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Chepstow Castle, was courteously permitted, also the four incised 

 monumental slabs in the Chapel adjoining, inserted in the floor 

 of the chancel, one of which bears an inscription in Norman- 

 French, to the memory of Urian de St. Pere, temp , Edward L, 

 1239. The other three are of later date. Leaving the house, 

 the Members drove through the park with its numerous deer, 

 fine yew trees, and picturesquely broken limestone ground, on 

 their way to Sudbrooke Camp, inspecting by the way a ruined 

 megalithic structure on the right hand, near Portskewet, situated 

 on rising ground. The stones, of which some are erect, are com- 

 posed of a sandy Conglomerate, with small pebbles of quartz, and 

 are much weather worn. A quarry at the base of the rising 

 ground gives a section of the Limestone, which assumes a rich red 

 and yellow tint. Caldecot Castle, and the walls of Caerwent 

 and most of the old buildings in the neighbourhood are princi- 

 pally composed of a similar stone. Sudbrooke Camp, a portion 

 of which seems to have been washed aiway, is ^kid to have been 

 the first station of the Romans after crossing the Severn ; it 

 assumes a semi-circular or oval form, and has been likened to a 

 bow, the side next to the Severn forming the string. A small 

 chapel dedicated to the Holy Trinity, the original portions of the 

 edifice being as early as the twelfth century, stands at the north- 

 east angle of the camp outside the vallum. 



The gradual encroachment of the Severn at this point threatens 

 soon to undermine the remaining small space of ground between 

 tlae ruins and the river. Caldecot Castle with its fine gateway 

 and tower was the next point visited. Formerly the residence 

 of the Constables of England, and giving the title of Baron 

 Beaufort to the Dukes of Beaufort, it ranks amongst the finest of 

 the Castles in Wales. Situated in a level plain, its chief pro- 

 tection seems to have been the height and massiveness of its 

 surrounding walls with their encircling deep moat, which are 

 l)oth in a very fair state of preservation. At times, too, the 

 castle might be made difficult of approach, as all the country 

 E 



