Llangybi, Monmouthshire

infobox UK place
latitude= 51.6658
longitude= -2.9079
country= Wales
official_name= Llangybi
static_

static_image_caption = St. Cybi's Church at Llangybi
unitary_wales= Monmouthshire
lieutenancy_wales= Gwent
constituency_westminster= Monmouth
post_town= USK
postcode_area= NP
postcode_district= NP15
dial_code= 01633
os_grid_reference= ST309896
population= 300 Llangybi (also spelled Llangibby) is a village in Monmouthshire, in south east Wales, United Kingdom. It is located 3 miles south of the town of Usk and 5 miles north of Caerleon, in the valley of the River Usk.

History and buildings

The village was traditionally founded by the 6th century Cornish Saint Cybi. He is supposed to have crossed the Bristol Channel to Wales with ten followers. The local king, Edelig, threatened to evict them from his land, but as he approached them he fell from his horse, which died, and he and his men became blind. Edelig then prostrated himself and gave his body and soul to God, and he and his attendants were immediately cured and the horse restored to life. Edelig then, in thanks, gave Cybi land for two churches, including the one which became known as Llangybi, and a handbell. [ [http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/cybi1.html Vita Sancti Kebii] ]

Church of St. Cybi

The existing church, dedicated to St. Cybi (or Cuby), has been described as "one of the most interesting in the Usk valley" and "a delight".John Newman, "The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire", 2000, ISBN 0-14-071053-1] The tower, nave and chancel all date from the 13th or 14th century, and the church has 17th century internal fittings, including the pulpit, font, and monuments to the local Williams family. There are also wall paintings dating from the late medieval period and the 17th century. Outside is the site of a traditional well, also named for St. Cybi. [ [http://people.bath.ac.uk/liskmj/living-spring/journal/issue1/dipping/wsfemon1.htm Monmouthshire Wellsites] ]

Llangibby Castle

The site of Llangibby (or Llangybi) Castle is located almost 1 mile outside the village. The estate, including an existing motte and bailey castle, came into the ownership of the de Clare family in 1245. A new large, ambitious and heavily fortified stone castle was started in the early 14th century, either by Gilbert de Clare who was killed at Bannockburn in 1314, or by Hugh le Despenser who held the estate briefly after 1322. After coming into Crown ownership it was sold to the Williams family of Usk in 1554. During the English Civil War the run down castle was re-fortified and held by Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet, an influential local man whose loyalties to his locality, community and family remained firm even though his loyalties to his King, patrons and the establishment were severely tested by events during that turbulent time. The castle was slighted as a result. Its ruins still remain, surrounded by dense woodland. The Williams family built a new house nearby later in the 17th century; it was demolished in 1951.

The White Hart

The White Hart inn [ [http://www.whitehartvillageinn.com/ The White Hart] ] , a grade II listed building, was first built in the early 1500s and was to become the property of Henry VIII as part of Jane Seymour's wedding dowry. A century later Oliver Cromwell is reputedfact|date=October 2008 to have used it as his headquarters in Monmouthshire during the English Civil War. The interior still retains no fewer than 11 fireplaces from the 1600s, a wealth of exposed beams, original Tudor period plasterwork and even a priest hole. The Catholic martyr David Lewis preached in the inn when the church was closed to him; he was executed in Usk in 1679. In 2003, "The Guardian" reported that T. S. Eliot made cryptic reference to this pub in his poem "Usk". [cite news| first = John| last = Ezard| title = TS Eliot scholar finds answer to pub poet's riddle| url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2003/aug/06/highereducation.books| work = The Guardian| date = 2003-08-06| accessdate = 2008-03-29] Refurbishment of the inn ended in April 2007.

Amenities

Llangybi is home to approximately 300 residents. There is a village shop and a community or village hall where all the residents can discuss things about the future of Llangybi; the hall doubles as a cinema, as films are shown there from time to time. The church has a bell ringing club. The "The Devils Drop" is a steep hill which many people enjoy riding down on their bikes and which is popular with sledges in the snow. There are many public footpaths where one can walk and also a direct route to Usk, the nearest town. There is an annual "Hog Roast" which is an evening of music and a hog roasted on the spit.

References

External links

* [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~familyalbum/klangiby.htm Kelly's 1901 Directory of Monmouthshire on Llangibby]
* [http://www.castlewales.com/llangiby.html Castle Wales on Llangybi castle ruins]
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/browse.php?p=176757 Geograph photos for Llangybi]