morgan of Tredegir Esq.
2) ffrancis Pettingall of Newport
Lease for three lives of a messuage, one cartilage, one
garden, and one parcel of garden called St. Lawrence
Churchyard in the town of Newport, a parcel of lands
called Kaeyr ffynnor in St. Wollos, and 2 parcels
in Christchurch, but reserving timber and minerals.
Tredegar
Papers 7/10
1679
September 30th
1) Vavasor Williams, corviser (shoe maker) of Newport
2) John Plumley gent. of Newport
Release of three dwellings in Mill streete opposite
to Saint Thomas' Well and now in the occupation of
Thomas Seys, Prissilla Edmond and Elizabeth Morgan.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.3489
1719
February 1st
1) John Young, grocer, of Newport, Joan his wife and John
Young tobacconist of London (first and only son and heir
of John and Joan).
2) Thos. Clifford, gent, of Newport.
Lease of a messuage called the store house containing one
store house or warehouse and a salt house or place for refining
or making of salt in Newport in a lane leading from the
Middle Gate towards the river of Uske and adjoining
the lands of John Morgan Esq. of Tredegar and the Pill vulgarly
called Arthur's Pill.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.3319
1720 October 26th
1) Lewis Morgan Esq. of the Stow, St. Woollos
2) William John Charles, carpenter, of Lanvihangel Juxta
Lantarnum
Lease of the site of a ruined ox house and stable and rickyard
in Mill Street, Newport.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.1413
1723
1) Lewis Morgan of the Stow, Saint Woollos
2) Thomas Clyfford, Gent., of Newport
Release of the Fryers Newport, now in the tenure of Thomas
Thorne, storehouse with parcel of wast ground called The
Waterside and The Key and a wharf in Newport
now in tenure of John Lewis, messuage and garden in Newport
now in the tenure of Thomas Wilkins, messuage and lands
in Saint Woollos called The Connyger in the tenure
of Thomas Frost and Thomas Edwards, lands in Saint Woollos
called Cae Coch, etc in the tenure of Morgan Thomas,
five closes of land in Saint Woollos in the tenure of Thomas
Thorne, messuage and farm in Monythyslloin in the tenure
of Jenkin John Morgan.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.3321
1735
November 17th
1) Blanch Morgan and Catherine Morgan, spinsters of Newport
2) Mary Jones widow, victualler, of Newport and Thomas Hughes,
shoemaker, and Elizabeth his wife
Lease for one year of messuage, with outhouses, cartilage
etc. in Newport, now or late in the occupation of Edward
Harry, shoemaker or his under-tenants, between the house
of William Morgan of Tredegar in the possession of Morgan
Jenkins Taylor, house of Henry Morgan Esq., of Penllwyn
in the possession of Eunice Gilbert, widow, and adjoining
to the orchard of Charles Griffiths gent. of Llaneravon,
in the possession of Thomas Dumayn, maltser, and to the
street leading from the Markett house towards the Middle
Gate.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.644
1745
March 14th
1) Edward Williams gent., of Pencarn, Bassaleg
2) William Seys Esq., of Newport
Lease of a piece of ground called Kair Graig in Saint Woolos,
having the lands of Lewis Morgan esq., deceased, and the
lane leading from Stow to Munjoy on all or
most sides.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.1415
1785
Lease between Joseph and Mary Newton of London, Catherine
Halfpenny, and John Blewitt and William Kemeys
Respective shares of the lower Friars, with cider mill,
gardens, two pieces of land, warehouse with wharfs and docks;
piece of rough ground adjoining wharfs and key.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D.43.3322
1793
The quaint old market house (16th or 17th century?)
was erected in the middle of the street (High Street) opposite
the present handsome post office. It was a curious remnant
of architecture, with ponderous roof-work, massive gable
ends, low antiquated gate and doorways. The market house
remained many years in a ruinous condition, until at length
it became a public danger, when it was taken down in 1793.
James
Matthew 'Historic Newport' 1910. pages 87-88.
1798
May 13th
Order to construct wharfs and warehouses to the Monmouthshire
Canal at Friars Field and Cinder Hill on the
lands of William Kemeys, Catherine Halfpenny, Mary Newton,
Charles Morgan, John Jones and Anthony Montonnier Hawkins.
