Goodrich, Herefordshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"GOODRICH, (or Goderich), a parish in the lower division of the hundred of Wormelow, county Hereford, 4 miles S.W. of Ross, its post town, and 5 N.E. of Monmouth. It is situated on the banks of the river Wye, which is here crossed by a bridge. The parish is traversed by the main road from Gloucester to South Wales, and includes the townships of Goodrich, Glewstone, and Huntisham, and the hamlet of Pertcraig. In the village are many cider mills. The surface is undulated, and the scenery picturesque. A small priory of Black Canons was founded here by Richard Talbot, lord of Goodrich Castle, in 1347.

The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Hereford, value £354, in the patronage of the bishop. The church is an ancient stone edifice dedicated to St. Giles. It contains some old tablets and monuments. The parochial charities produce about £34 per annum. There is a National school for both sexes. Here are extensive ruins of the old castle, formerly the residence and property of the Talbot, Pembroke, and Grey families, but destroyed by Oliver Cromwell.

The principal residence and chief attraction of this neighbourhood is Goodrich Court, or Castle, the residence of Col. Meyrick, celebrated for its collection of armour and implements of warfare, both ancient and modern, and for its paintings and antiquities. The building itself is a castellated mansion, after the style of those in the reign of the first Edwards. There are several good residences. Earl Ripon takes from this place the title of viscount."

"GLEWSTON, a township in the parish of Goodrich, or Goderich, lower division of the hundred of Wormelow, county Hereford, 3 miles S.W. of Ross. It is situated on the river Wye."

"HUNTISHAM, a township in the parish of Goodrich, lower division of the hundred of Wormelow, county Hereford, 1½ mile from Goodrich, and 5 miles S. W. of Ross. It is situated on the river Wye."

"PENCRAIG, a hamlet in the parish of Goodrich, lower division of the hundred of Wormelow, county Hereford, 5 miles S.W. of Ross. It is situated near the bridge over the river Wye. The principal residence is Pencraig Court."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]