There is evidence that an ancient ridgeway between Monmouth and the coast at Mathern passed through Devauden. Roman coins from the period of Antoninus Pius were found in the village in 1840.
The church of St James
Devauden was said in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle to have been the place where the Britons were overwhelmed and defeated by the combined forces of the Anglo-Saxon monarchs, Æthelbald of Mercia and Cuthred of Wessex, in 743.[2] The name may be derived from the WelshTy'r ffawydden, or "house of the beech tree". Until the mid-20th century the village was often known as The Devauden.
Devauden and the nearby hamlet of Fedw or Veddw (from Welsh Y fedw, birch grove) were originally clusters of illicit cottages built as a base by woodcutters, mule drivers, quarrymen and labourers linked to the wireworks at Tintern and the Angiddy valley.[3][unreliable source?] The village was historically part of the parish of Newchurch.
On 15 October 1739, John Wesley preached his first sermon in Wales on the village green at Devauden. He wrote in his journal: "Upon a pressing invitation, some time since received, I set out for Wales. About four in the afternoon I preached on a little green at the foot of the Devauden ... to three or four hundred plain people on "Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." After sermon, one who I trust is an old disciple of Christ willingly received us into his house.."[4]
James Davies (1765–1849) was schoolmaster at Devauden for over 30 years during the early 19th century and was responsible for establishing a village school in 1815. In 1830 the school was converted into a chapel and a new schoolroom was built next door. Davies gained a strong local reputation for enduring personal hardship in order to help the poor in the community.[4] The school closed in 1986. The small parish church is dedicated to St. James.[5]
Devauden's population was 1040, according to the 2011 census;[1] a 7.44% increase since the 968 people noted in 2001.[7]
The 2011 census showed 11.4% of the population could speak Welsh, a rise from 5.8% in 2001.[8]
Governance
An electoral ward in the same name exists. This ward stretches from Devauden to Llangwm. The total ward population taken at the 2011 census was 1,480.[9]
A field of three acres (1.2 ha) called "Crooked Billet", north of the village on the B4293 road, used to be part of the county of Herefordshire. It was transferred to the Monmouthshire in 1844.[10][11]
Chepstow Park Wood
Chepstow Park Wood, located immediately south of the village towards Itton, is an extensive area of mixed woodland owned and managed by the Forestry Commission, and popular with walkers.[12] It was established as a hunting forest and deer park in around 1280 by Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk, the lord of Striguil or Chepstow Castle. It covers about 3,300 hectares, and was originally enclosed by a fence stretching 7.8 km. Around 1340, it was occupied and taken over by a band of outlaws led by William de Derneford and his son Robert. It was re-enclosed with a stone wall around 1630, and at the same time a stone lodge was built in the centre of the forest, with views back towards Chepstow, for the use of visitors to the forest.[13] Later, the wood became notorious as a haunt of highwaymen. Historically, the woodland lay within the parish of Newchurch East.[14] Chepstow Park is listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.[15]
Amenities
The Hood Memorial Hall was opened in 1953, funded by a local resident, Mrs. Hood, on land donated by Lady Curre.[16] The pub,[17] the Mason's Arms, dates from around 1800.
The village is located within the Wye ValleyAONB. The garden at Veddw House[18][19] is a popular visitor attraction.
^County Boundary. Returns from Clerks of the Peace of Insulated Parcels of Land in the Accounts and Papers of the House of Commons Vol 21 1825, own page numbers p 3
^Gwent Local History: The Journal of Gwent Local History Council issue 56, Spring 1984 p. 27, available The National Library of Wales
