The situation of this hereditary mansion is too low to produce a striking feature in the landscape; but it commands very agreeable views of the town of Monmouth and its environs--with the rivers Monnow and Wye, whose waters unite and form one channel a short distance below Troy House. <g>Grosmont</g>, from which the lords of Raglan take the rank of Viscount, is entitled to a brief notice in this place. In old writings it is spelt Grysmond, and contains a population of about eight hundred. The parish church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is in the patronage of the Prince of Wales. In the churchyard, in the east wall of the chancel, is a monumental slab, said to cover the remains of Kent, or Gwent, a Franciscan monk, whose wonderful achievements in the early part of the fourteenth century[310] afford materials for many local traditions. According to one of these, the inhabitants are indebted to this good neighbourly monk for the bridge over the Monnow, on the road to Kentchurch in Herefordshire. It is called <g>John of Kent’s Bridge</g>, and is said to have been built in one night. <g>The Castle</g> of Grosmont is a picturesque ruin.[311] It stands on a height commanding the view of a beautiful valley watered by the river Monnow, and bounded by Craig Savenny and the Garway Hill. The remains of this ancient castle occupy the summit of this hill, or rather eminence; its ivied walls, partly impending over the precipitous banks of the river, and towering at intervals through a grove of wide-spreading oaks, render the view extremely picturesque. “By Grysmond’s ruins, scarred with years, On yonder roofless turret standing, How rich--how beautiful appears The scene beneath my eye expanding! The oak’s green banner clothes the steep, There--herds and harvests bless the Giver; And there, in many a crystal sweep, Descends the Monnow’s classic river! And here--if e’er romance be found To love the vale or haunt the mountain-- Here is her home, with ivy bound, And here her grot, and crystal fountain. And here--to him who seeks repose, By sorrow worn, or passion driven-- Here is a refuge from his woes, And here sweet intercourse with Heaven!” &c.