CHEPSTOW, (Monmouthshire) 2 m. from the passage over the Severn to Aust-Ferry, 16 m. from Bristol, and 102 cm. 131 mm.
from London, near the mouth of the Wye, over which it has a fine wooden bridge, is large, well built, and populous, and
stands on a hill. 'Twas formerly walled round, and had a castle and a priory. The Clares, Es. of Pembroke, were once the
Lds. of it, but it passed by marriage to the Bigots, and so to the Es. of Worcester, now Ds. of Beaufort. This is the port
for all the Ts. that stand on the rs. Wye and Lug. Ships of good burden may come up to it, and the tide comes in with as
much rage as at Bristol, it rising commonly 6 fathom at the bridge, which is 70 foot above the surface of the water, when
the tide is out. In Jan. 1738 the bridge was much damaged by the rise of it above 70 foot. As half of it is in
Glocestershire, it is maintained at the expence of both Cos. A beautiful Roman pavement was discovered here in 1689. Its
Mt. is on S. for corn, &c. but especially swine; Fairs on the F. in Whit.-Week, Aug. 1. and the F. before St. Luke's. The
D. of Beaufort has a seat here, it being in the list of his baronies. The remains of its wall are still visible on the S.
side of it, as are 2 or 3 of its bastions.