Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Monmouthshire South East Wales, British Isles [Map]

The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 1 Chapter 5. At the castle of Usk [Map], a multitude of persons influenced by the archbishop's sermon, and by the exhortations of the good and worthy William bishop of Landaf,⁶⁵ who faithfully accompanied us through his diocese, were signed with the cross; Alexander archdeacon of Bangor⁶⁶ 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 [Map] and leaving far on our left hand the castle of Monmouth [Map], 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 [Map], having crossed the river Usk three times.⁶⁷ Caerleon [Map] 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.

Note 65. William de Salso Marisco, who succeeded to the bishopric of Llandaff, A.D. 1185, and presided over that see during the time of Baldwin's visitation, in 1188.

Note 66. Alexander was the fourth archdeacon of the see of Bangor.

Note 67. Once at Usk, then at Caerleon, and afterwards on entering the town of Newport.

On 16th September 1386 King Henry V of England was born to King Henry IV of England (age 19) and Mary Bohun (age 18) at Monmouth Castle [Map]. He was created Duke of Cornwall the same day. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.60%.

16th September appears in Henry V's birth record found in Prologus in Cronica Regina printed by Hearne.

French MS 54 at the John Rylands Library in Manchester: "1386 Nat[us] e[st] henric[us] primogenit[us] henrici Com[iti] derb[er]ie xvj° die Septemb[ris]" i.e. "Henry the first-born son of Henry, earl of Derby, was born 16 day of September".

Mary Bohun: Around 1368 she was born to Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton and Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England. On 16th January 1373 Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey, Earl Essex, Earl of Northampton extinct. His estates were divided between his two daughters Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester, wife of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and Mary Bohun, wife of Henry of Bolingbroke, the future Henry IV, although the title and estates should have been inherited Gilbert Bohun who was a grandson of Humphrey Bohun 2nd Earl Hereford 1st Earl Essex. On 5th February 1381 Henry Bolingbroke and she were married at Arundel Castle and Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton. He the son of John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster. They were second cousins. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England. Froissart Book 4 Chapter 94. Before 19th October 1398. You must know that the earl of Derby and the late duke of Gloucester had married two sisters [Note. Mary Bohun and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester], daughters to the earl of Hereford and Northampton, constable of England: the children, therefore, of the earl of Derby and duke of Gloucester were cousins-german by their mother's side, and one degree removed by their father's. To say the truth, the death of the duke of Gloucester had displeased many of the great barons of England, who frequently murmured at it when together; but the king had now so greatly extended his power, none dared to speak of it openly, nor act upon the current rumours of the mode of his death. The king had caused it to be proclaimed, that whoever should say anything respecting the duke of Gloucester or the earl of Arundel, should be reckoned a false and wicked traitor and incur his indignation. This threat had caused many to be silent, afraid of what might befal them, who were, nevertheless, much dissatisfied.