|
Tours > Wales > Caerwent
Caerwent (Kire Went)
Approximately one third of the way between Chepstow and Newport, just off the M4 is the village of Caerwent, site of an extensive Roman town which appears to have been more civilian than military, making it unique in Britain. The native Silures were removed from their hillfort at Llanmelin, one mile north, to settle in the new Roman town of Venta Silurum, now known as Caerwent (the fort in Gwent). The main London to Caerleon road ran through this purposely-planned town, first built in the year 75 AD, and added to during the next few centuries. The Normans added their motte-and-bailey castle in 1070.
In the village church, founded in the fifth century, but dating from the 13th, are found two inscribed stones, one erected by the tribal senate of the native Silures to a commander of the 2nd Roman Legion and governor of provinces in Gaul; and the other to the god Ocelus Mars, a merging of a Celtic and a Roman god. Visible today are remains of the Roman town walls and bastions, but nothing as complete as are found at Caerleon.
Next Stop: Caerleon
|
|
|