The
wharf to be raised above the highest tide or one foot above
the top water in the canal, with small stone and gravel
stained yellow.
A
quay 45 feet long to be built at the Moderator
Slip for a landing place, and a wall from there to the
top of the wharf and a crane for lifting goods etc. from
the loading place to the wharf, canal, or warehouse.
A
warehouse to be built 36 feet by 18 feet.
The
whole length of the inside of the canal next to the river
to be walled from bottom to one foot above top water.
Seven
loading quays to be built on the side of the river, about
20 feet high. The top to be above the highest tides 16 feet
wide with proper docks for vessels toile there.
Rail
roads to be made from the loading quay to the canal for
small wagons to run upon, and a partition of 4 inch planking
between the wagons and the canal, that the coal may be thrown
from the boat to wharf.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.1299
1799
On the demolition of the "Westgate" prison
in February, 1799, a new prison was built in Mill Street
James
Matthews 'Historic Newport' 1910. page 89.
1801
"Newport was once surrounded by walls, though no vestiges
at present remain. Three gates are mentioned by Leland as
existing in his time, of which the site of the eastern and
the western may still be traced. The pivots belonging to
the hinges of the east gate, near the bridge, are discernible
in the walls. The western, which was used as the town prison,
has been lately taken down; it was an ancient structure
in the gothic style, built of red grit stone, with a shield
charged with a chevron on each façade (these appear
to be the arms of Ralph Stafford).
Near this gate, in the high street, is an old spacious building,
with an ornamental front, and a coat of arms, carved in
stone, over the door. This was called the murenger's house….
Leland
mentions a house of religion in Newport 'by the quay beneth
the bridge'. The remains of this friary still exist, near
the banks of the Usk, below the bridge. They consist of
several detached buildings containing comfortable apartments,
and a spacious hall, with gothic windows, neatly finished
in free stone; the body of the church is dilapidated; but
the northern transept is a small and elegant specimen of
gothic architecture. It is now occupied by a cider mill,
and the press is placed in a small recess which was once
a chapel, separated from the transept by a bold and lofty
arch. The gardens are enclosed within the original walls."
William
Coxe 'An Historical Tour of Monmouthshire' 1801. Vol.I.
pages 48 and 56.
1807 March 26th
Lease of land by Sir Charles Morgan to the Tredegar Wharf
Co.
Of all that garden and orchard or part where of lately stood
cottages and messuages …. lately agreed for or conveyed
to the said Sir Charles Morgan by John Jones and is bounded
by the street leading from the Westgate to the Cinderhill
Wharf by the main street of Newport, by the lane going
from the Westgate to the Friars Fields, by
another lane leading out of the last mentioned lane to the
Cinderhill wharfs, and by a ditch which divides it from
other land and garden ground of the said Sir Charles Morgan.
ALSO all that piece or parcel of meadow containing 4 acres,
commonly called Cae Pitchog, except a small part
thereof, agreed to be conveyed to John Jones now in the
possession of Anthony Montonnier Hawkins. ALSO all those
5 pieces of arable and meadow land containing by measurement
15 acres and 24 perches now in the possession of Mary Jenkins.
ALSO a certain messuage and garden known by the name of
the Red Cow with its appurtances late of the property
of John Jones and a garden to the northward and southward
thereof, all which … are situated in the parish of
St Woolos, having the Sirhowy tramroad on the south,
lands of the said Sir Charles Morgan on the west and south,
the main street of Newport to the north-west and premises
of the Rev. Mr Davies and late Colton's to the north and
a lane leading from the Westgate Inn towards the
said tram road on the east. And ALSO all those 62 pieces
of arable, meadow, and pasture land containing by measurement
202 acres for the same more or less, situate lying and being
in the said parish of St. Woolos in the said county of Monmouth,
having the River Usk on the south and south-east parts thereof,
a lane leading to the Hundred Acre Pill from and
out of a certain road going from St Woolos Church
to Mendlegief Common on the south part thereof, the
lands of Mr Phillips and lands of Mr Thomas Edwards in part
and the said road leading from St Woolos Church to
Mendlegief Common on the west except a half acre
which is to the west of the said road, the Sirhowy tramroad
leading from the weighing machine near Court-y-bella
to Newport on the south and lands of John Jones of Llanarth
and a field of William Kemeys on the east and north part
and sides thereof, all which here mentioned premises are
more particularly delineated and described on the plan schedule.
