Monnow Street is the main shopping street of

Monmouth Monmouth ( or ; ) is a market town and community (Wales), community in Monmouthshire, Wales, situated on where the River Monnow joins the River Wye, from the Wales–England border. The population in the 2011 census was 10,508, rising from 8 ...

, south east

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

. It runs for about 500 yards in a south-westerly direction from Agincourt Square to the

Monnow Bridge Monnow Bridge ( ), in Monmouth, Wales, is the only remaining medieval fortification, fortified river bridge in Great Britain with its gate tower standing on the bridge. Such bridge towers were common across Europe from Middle Ages, medieval t ...

, which crosses the

River Monnow The River Monnow () marks the England–Wales border for much of its length. After flowing through southwest Herefordshire, England, and eastern Monmouthshire, Wales, its confluence with the River Wye is approximately south of Monmouth. The ...

History and buildings

The road is thought to have existed at least from

Roman Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

times.

Keith Kissack Keith Edward Kissack MBE (18 November 1913 – 31 March 2010) was a British schoolteacher and historian. He is notable for his many publications on the history of Monmouth and Monmouthshire. Life Kissack was born in Clun, Shropshire, to Rev. B ...

, ''The Lordship, Parish and Borough of Monmouth'', Lapridge Publications, 1996, , p.14 In the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and ...

it was a typical market street, known as the "Great Causey",Kissack, ''The Lordship, Parish and Borough of Monmouth'', p.25 with gates at either end and a wider area in the middle for the trading of livestock and the erection of market stalls.

, ''Monmouth and its Buildings'', Logaston Press, 2003, . p.34 The market was later concentrated at the northern end of the road (now Agincourt Square), and the road itself became known as Monmouth Street. Archaeological investigations at properties in the street, led by the

Monmouth Archaeological Society The Monmouth Archaeological Society is a society of amateur and professional archaeologists who encourage the preservation of archaeological artifacts and sites, publish, and carry out archaeological studies in and around Monmouth, Wales. Histo ...

, have revealed both Roman and Norman remains, as well as evidence of mediaeval iron working. David Hunter, ''Offa's Dyke Path: A Journey Through the Border Country of England and Wales'', Cicerone Press, 2011
, p.60 The street is described by architectural historian John Newman as a "pleasingly continuous array of C18 and early C19 shops and houses, in the main modestly two-storeyed, with several Victorian interventions".John Newman, ''The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire'', Penguin Books, 2000, , p.409 Notable buildings include

Cornwall House Cornwall House is a town house located at numbers 56 and 58, Monnow Street in Monmouth, Wales. It dates in part from the 17th century but was rebuilt in several stages later. The street facade and rear facade are very different, but both are rew ...

, The Vine Tree and the Robin Hood Inn.

Gallery

File:Monnow street showing a procession after WW1.jpg, Monnow Street in July 1919, showing a procession of servicemen and civilians to celebrate peace after the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

File:1947 flood in Monnow st..jpg, 1947 flood in Monnow Street File:Goat Master.jpg, Goat Master with mascot in Monnow Street during the Olympic torch procession in 2012

References

{{Streets in Monmouth Shopping streets in Wales Streets and squares in Monmouth, Wales