SIR,

May I add a rider to the recent discussion on local Welsh place-names.

Newcastle has often been mistakenly referred to as Castell Meirch; the castle of the stallions – an unlikely place name for a castle.

In fact, the Latin primary source (the Book of Landaff) gives us Castell Merych, which means the Castle of Meurig.

A King Meurig shows up in a land grant concerning Newcastle circa 1030 AD, so I would suggest that the older pre-Norman castle was named after (or by) him.

Interestingly, while recently researching other grants, I discovered that Meurig's father was our old friend Guoronwy of Rockfield.

If any Beacon readers would be interested in liaising with me on place-names in Gwent and Archenfield, then please write to me at Nailers Lane Mill, NP25 3EH.

David Hancocks

(Monmouth)