Portskewett, Monmouthshire

Description
Portskewett, a village and a parish in Monmouthshire, on the estuary of the Severn, the Julian Way, and 5 miles SW by S of Chepstow, with a station on the South Wales section of the G.W.R. at the terminus of the Severn Tunnel, and a post, money order, and telegraph office under Chepstow. Acreage, 1111 of land, with 423 of adjacent tidal water and 543 of foreshore; population of the civil parish, 1190 ; of the ecclesiastical, 1237. The name is said to be a corruption of Porth-is-Coed (the port by the wood). Portskewett was an important place in the ancient territory of Gwent, and a castle was built by Harold, which was burnt down in a Welsh raid. The living is a rectory, united with the rectories of St Pierre and Sudbrook, in the diocese of Llandaff; net value, £293 with residence. The church is ancient and has been restored. In the churchyard are the remains of a fine cross.