Wolvesnewton
| Wolvesnewton Welsh: Trenewydd Dan-y-Gaer | |
| Monmouthshire | |
|---|---|
 Llanvihangel Court | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | ST454997 |
| Location: | 51°41’36"N, 2°47’29"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 148 |
| Post town: | Chepstow |
| Postcode: | NP16 |
| Dialling code: | 01291 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Monmouthshire |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Monmouth |
Wolvesnewton is a small village and ancient parish in Monmouthshire, found six miles north-west of Chepstow between the villages of Devauden and Llangwm.
The village is located on the northern slopes of what was then Wentwood, which covered a larger area than today. Forest clearances under the Normans led to the establishment of several other "new" villages in the area around the same time, and, as at Shirenewton about four miles to the south.
Parish Church
Like that in Shirenewton, the parish church of Wolvesnewton is dedicated to Thomas Becket, who had been killed in 1170 and was declared a saint three years later. The church largely dates from the 13th century but was substantially restored in 1855-57. The war memorial in the churchyard incorporates part of a large mediæval stone cross.[1]
Gaer Fawr hill fort
The Iron Age hill fort at Gaer Fawr ("great fort"), about a mile south-west of Wolvesnewton, is the origin of the Welsh name of the village, and is one of the largest hill forts in Monmouthshire.
History
The parish takes its name from the family of Wolf, who were lords of the manor in the 13th and 14th century, with their house at Cwrt-y-gaer. According to family tradition, they originated in Thuringia and came to the area with the Romans.[2]