Gwent
Record Office. Deed D43.677
1839
Newport Workhouse, Stow Hill, which stands on the site of
the "Old Stow Fair," was both a House for the
poor and a Barracks for the military in 1839.
James Matthews 'Historic Newport'. 1910. page 258.
1859
(PRN 00193g Site of Newport Mill - now the slip road
north of Old Green Roundabout and Newport Castle. ST 3110
8856)
In
the gable end of a building, now forming the flour mill
in Mill street, opposite the Pontypool Railway Station,
are the traces of a large gothic window, which from its
size was apparently of the fourteenth century. This building
is most probably the remains of that scared edifice (chapel
of St Lawrence) (i).
(i) From
other records this would not appear to be St Laurence Chapel.
Thomas
Wakeman 'The Monastery of Austin Friars at Newport with
notes on the House of Blackfriars and other minor ecclesiastical
establishments' page 9.
Monmouthshire and Caerleon Antiquarian Society. 1859.
1884
The third "Westgate" of the Victorian Jubilee
era was under the proprietorship of Mr Samuel Dean from
1884, and remained so down to a recent period. Mr Dean,
who witnessed the alterations during the taking down of
the old and erecting the present buildings, says:- "In
excavating underneath the old (Chartist) Westgate Hotel,
preparing the foundations of the present building, the workmen
came across an old spiral stairway, and at the bottom a
stone porch, forming the entrance into a subterraneous passage
or subway, was discovered, leading under the road (Stow
Hill) in the direction of Messrs. Smith's property. The
contractor being satisfied did not proceed further, and
the place was filled in."
James
Matthews 'Historic Newport' 1910. page 108.
1884 July 11th
AN INTERESTING RELIC. When the men employed in demolishing
the Westgate Hotel were at work on the Stow Hill corner,
they came upon a small stone-archway, which some think may
have formed part of the old west gate of the town.
The gate, which had been pulled down before the hotel was
built, stood at the foot of Stow Hill, and the archway unearthed
a few days since, is supposed to have existed for the convenience
of pedestrians. How this remnant could have been enclosed
in the hotel masonry is however a perplexing question.
Octavius Morgan Esq., and other gentleman versed in antiquities
here, have inspected the fragment without being able to
suggest a reason for its presence where found.
On Tuesday the Mayor and other members of the Corporation
were grouped in front of the arch and photographed by Mr
Villers.
The
Monmouthshire Merlin July 11th 1884. page 4.
1885
(PRN 00157g. Stow Hill Motte - Stow Park Avenue ST 3047
8745)
In a field within a short distance of the church (St Woollos),
formerly very well known, there was, not long ago, a moated
mound, on the summit of which was planted a group or clump
of fir-trees, and it was called "The Fir-Tree Field".
There are several of these mounds about the country. They
consist of a circular, conical mound having a flat, table-top,
usually about 50 feet in diameter, and surrounded by a deep
foss or moat. The mound is now in the grounds of Springfield,
laid out by the late Mr Gething, who built the house. It
is, however, no longer a mound, but is buried up to the
top with the spoil brought up to the surface by the shafts
during the excavation of the tunnel of the Great Western
Railway, which runs underneath. Its site, however, is still
marked ; for in order to preserve it, as the fir-trees were
all cut away, I suggested to Mr Gething, when he was laying
out his grounds, to collect together the large masses of
rock brought up out of the tunnel, and place them in the
form of a cairn on the summit of the mound where the fir
trees had stood. This he did, and the spot and the size
of the summit of the mound are still preserved by the heap
of large stones. The diameter of the top was exactly 50
feet. It used to be sometimes called "the Grave of
St Wollos" ; but that was incorrect, as these mounds
were not burial-places, but the dwellings or strongholds
of the chieftains or rulers of the district."
Charles
Octavius Swinnerton Morgan 'History and Descent of the
Lordship of Wentllwch".
Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. II. 1885. pages 261 - 262.
©
Bob Trett 2007
