I am transcribing a perambulation of Hewelsfield, taken in 1791. At one point it mentions a place which is not clear. It is either Castle Birch or Castle Bwch. The former seems more likely but I realise Bwch is close to the Welsh word Bwlch so am wondering what it should be. Does anyone know the true name, please?
Liz

Hi Bethany,
I'm afraid I must away to feed the family, but is it mentioned in this extensive Hewelsfield area History at all ?
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol5/pp150-159
atb J

Sadly not. I have checked both the VCH entry and the Place Names of Gloucestershire books and Google. Any help much appreciated.

If you are able to give details of the places either side of this entry, it may be of help?

On this map is marked a place called Castle-a-Buff which is similar enough to be worth considering. Look just south-west of the H in HEWELSFIELD towards Mill Hill.

http://maps.nls.uk/view/102346037

Thanks, Paul. The first paragraph of the perambulation reads:

"The Parishes of Hewelsfield and Wollaston are divided by a brook that empties itself in the River Wye at Brockwear, up the brook to a field called Eves Leys, continuing the brook to an oak in Eves Leys about one hundred yards above Castle Birch [Bwch?] & from that oak to a bush growing upon two rocks in the same field. From thence crossing into the Bayley Meadows & alongside the hedge up to the Cowstall barn, through Hewersfield Clift by the hedge to the Church Way Mead, up to the Roads Wood to a Crab tree; from thence strait along the hedge to the Chepstow road."

In response to Mike, the place name is quite clearly written as one word, beginning with 'B' and ending in 'ch'. It is just the little bit in the middle that is not quite clear. Castle-a-Buff could definitely be a variation on the name, though. I will keep it in mind. And thanks for the link to the map - I was aware of the site but had never used it before.

Bethany

There is a place in Gwent, Wales (UK Vice County Monmouthshire) called Castell-y-bwch. It means Castle of the buck or billy (goat). It has but a few buildings, including a pub, of the same name, beloved of under age drinkers from Cwmbran! Position: 51deg 37min 35.95sec N 30deg 30min 39.7sec W.

I was brought up in Hewelsfield area and walked along the paths beside this brook on nature walks from school. Our headmaster was into teaching us the Local History but I can't recall Castle Bwch or Birch. This is intriguing.

Thank you for taking the time to forward the first paragraph of the perambulation.

The map which Mike Pinchin gave a link to was revised in 1918 and published in 1922. Over time it is possible that place names can change. In the 1922 map the area to the east of Cows Hill is named Cows Hill Wood. The very same area in the 1879 map of Monmouthshirehttps://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/353736/201125/12/100203 records the area as Hewelsfield Cliff (sic).

I read the perambulation as starting from Brockweir, on the northern side of the brook. Going upstream through Cutts Orchard emerging into Eves Leys, still on the northern side of the brook. Continuing on the northern side of the brook past Castle ???? to the bush growing upon two rocks. Then crossing the brook into Bayley Meadows, upto Cowstall barn and through Hewersfield Clift.

The perambulation does not describe getting as far as Castle-a-Buff. The brook passes through Castle-a-Buff, but, the perambulation talks of crossing the brook into Bayley Meadows before reaching Castle-a-Buff.

The earliest map I have seen is dated 1879. If you could find earlier maps you may find the answer.

In a speculative mood I might suggest that the old name could be Castell y Bwlch ( meaning, I believe, Castle of the Gap or Pass). I’m certainly no Welsh scholar but I think the pronunciation of the “y” would be like the English “u” in “fun”, so not too much of a shift to Castle-a-Buff. Also, it seems to be located in a gap between two hilly areas – hence the presence of the stream.

Thanks to Mike, Paul and Alison for their comments and suggestions. I am not familiar with Hewelsfield so appreciate any local knowledge I can get - I am working on perambulations in general rather than the parish itself.

I will let you know if I come up with a definite answer. If anyone would like a copy of the perambulation, I am happy to provide it. It is only three paragraphs long.

The place Castell y Bwch, and variants, is indeed a remarkable discovery. It is, perhaps, a shining white peak of Welsh antiquity emerging through the more recent Anglo-Saxon mist. Other Welsh names are rare. Hewelsfield is derived from Hwl + felyn (the mill of Hwl). Mile End, in old written versions, is transcribed as Myllin from melyn (mill). Lydney Pill (Lyd= Fleet + pwll =small inlet from the sea); Newent: Newydd Gwent (new Gwent); Pillowell: water inlet of Howell. The use of Llan followed by a native Welsh Saint, such a delight in my neighbouring County of Gwent, and indicating a foundation in the 6th century "Age of Saints", can only be found at Lancaut (Llan Cewydd). St. Briavels is also dedicated to a Welsh Saint.

It is not surprising there are so many welsh Place names in this area between the Severn and the Wye, I believe that at one time we were part of Wales and the Border with England was the Severn. Also People have moved back and forth over the Border for Work for centuries and where they have set up Home they have given it the same name as the place they came from. You will if you look at wales find Places with English Names too. Chepstow if I remember rightly means Sheep market.

I'm very late on this, but I found this thread while trying to research my family's old property. The place referred to in the perambulation is Castel-y-Bwlch. It is NOT the same place as Castle-a-Buff. I'm a first-generation American, myself, but I am familiar with the landmarks mentioned, after visiting Castel-y-Bwlch with my uncle on one of my visits. My dad used to play in the brook mentioned in the perambulation when he was a child.

Here are photos of Castel-y-Bwlch and property, taken from our visit.

I have just found this thread while trying to locate a relative's death location. It is listed as Castle-le-Boeuf, Hewelsfield. My research suggests that this is probably Brockweir area and could also be known as Castle-a-Buff. I can't wait to be able to travel to the area