COMING NIGHT, NEAR BEDDGELERT.
Beddgelert is one of the most romantically situated villages in North Wales.
The Castle is the dominating feature in the town, and is one of the finest examples of a Norman fortress that has been preserved. It stands upon a rocky eminence, and occupies nearly three acres. Founded by Fitz-Osborn, Earl of Hereford, in the eleventh century, it was almost rebuilt in the thirteenth. It was garrisoned by the King during the Civil War, but surrendered in 1645 to the Parliamentarians. The castle was divided into four great courts, and a number of round towers defended the exterior walls, while a deep ditch upon the land side, now used as a public resort, completed the defences.
The Church of St. Mary is built near the river, and is coeval with the castle. A priory stood here in the time of King Stephen, and the nave of the present church is the nave of the priory chapel. The larger part of the building is Norman, while the western doorway is an exceptionally fine example of the period. The tombs of Somerset, second Earl of Worcester, and Elizabeth, his Countess, are worthy of special notice.
The road to Tintern gives at first a view of the remains of an ancient bridge opposite Chepstow Castle, which, when in use, rose and fell with the tide. Piercefield Park lies upon the right hand, with an early camp amongst the trees. At St. Arvans the road bears to the right, and a number of S turns are met. Near here is the well-known 'Lovers' Leap.' Moss Cottage stands by the road farther on, with the Windcliff, famous for its glorious view of the Wye, above it. Upon the opposite bank of the river, and beyond the railway, is a lengthy section of Offa's Dyke, and probably a glimpse may be obtained from the road of the Devil's Pulpit.
TINTERN ABBEY
Tintern Abbey occupies a beautiful site upon one of the loveliest rivers in England, and the ruins have been claimed by many as the most picturesque in existence; but many other roofless abbey churches, placed in the same exquisite surroundings, would appear to equal advantage, and one is inclined to attribute Tintern's fame to its scenery rather than to its architecture. The abbey owes much to Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, and a descendant of the De Clares, who, according to the records, provided for extensive building in the middle of the thirteenth century; but much of the architecture, especially that in the south wall of the chapter-house, speaks of an earlier date. The cloisters are late Perpendicular (1469), and were undoubtedly of great magnificence. The abbey was dissolved in 1537, and since then the buildings have gradually fallen into decay. The structural parts which may be recognized are: the church, with north and south transepts; cloisters, on the north side of the nave; sacristy and monks' library, adjoining the north wall of the north transept; chapter-house and monks' parlour, monks' dayroom, parlour, refectory and almoner's room, all to the north; together with the kitchen, buttery, lavatory, and other small rooms.
The road from Tintern accompanies the Wye in conjunction with the railway-line, and beautiful hanging woods, broken up with grey cliffs, form lovely backgrounds to every view.
Tintern Parva is a small hamlet with a church erected in the Early English period, but not of great interest. At Bigsweir Bridge the river is crossed and the turning to the left taken. Offa's Dyke now lies upon the right hand.
Redbrook is a village placed in a small combe of great beauty. The church, with its Perpendicular tower, is worth seeing. The monuments to John Joce and his wife, temp. Edward III., are preserved there, together with two priests and a brass showing a 'free miner.'