History of Usk

Go here to view cottages in Usk

Usk (Welsh: Brynbuga) is a small picturesque town in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 10 miles northeast of Newport. Usk is noted for its rural setting, tranquil lifestyle and quality of life. It feels more like a village than a town. The River Usk flows through the town and is spanned by an ancient, arched stone bridge at the western entrance to the town. A castle above the town overlooks the ancient Anglo-Welsh border crossing - the river can usually be crossed on foot in summer even today. Usk won the Large Village award in the 2005 Britain in Bloom awards.

Amenities
The current population is less than 2,500 and the town is known for its abundant supply of pubs and restaurants and antique shops. Many people will make the drive from Newport and even further afield for a quiet meal away from the bustle of the city. The main street, which is the A472 road, is a narrow collection of old houses, restaurants, pubs, shops and businesses (some premises dating back to the 15th century), and it passes a large and tranquil town square.

"Usk Island" is a park named after the small, incidental island in the middle of the river. It is mostly laid to grass, with surrounding woodland. The park is popular for a picnic or stroll, and also has a substantial adventure playground.

The South Wales Gliding Club is located near Gwernesney, about three miles east of Usk.

History
Usk was founded about AD 55 as the Roman legionary fortress of Burrium, the earliest legionary fortress in Wales. Although the site was constricted by hills, subject to flooding, and not on a navigable river, it offered good communications inland up the River Usk. However, by around AD 75 its disadvantages had become apparent and the Romans relocated their military base south to Caerleon. The Roman remains at Usk are buried on the southern side of the town.

After the fortress 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 , whilst hidden from view by surrounding trees planted in the early 20th century, is one of the few castles still privately owned and occupied.

A Benedictine priory was founded around 1170, and part of the building is retained in the church of St. Mary. The town was incorporated by charters granted by Edmund de Mortimer, King Edward II, Edward IV, and succeeding monarchs. Its location meant that it was inevitably frequently caught up in the border disputes between the English and the Welsh.

Usk was the birthplace of Adam of Usk. His chronicle records the 'Welsh Revolt', in 1403, when Owain Glyndwr burned Usk to the ground while gaining control of South Wales against the oppressive rule of King Henry IV and his son, later to become King Henry V. The important Battle of Pwll Melyn (Usk) in 1405 occurred when English forces routed their Welsh opponents causing much loss of life, including the execution of three hundred Welshmen in front of Usk castle when taken prisoner. Owain's brother Tudur was killed in this battle. In 2005, the 600th anniversary of the battle of Pwll Melyn was commemorated by a son-et-lumiere show.

In 1678, Usk was the site of St David Lewis' martyrdom for his alleged part in the bogus Popish Plot of Titus Oates.

From the late 18th century, Usk became well known for the quality of its Japanware, a process of decorating metals by applying a lacquer to tinplate. The process was first developed in the west by Thomas Allgood of nearby Pontypool and was taken on in Usk by his grandsons Thomas and Edward Allgood.

Usk was a thriving market town through Victorian times. It takes its English name from the River Usk - a name of uncertain origin but resembling many others in Britain (e.g. Exe, Esk). It may be related to Scottish uisge ("water"), and therefore to "whisky". As with some other towns in Wales it was assigned an unrelated Welsh name Brynbuga during the latter 20th century. The Welsh speaking population locally is very low indeed and even natives of the area see themselves as not too Welsh.

Llanbadoc, just across the River Usk from Usk is the birthplace (1823) of Alfred Russel Wallace, co-discoverer of evolution.

Many people who took part in the Newport Rising of the 19th Century were involved with Usk.

Twin town
Usk was twinned with the German town Graben-Neudorf in Baden-Württemberg in 1980 and over the past few years there have been numerous visits between the two towns, with the Usk Youth Brass Band making its most recent visit in autumn 2006. In 2006 the colour scheme of Usk in Bloom was based on those within the crests of both Usk and Graben-Neudorf. It has a big clock

This History of Usk was written in January 2007

Here are some more sites, there are books & articles on the subjects in many internet places, or internet book shops,

The 10 Largest Welsh towns & cities

A site stating fascinating facts about Welsh Geography

A site on giant sloths, with mentions of animals that have been alive during the era of human history, that have gone extinct, from them to many other great species

100s of Great Websites

How castles are very important to Welsh history

A few pictures of Welsh Geography

The 10 Largest towns in North Wales

The 10 Best Welsh sporting results ever

A Multiple Choice Quiz on Welsh History

A List of some famous places in the Conwy Valley