Monnow Bridge was built towards the end of the 13th century on the site of an earlier timber bridge. The bridge had a defensive gate with portcullis and was in turn defended on the Welsh side by a ditch and rampart called the Clawdd Ddu or Black Dyke. As a defensive bridge, the Monnow was a disaster as the river can easily be crossed without using the bride. Over the years it has been used for toll collection, as a guard room for the Militia, as a Bridewell, as a lock-up, as a store house and as a private dwelling. Over the years the ... (more)