NEWPORT, (Monmouthshire) has a fair stone-bridge on the Usk, 16 m. from Bristol, 116 cm. 151 mm. from London, and is a
pretty considerable T. with a good haven, and a Mt. on S. for cattle, &c. Fairs August 15, Nov. 6, and Corpus Christi-day.
It rose upon the ruins of Caerlion, and had a castle. Near it was a Roman military way, called Julia Strata; and they shew
a ford here in a stream, called Nant-Pentharn, where K. Henry II. found no small advantage by his freckled face; because
he no sooner passed this ford, though by meer accident, but the Welsh, who were very credulous of old prophecies,
submitted, because their oracle, Merlin Sylvester, had foretold they should be conquered by a prince of that complexion,
who should pass the ford.