History Llanthony Priory

1 history

1.1 foundation
1.2 dissolution
1.3 18th , 19th centuries
1.4 later history

history
foundation

the priory dates around year 1100, when norman nobleman walter de lacy reputedly came upon ruined chapel of st. david in location, , inspired devote himself solitary prayer , study. joined ersinius, former chaplain queen matilda, wife of king henry i, , band of followers. church built on site, dedicated st john baptist, , consecrated in 1108. 1118, group of around 40 monks england founded there priory of canons regular, first in wales.

in 1135, after persistent attacks local welsh population, monks retreated gloucester founded daughter cell, llanthony secunda. however, around 1186 member of de lacy family, hugh, fifth baron, endowed estate funds irish estates rebuild priory church, , work completed 1217. there letters pope clement iii (csm,i,p. 157–159), between 1185 , 1188, confirming further grants , gifts priory adam de feypo , geoffrey de cusack in ireland.

the priory became 1 of great medieval buildings in wales, in mixture of norman , gothic architectural styles. renewed building took place around 1325, new gatehouse. on palm sunday, april 4, 1327, deposed edward ii stayed @ priory on way kenilworth castle berkeley castle, alleged have been murdered.

llanthony priory tower , nave


dissolution

following owain glyndŵr s rebellion in 15th century, priory seems have been barely functioning. in 1481 formally merged daughter cell in gloucester, , after 1538 both houses suppressed henry viii s dissolution of monasteries.

the 18th , 19th centuries

1780 engraving of llanthony abbey, viewed west door

the buildings @ llanthony gradually decayed after dissolution ruin, although in 18th century medieval infirmary converted church of st david. in 1799 estate bought colonel sir mark wood, owner of piercefield house near chepstow, converted of buildings domestic house , shooting box. sold estate in 1807 poet walter savage landor.

landor needed act of parliament, passed in 1809, allowed pull down of wood s buildings , construct house, never finished. wanted become model country gentleman, planting trees, importing sheep spain, , improving roads. there still avenue of trees in area known landor s larches , many old chestnuts have been dated time.

st david s

landor described idylls of country life, including nightingales , glow-worms in valley friend robert southey. idyll not last long next 3 years landor worried combined vexation of neighbours , tenants, lawyers , lords-lieutenant , bishop of st david s. many of troubles stemmed petty squabbles, arising headstrong , impetuous nature. wasted money trying improve land, , condition of poorer inhabitants. final straw when let farmland 1 charles betham whom landor viewed incompetent , extravagant , paid no rent. after expensive action recover debts betham, landor had had enough, , decided leave country, abandoning llanthony creditors – principally mother. estate administered in absence mother , cousin, many of buildings continued disintegrate thereafter.

the abbey hotel


later history

the ruins have attracted artists on years, including j. m. w. turner painted them opposite hillside. priory acquired knight family in 20th century.

wood’s house later became abbey hotel. remaining ruins protected cadw , entrance ruins free.