The village of St. Briavels, (pronounced "Brevels") in Gloucestershire lies on the east bank of the river Wye, 11 Km (6 1/2) miles upstream from Chepstow in Monmouthshire. The name St Briavels is thought to derive from the Celtic Saint-Brieuc.
The Castle, was built in 1086 as a hunting lodge for the Norman Kings to hunt deer in the Forest of Dean. It also served as a fortification to guard the Welsh border.
William, son of Baderon de Heathway, was appointed to the Lordship of Ruardean and St. Briavels.
His title was "Constable of the Forest of Dean", a hereditary title of the male line. The constable was a lesser Baron, since he answered directly to the King.
The Lordship of Monmouth was passed to Baderon, son of William I, who was called Baderon of Monmouth. The Lordship of Ruardean and St. Briavels was passed to William II,son of William I. he Heathway manor at Ruardean became the headquarters of William II and he became known as William de Heathway. (Hathaway).
The Castle is presently managed by the Youth Hostel.

The Forest of Dean:
They have an extraordinary range of activities available in the Forest of Dean. From archery, assailing, and quad biking to cycling, mountain biking, canoeing and climbing. And there are many wonderful to visit such as the National Birds of Prey Centre, the Three Choirs Vineyard in Newent and the ancient iron ore mines at Clearwell Caves, or try the Hopewell Colliery Museum where you can walk through a true Forest of Dean Freemine.
The Sculpture Trail, situated in the heart of the Forest of Dean is truly a magical and imaginative walk, where around every bend on the path you will find stunning sculpture placed among the backdrop of greens and gold, russets and red. Or take a walk through the Puzzle Wood, an area unaltered since it was transformed into woodland walks in the 1800's. And the forest cant be beaten for romantic and dramatic scenery with it's castles and gardens and magnificent views from the top of the gorge at Symonds Yat overlooking the Wye Valley.

From Tintern Abbey (see photo) and the views from Symonds Yat Rock to the lakes and mining history of the Royal Forest of Dean, there is a wealth of culture and natural beauty to discover.

Tintern Abbey was originally founded by Cistercian monks in 1131 AD. in the reign of Henry I. Between 1270 and 1301 the Abbey was rebuilt and by the end of the rebuilding, around four hundred monks lived in the complex. The Black Death arrived in 1349 and affected Abbey life badly but it continued to operate until 1536. In that year the Abbey was part of the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII.