Llangwm, Monmouthshire
| Llangwm | |
|---|---|
 St. Jerome's Church, Llangwm Uchaf |
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 Llangwm
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| Llangwm shown within Monmouthshire | |
| Population | 440 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SO425005 |
| Principal area | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Country | Wales |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | USK |
| Postcode district | NP15 |
| Dialling code | 01291 |
| Police | Gwent |
| Fire | South Wales |
| Ambulance | Welsh |
| EU Parliament | Wales |
| UK Parliament | |
Llangwm is a small rural parish and village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Usk, on the B4235 Chepstow to Usk road. The main village is at Llangwm Uchaf ("Upper Llangwm"), with a smaller and more dispersed settlement about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the north-east at Llangwm Isaf ("Lower Llangwm").
Llangwm Uchaf is best known for the Church of St. Jerome. The oldest parts of the church date from the 12th century, built in the Early English style. The church was partly rebuilt by J. P. Seddon in the 1860s.
The church contains a remarkable medieval rood screen and rood loft, c. 1500, restored during Seddon's 19th-century reconstruction. It has been described as a breathtaking sight, rising almost to the roof and one of the most spectacular rood screens in south Wales. It has been suggested that the village's remoteness saved the screen from destruction by the Puritans.
An ancient structure ornamented with trellis-work, possibly a stoup, a lamp or a piscina, was found built into the wall during restoration. Three "Green Men" with foliage issuing from their mouths are carved in the chancel arch.
Buried in the chancel of the church, though no memorial to him survives, is Walter Cradock, the 17th-century cleric born at Trefela 1.5 miles (2.4 km) south of the church. He was inspired to become an Independent by fellow church Dissenter William Wroth.
Swansea University historian Dr Alun Withey has examined in some detail a 1671 dispute over the church seating arrangements. He reports that the village was ablaze, with divers[e] variances, quarrels and debates even lawsuits, to the utter destruction and overthrow of manie. It was left to the churchwarden, respected local yeoman farmer John Gwin, to settle matters. Gwin's notebook containing his seating plan still survives, giving us, Withey argues, a rare insight into the world of parochial life in 17th-century Wales, and thus contributes greatly to our general understanding of Welsh history.
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