Bettws Newydd

Bettws Newydd Welsh: Betws Newydd
St Aeddan's church
Bettws Newydd Location within Monmouthshire
OS grid reference	SO361061
Principal area	Monmouthshire
Preserved county	Gwent
Country	Wales
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	USK
Postcode district	NP15
Dialling code	01291
Police	Gwent
Fire	South Wales
Ambulance	Welsh
UK Parliament	Monmouth
List of places UK Wales Monmouthshire 51°45′00″N2°55′37″W / 51.74993°N 2.92704°W / 51.74993; -2.92704

Bettws Newydd (Welsh : Betws Newydd) is a small village in Monmouthshire, in southeast Wales located about 3+1⁄2 miles (5.6 km) north of Usk, a few miles south of Clytha near Raglan, Monmouthshire.

Etymology

The first part of the name of the village comes from the Middle English word bedhus, meaning "prayer house", which became betws in Welsh. ^[1] Bettws Newydd translates therefore to the new prayer house.

History

The site was originally an oratory or place of prayer and was founded by Saint Aedan of Ferns, who founded several churches in Wales and was also known as St Aidan of Llawhaden. As it was largely reconstructed in the 15th century as a new oratory it was referred to as Bettws Newydd.

An old early Norman motte and bailey tump sits behind trees in the village next to the public house. St Aeddan's is 15th century and a Grade I listed building. ^[2] It has a rare late medieval rood screen and rood loft carved from oak. In the churchyard are two yew trees estimated to be 1,000 years old. The trees are amongst the oldest yews in Wales.

On the surrounding hills are many tumuli or prehistoric burial mounds and at Coed-y-bwnydd meaning "the wood of the gentry" in Welsh (pronounced locally as 'Coed Bonnet'), is a large Iron Age hillfort with a massive mound protecting the entrance at the east and multi-vallate earthworks and entrenchments at that side, the other side being defended by a very steep incline. The wood and hillfort are in the care of the National Trust.

Black Bear pub

Amenities

The village has a selection of property and a public house and restaurant with accommodation. A golf course is sited behind the pub.

Notes

1. Welsh Place Names Dictionary
2. "Bettws Newydd Church, Llanarth, Monmouthshire".

References

• Monmouthshire, Its History and Topography, C.J.O. Evans, ~1950

External links

Media related to Bettws Newydd at Wikimedia Commons

• Monumental Inscriptions for St. Aeddan's Church
• Kelly's Directory for 1884
• Kelly's Directory for 1934
• List of Incumbents 1535 - 1987
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Betws Newydd and surrounding area
• Map sources for Bettws Newydd