Monmouthshire
Welsh Trefynwy
Unitary authority in southeast Wales; population (1996) 80,400;
area 851 sq km/328 sq mi. Its administrative centre is Cwmbran.
The main rivers are the Wye and Usk, which are famous for salmon
and trout fishing. Features include Chepstow and Raglan castles,
Tintern Abbey, and salmon and trout fishing. The lowlands have
rich mixed farming, with arable crops, including wheat, being
important. Between 1974 and 1996 the former county, minus a small
strip on the border with Mid Glamorgan, became the county of Gwent.
Historical Features
During the Roman occupation the only Roman town in Wales was built
at Caerwent. There are also ruins of feudal strongholds at Chepstow,
Caldicot, Raglan, and elsewhere, and the remains of Tintern Abbey
and the Cistercian abbey of Llanthony are here.
Political History
Medieval Monmouthshire was undoubtedly Welsh. The Act of Union of 1536
created the original county out of `divers Lordships Marchers
within the said Country or Dominion of Wales´. Later, in the Tudor
period, it was brought under the jurisdiction of the courts of
Westminster in certain matters, while separate courts were provided
for the rest of Wales. It has been included in Wales since 1964
when the description Wales and Monmouthshire was dropped.
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