Chepstow, a river-port of Monmouthshire, a sub-port to Gloucester, on the right bank of the
Wye, 2½ miles from its influx to the Severn estuary, and 17 ENE. of Newport. It lies between bold cliffs, on a slope rising from the river, in the midst of exquisite scenery. Its noble ruined castle, later chiefly than the 12th century, stood two sieges during the great Rebellion, and has been held successively by Fitz-Osbornes, Clares, Bigods, Herberts, and Somersets. The railway crosses the Wye by Brunel's tubular suspension bridge (1852), 600 feet long, and 50 above high-water, the principal span being 300 feet long. Here occurs the highest tide in the British Islands; though the accounts of it have been frequently exaggerated. In January 1846 it rose 47 feet above low-water mark, but this level, though often approached, is not known to have been exceeded. Pop. (1851) 4295; (1891) 3378. See Fitchett Marsh, Annals of Chepstow Castle (1883).