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Valley under the Lodge Wood Roman Camp from near Brynglas House, Newport, Mon.,
and Civil War Cannon discovered at Pill Mawr.
Sketched March 24th 1893 by William Henry Greene.
 
     
This view of Lodge Wood Roman Camp comes from the 'Scrapbook' of William Henry Greene. The scrapbook is in the collection of Pontypool Museum; this image is copyright © Newport Past 2004. The volume was photographed by arrangement with Torfaen Museum Trust - the project being financed by the sponsorship of Steve Thomas Financial Services. For information about W H Greene and a large selection of sketches from the book visit our website NEWPORT PAST.

The cannon is interesting, and here is the full text, handwritten by William under the sketch:

This cannon 37½ inches long was, about the year 1849, found by the late Mr Rogers, then living at Pill Mawr Malpas. It lay by the side of a well, in a wooded watercourse which runs down the hillside, from opposite Mount Pleasant Cottage (Mrs Brind's), on the Old Caerleon Road, down to the river Usk near Pill Mawr (now occupied by Mr Scard). Mr Rogers sold it for 10 shillings to the late Mr Jacob Nicholas, of Malpas Villa; and it remains in Malpas Villa, in the possession of Jacob's nephew. It seems to have been abandoned by Royalist or Parliamentary troops, when marching between Caerleon and Newport. A cannon ball was, some years ago, found by Mr William Edwards, of Bassaleg, who now, 82 years old, sweeps Tredegar Park. It was in a rabbit hole, near the side of the Bassaleg Road, below Tredegar Park, but on the cemetery side of the road. These things indicate the route of the troops in the Civil Wars.

It would have been wise for troops making their way between Caerleon and Newport, whether advancing or retreating, to use 'the Old Roman Road' or 'Pill Mawr Road' as, by following that route, there were no bridges to cross. The other route (via Christchurch) would necessitate crossing both Caerleon Bridge and Newport Bridge - both made of wood in those days - where troops were more vulnerable to attack or delaying tactics.

Another of W H Greene's sketches, King Arthur's Round Table, can be seen in the Caerleon Net Archive.

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