The Cambrian Tourist, or, Post-Chaise Companion through Wales [1834] / Containing cursory sketches of the Welsh territories, and a description of the manners, customs, and games of the natives

by Anonymous

FLAXLEY ABBEY,

the seat of Sir Thomas Crawley Bovey. This valley was formerly called Castiard, or the Happy Valley; and a monastery for Cistercian monks was founded here by Roger, the second Earl of Hereford, and the charter confirmed by King Henry II. The abbey was standing till the year 1777, when part of it was unfortunately consumed by fire; since that a considerable portion of building has been added, and it is become a very desirable summer residence. The views from the park, behind the house, are very extensive, commanding the vale of Gloucester, and the river Severn, gay with vessels; whilst the extensive forest of Dean, and Flaxley Abbey, form nearer objects for admiration. This wood abounds with the most charming walks; and while it affords refreshing shelter from a summer’s sun, admits partial views of the adjacent country. Camden, in speaking of the forest of Dean, derives its name from Ardene, a wood, in the Gaulic and British languages. It lies between the two rivers Severn and Wye, and contains thirty thousand acres. The soil is well adapted for the growth of oaks and forest timber; and the situation particularly commodious for exporting it for ship-building, and other purposes. The immense quantities of wood annually felled for the use of the navy have so thinned this forest of its timber, that it is now preserved till a certain growth, by act of parliament. Camden observes, that the oak of this forest was so considerable, that the Spanish armada had orders to destroy the timber of it in the year 1588. It suffered considerably in the great rebellion.

The iron manufactory has long been carried on in this forest; and to this day immense beds of iron cinders are found, the reliques of the Romans. These cinders are not half exhausted of their ore, and are consequently worked over again: a proof that the Romans knew only the weak power of the foot blast. As we drew near

NEWNHAM

the Severn became more considerable. The town, situated on the banks of the river, and backed by the forest of Dean, is very ancient, and in the year 1018, this manor was granted by King Canute to the Benedictine abbey of Pershore, in Worcestershire. [25] The churchyard affords a variety of objects worthy the attention of the passing stranger, amongst which the church of Westbury forms the most conspicuous feature in the landscape. The view, previous to our descending the hill to