Of the progress by the castle of Usk and the town of Caerleon
At the castle of Usk, a multitude of persons influenced by the
archbishop's sermon, and by the exhortations of the good and worthy
William bishop of Landaf, {71} who faithfully accompanied us through
his diocese, were signed with the cross; Alexander archdeacon of
Bangor {72} acting as interpreter to the Welsh. It is remarkable
that many of the most notorious murderers, thieves, and robbers of
the neighbourhood were here converted, to the astonishment of the
spectators. Passing from thence through Caerleon and leaving far on
our left hand the castle of Monmouth, and the noble forest of Dean,
situated on the other side of the Wye and on this side the Severn,
and which amply supplies Gloucester with iron and venison, we spent
the night at Newport, having crossed the river Usk three times. {73}
Caerleon means the city of Legions, Caer, in the British language,
signifying a city or camp, for there the Roman legions, sent into
this island, were accustomed to winter, and from this circumstance
it was styled the city of legions. This city was of undoubted
antiquity, and handsomely built of masonry, with courses of bricks,
by the Romans. Many vestiges of its former splendour may yet be
seen; immense palaces, formerly ornamented with gilded roofs, in
imitation of Roman magnificence, inasmuch as they were first raised
by the Roman princes, and embellished with splendid buildings; a
tower of prodigious size, remarkable hot baths, relics of temples,
and theatres, all inclosed within fine walls, parts of which remain
standing. You will find on all sides, both within and without the
circuit of the walls, subterraneous buildings, aqueducts,
underground passages; and what I think worthy of notice, stoves
contrived with wonderful art, to transmit the heat insensibly
through narrow tubes passing up the side walls.
Julius and Aaron, after suffering martyrdom, were buried in this
city, and had each a church dedicated to him. After Albanus and
Amphibalus, they were esteemed the chief protomartyrs of Britannia
Major. In ancient times there were three fine churches in this
city: one dedicated to Julius the martyr, graced with a choir of
nuns; another to Aaron, his associate, and ennobled with an order of
canons; and the third distinguished as the metropolitan of Wales.
Amphibalus, the instructor of Albanus in the true faith, was born in
this place. This city is well situated on the river Usk, navigable
to the sea, and adorned with woods and meadows. The Roman
ambassadors here received their audience at the court of the great
king Arthur; and here also, the archbishop Dubricius ceded his
honours to David of Menevia, the metropolitan see being translated
from this place to Menevia, according to the prophecy of Merlin
Ambrosius. "Menevia pallio urbis Legionum induetur." "Menevia
shall be invested with the pall of the city of Legions."
Not far hence is a rocky eminence, impending over the Severn, called
by the English Gouldcliffe {74} or golden rock, because from the
reflections of the sun's rays it assumes a bright golden colour:
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