Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Grace Dieu

1536 : Suppression

The abbey was dissolved on 3 September 1536, under the 1536 Act of Suppression.

On 6 June 1536 the abbey was surveyed in preparation for its suppression and several months later it was formally dissolved.
At this time the community comprised Abbot John Gruffyd (Griffith), his monk companion, three servants and several corrodians who lived in apartments over the gatehouse.
In 1537 the site was leased to one of Cromwell's agents, Dr John Vaughan.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, III, 1377-1540, ed. David M. Smith (CUP: Cambridge, 2008) p. 298

Jack, Sybil, 'Dissolution dates for the monasteries dissolved under the Act of 1536', Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research, 43 (1970) p. 180

Robinson, David M., The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540, Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Committee Report (London, 2006) p. 248

Other events in the history of this site

1217: Preparation for foundation - John, lord of Monmouth, requested permission from the Cistercian General Chapter to found an abbey in SE Wales. [4 sources]
1226 (24 April): Foundation - Eventually a founding community was sent from Dore Abbey, Herefordshire. [5 sources]
1232: Trouble - The abbot and his monk companion were held captive by Welshmen. [1 sources][1 archives]
1233: Destruction - The house was razed to the ground.  [2 sources]
1235: Grant - Henry III granted the monks twenty trees from the Forest of Dean to rebuild their house which had recently been destroyed. [2 sources]
1236: Relocation - The community relocated from its original site (probably on west bank of the R. Trothy) to its present site [2 sources]
1240: Grant - Henry III granted the community four oaks from Grosmont Forest to help with building work. [2 sources]
1253: Grant - Henry III granted the community two oaks from Seinfremy Wood. [2 sources]
1276: Proposed move - The community sought to relocate to escape troubles in the area. [2 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - The house had an estimated net income of £18 5s 8d and some 729 ha arable under the plough. [4 sources]
1351: Resignation - Abbot Hugh [or Roger?] of Chepstow sought to resign from office for he felt the burden of administering the monastery was too great.  [4 sources]
c.1356: Patronage - Henry, duke of Lancaster and lord of Monmouth (d. 1361), granted the community the chantry chapel in Monmouth Castle. [2 sources]
1484: Resignation - John Mitulton resigned from the abbacy on account of the persecution of his enemies. [2 sources]
1521: Contributions to the General Chapter - The abbot of Neath collected a contribution of 3s 4d from Grace Dieu to send to the General Chapter. [1 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus the house had an income of only £19 4s 4d.  [3 sources][1 archives]
1536 : Suppression - The abbey was dissolved on 3 September 1536, under the 1536 Act of Suppression. [3 sources]
 
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