The historic county town of Montgomery () in Mid Wales lies just three miles from the English border in the Welsh Marches. It is best known for its castle, Montgomery Castle, begun in 1223, and its parish church, begun in 1227. However its origins go back much further, as seen by the Iron age hill fort on the edge of the town. Other attractions include The Old Bell Museum, the Offa's Dyke Path, the Robber's Grave and the town wall, as well as several impressive buildings.

Even though the town has long since lost its trappings of power as a county town, there is still a bustling small commercial centre and continues to attract increasing numbers of tourists.

St Nicholas Parish Church, Montgomery

The parish church was founded in the first half of the 13th century, though the church has continued to change throughout the ages. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the church is the ornate rood screen, misericords and stalls which were transferred to the church from Chirbury Priory in Shropshire after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. The south transept shows evidence of Montgomery's close association with the Herbert family. The centrepiece is the Elizabethan era tomb or church monument to Richard Herbert of Montgomery Castle, father of poet and Anglican divine George Herbert. This association is recalled in a memorial poem to a well-known local man JDK Lloyd, who wrote the following poem after the style of George Herbert:-

This O, enclosed around, smoothe, with no entrance found, yet soone with newest life to overflow So has thy tombe, by Pilate sealed, to us that third day Life revealed, O grant that I, some morning bright, my earthly Shell, then broke, may wear, in White, Thy Yoke.

Montgomery Primary School

The current school was established in 1865 with land donated by Lord Powis and monies from the then Rector, the Hereford Diocesan Board of Education as well as many smaller gifts. The school remains an important feature of community life. It remains a church school (now the diocese of St. Asaph) under the control of Powys County Council.http://www.montgomery.powys.sch.uk/

Robber's grave

In 1821 a local man, John Davies, was accused of assault and robbery. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Throughout the trial and after the sentence Davies continued to claim his innocence and prayed that no grass would grow on his grave for a generation. His grave remained bare for at least a century, giving birth to the legend of the Robber's grave. The grave (now grassed) can still be seen in the churchyard.http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/montgomery/pages/robbers_grave.shtml

References

External links

• Montgomery-Wales
• Montgomery-Powys
• 'The Robber's Grave' story
• Montgomery Church in Wales primary school website
• Ann & John Welton 'The Story of Montgomery' Logaston Press 2003
• BBC Wales on Montgomery
• Ivyhouse Tearooms
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Montgomery and surrounding area

br:Trefaldwyn cy:Trefaldwyn de:Montgomery (Wales)