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Kidwelly (Priory)

also known as: Cydweli; Cadwell

Order: Benedictine

Kidwelly was founded by Bishop Roger of Salisbury as a cell of Sherborne (priory, later abbey). It also served as the parish church with the laity occupying the nave and the monks the east end. In the later Middle Ages the church may have attracted pilgrims wishing to see the life-sized alabaster statue of the Virgin and child that stood in a recess on the south wall of the chancel. show details of standing remains

Dedicated to: St Mary Medieval Diocese: St David's
Affiliated to: Sherborne (dependency of)
Lordship at foundation: Kidwelly
Access: Parish church is open to public
Owned by: Representative Body of the Church in Wales

Main events in the history of this site

c.1110Foundation - Kidwelly was founded as a cell of Sherborne Abbey, which was at that time a cathedral priory. [2 sources]
c.1135Patronage - When the lordship of Kidwelly passed to Maurice of London he supplemented Sherborne's endowment at Kidwelly. [1 source]
1223Destruction - The priory was burnt to the ground by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. [1 source]
c.1268Patronage - At this time Payne de Chaworth was patron of the house. 
1284Visitation - Archbishop Pecham conducted a visitation of the house following Edward I’s conquest.  [1 source]
c.1291Wealth - The priory's wealth, according to the Taxatio compiled for Pope Nicholas IV c. 1291, was £16.  [3 sources]
1377Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 source][1 archive]
1379Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 source][1 archive]
1403Destruction - The area was devastated during the Glyn Dŵr rebellion. [1 source]
1481Destruction - The church was struck by lightning. [1 source]
1534Act of Supremacy - Prior John Godmyston and his monk companion, Augustine Green, took the Oath of Supremacy.  [3 sources]
c.1535Wealth - The Valor Eccelsiasticus records the gross annual income of the house as £38. [2 sources][1 archive]
1539Dissolution - As a dependency of Sherborne Abbey, Kidwelly was spared from suppression in 1536 and dissolved with its mother-house in 1539. [2 sources]
+ 11 minor events. Show minor events

People associated with this site

Payne de Chaworth , lord of Kidwelly (patron)

Priors of Kidwelly

Roger le Poer , bishop of Salisbury (founder)

Bibliographical sources

17 Printed sources

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4 On-line sources

show online sources

Archival sources

The National Archives, 'Exchequer, King's Remembrancer Clerical Subsidies - Kidwelly 1377', (Document), (View website)

The National Archives, 'Exchequer, King's Remembrancer Clerical Subsidies - Kidwelly 1379', (Document), (View website)

Related articles on Monastic Wales

Remnants of Kidwelly Priory,
Who were the Benedictines?, Professor Janet Burton

Images of this site

Exterior of the Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Exterior of the Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Exterior of the Church of St Mary, Kidwelly


Interior of the Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Priory Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Priory Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Exterior of the Church of St Mary, Kidwelly

Carmarthenshire, OS Grid:SN4084106750
View site details on COFLEIN (RCAHMW database)[new window]


 
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