Left to right: Arthur, Tewdric and Offa, depicted in lifesize wooden sculptures at the Old Station, Tintern.


Rubbing shoulders with royalty


In this Diamond Jubilee year, the events of 1952 are inevitably big news. Like the rest of Great Britain, local events to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne are centred on the special bank holiday weekend in June. But our royal connections are visible all year round. It might surprise you to learn that the Wye Valley & Vale of Usk has significant links to many regal characters – some fairly recent, others shrouded in the mists of time. There are some pretty interesting stories to be uncovered at sites across the region. Here’s a selection, including some you probably won’t find in the guide books.


Arthur 5th–6th century Caerleon has long been associated with the legend of King Arthur. In the 12th


century Gerald of Wales confirmed that it was here that ‘Roman Legates came for an audience at the great Arthur’s famous court’. But it was Geoffrey of Monmouth’s recently written fanciful history, Historia Regum Britanniae, which sparked the creation of the powerful legend. Others have further embellished the tale, including Alfred, Lord Tennyson, who has almost become part of the story itself. He visited Caerleon for inspiration to write his masterpiece Idylls of the King, staying at the Hanbury Arms; the window overlooking the Usk valley is still known as Tennyson’s window. idl.newport.ac.uk/legendofkingarthur


Tewdric c.580–c.630 Tewdric (or Tewdrig) was a King of Gwent who was fatally wounded while


defeating the invading Saxons at Pont y Saeson, near Tintern. On his final journey, springs arose to bathe his wounds wherever he stopped. He died at a place now called Tewdrig’s Well in Mathern. Kingstone Brewery in Tintern has created an ale named Tewdric’s Tipple. thecircleoflegends.co.uk kingstonebrewery.co.uk


Offa


8th century This King of Mercia was one of the leading figures in Saxon history, extending


his influence to include most of England south of the Humber. After devastating invasions by the Welsh, Offa built a massive linear earthwork to define the boundary and defend his territory. Known as Offa’s Dyke, and still traceable for much of its length, it was originally about 27 metres wide and 8 metres high. offasdyke.demon.co.uk


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