Note 19 — Chapter V · OF CAERLEON-UPON-USK
Reading edition
Of this wooden bridge G. W. Manby in his Guide (published 1802) gives an illustration, and says: “As numerous coins have been found where the piles of the bridge are now placed, there is no doubt of its being the original pass. To a person unaccustomed to such a bridge, the rattling noise whenever any weight is going over naturally occasions some apprehensions.... The accounts of the tide rising so high as to cover the bridge are erroneous; it never has been known yet; but that assertion has given rise to the idea of the bridge being purposely loose to prevent its being carried away in such cases. The amazing floods to which the river is subject would render it not surprising if accidents did happen.” Tennyson, who obtained from the genius loci both inspiration and enlightment, refers in Geraint and Enid to the rapidity of the turn of the tidal waters of the Usk:—
“Scarce longer time Than at Caerleon the full-tided Usk, Before the time to fall seaward again, Pauses.”
Modern Caerleon, however, with its commonplace railway station, its porters shouting “Car—lion,” its new bridge, its spoilt Norman church, and its street of small dwelling-houses, is likely at first to disappoint the pilgrim, who only by searching and waiting can hope to find the links with the city’s historic past.