NEWPORT, PEMBROKESHIRE

'Newport' (Welsh: ''Trefdraeth'') is a town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, lying on the River Nevern (Welsh: Afon Nyfer) in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
The town was founded by the Norman William FitzMartin (c.1155-1209) about 1197. He was a son-in-law of The Lord Rhys, who nevertheless expelled him from his former base at nearby Nevern, which had been established by his father Robert fitz Martin. William founded Newport as the new capital of the Marcher Lordship of Cemais. Despite seizure from the native Welsh, it would remain within the FitzMartin family until the death of William, the 2nd Lord Martin, without male heir in 1326. It is a marcher borough. Owen, in 1603, described it as one of five Pembrokeshire boroughs overseen by a portreeve.^[2] It still retains some of the borough customs.
The castle built by FitzMartin is situated on a spur of Carn Ingli and has a surpassing view of Newport and much of the surrounding countryside. Though in ruins since at least the 17th century, it is impressive due to its site, and a converted house incorporating the castle walls (facing west over the town, the bay and the Irish Sea) is still inhabited.
The church of St. Mary's, sited below the castle though within the town, dates from the FitzMartin era, and the outside east apse bears their arms (''"Argent, two bars gules"'').
It is known today for its beaches, for the Carreg Coetan Arthur burial chamber and for the West Wales Eco Centre.
Newport also lies on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, has a youth hostel and is popular for walks in the Preseli Hills. Carn Ingli hill, home to an Iron Age hillfort and some Bronze Age hut circles lies just outside the town.
Newport is twinned with the village of Plouguin in Finistère, Brittany.

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References

1. Office for National Statistics Parish Headcounts: Newport, Pembrokeshire
2. Owen, George, ''The Description of Penbrokshire by George Owen of Henllys Lord of Kemes'', Henry Owen (Ed), London, 1892

Sources

''The Lords of Cemais'', Dillwyn Miles, Haverfordwest, 1996.
''Cemais'', Dillwyn Miles, Haverfordwest, 1998.

External links

★ Newport Pembrokeshire website