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Could these arcades on the S. have once lead to a side aisle 
or chancel, and in later times been filled up? The low arches 
seem to be of much older date than the walled up space below 
them. The chancel is the oldest part of the church, probably 
13th century. The pulpit is a good specimen of 17th century 
work, and the small silver chalice, date 1577, is very elegant in 
shape. The tower, with turret staircase, on the S. side, has 
perpendicular belfry windows, but the base appears to be of 
much more ancient work—maybe Norman. Amongst other bits 
of local lore, the Rector alluded to a stone stile leading to the 
Church of Llanvair Discoed* (the Church of S. Mary below the- 
Wood), whereon was cut the following :— 
Whoever here on Sunday 
Will practis playing at ball ; 
It may be before Monday, 
The devil will have you all,— 
an allusion to the game not infrequently carried on against the 
church towers or walls, sometimes even during service time. 
Amongst other things, too, the Rector said that evidently the site 
of the church was once the highest point within the old walls, and, 
that the ground, though risen since, formerly sloped away in all 
directions from it. In an orchard to the N. of the church the 
Roman bath, now at Caerleon, was found. Quantities of tessere 
and Roman coins are unearthed from time to time, and a fine 
specimen of Roman pavement was found only a year ago, ina 
garden of the Coach and Horses Inn, but is now covered up 
again. Having seen as much of Caerwent as was possible under 
the circumstances, the Via Julia was followed to Crick, and 
evidences of the late heavy rains were seen in the flooded state 
* Llanvair = St. Mary 
is = below 
by = the 
Coed = wocd. 
