Place:Usk, Monmouthshire, Wales

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NameUsk
Alt namesUsksource: from redirect
Brynbugasource: Welsh translation (Wikipedia)
Burriumsource: Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites (1976) p 173
TypeParish (ancient), Civil parish
Coordinates51.704°N 2.902°W
Located inMonmouthshire, Wales     ( - 1974)
Also located inGwent, Wales     (1974 - 1996)
Monmouthshire (principal area), Wales     (1996 - )
See alsoUsk Lordship, Monmouthshire, Waleslordship in which it was located
Usk Hundred, Monmouthshire, Waleshundred in which it was located
source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
source: Family History Library Catalog
the text in this section is based on an article in Wikipedia

Usk (Welsh: Brynbuga) is a small town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Newport, Monmouthshire. The town is located on the River Usk, which is spanned by an arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient crossing point. It developed as a small market town, with some industry including the making of Japanware, and a notable prison.

The resident population of the town in the UK census of 2001 was 2,318, increasing to 2,834 at the 2011 census.

History

The fortress at Usk was surrounded by ramparts and covered a large area. After it was abandoned, it continued to be occupied as a civilian settlement, with evidence of iron working. The Normans also realised Usk's geographical and military importance within the region, and the powerful de Clare family built Usk Castle as part of their plans for controlling the area's resources and people. The castle, now hidden from view by surrounding trees planted in the early 20th century, is one of the few castles still privately owned and occupied.

Between 1154 and 1170, Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke established a planned town, surrounded by an earthen rampart. The town was laid out in rectangular building plots, centred on the market square.

The de Clare lords and their successors established a hospital for lepers on the north side of the town bridge. Its charitable function probably died out in the 14th century, along with the disease. A plaque marks the site. The bridge itself was originally a wooden structure, first recorded in 1383, when it was reported to be in need of repair.

For more information, see the EN Wikipedia article Usk.

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This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Usk. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with WeRelate, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.