NEWENT, (Gloucestershire) 89 cm. 104 mm. from London, in the forest of Dean, W. of the Severn, on a r. navigable by boats,
had its name from a new inn erected there, for the accommodation of travellers passing to or from Wales. The p. is 20 m.
in com. in which are several hamlets, and gentlemen's seats with good estates. The manor was in the crown, from Edw. the
confessor's time to the conquest; when it was settled on a priory in Normandy, whose abbot procured a grant for its Mt.
and Fairs; but it was seized by K. Edward III. when at war with France, who leased it to Sir John Devereux. K. Hen. IV.
settled it on Fotheringay-Coll. in Northamptonshire, as it continued till the Diss. when it was granted to Sir Rich. Lee;
from whom it came to the Wintours; and from them to the Foleys. Here are 3 almshs. and 2 ch. scs. Its Mt. is on F. and
Fairs on the M. before Easter, W. before Whitsontide, on Lammasday and Sept. 8.