Site details: St Clears - Monastic Wales - A Comprehensive Database of Sites and Sources


Home Project team Future plans Contact us Search the database Browse list of sites Browse list of orders Browse bibliography & archives Browse people Browse articles Monastic Wales is not responsible for the content of external internet sites	Display site: St Clears (Priory) Order: Cluniac St Clears was founded as an alien cell of St Martin des Champs, Paris, but the founder is not now known. Since 1920 the Church in Wales has been responsible for appointing the vicars of St Clears. Dedicated to: Mary Magdalene Medieval Diocese: St David's Affiliated to: St Martin des Champs, Paris (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Mortimer Access: Open to public Owned by: Parish church, Representative Body of the Church in Wales Main events in the history of this site c.1150: Foundation - The priory was founded in the second half of the twelfth century. [1 source] 1279: Visitation - Visitation of the house by the prior of Mont-Didier, France, and the English prior of Lenton. [2 sources] 1288: Debts - The prior of St Clears reputedly absconded with debts outstanding to the bishop of St David’s who duly seized the priory. [1 source] c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio the house had only twelve acres of arable land and its spiritualities and temporalities totalled £15 19s 2d. [2 sources] 1294x1414: Custody - During these years the house was generally in royal custody. [2 sources][1 archive] 1305: Wealth - The royal officials valued the cell at £8 10s [1 source][1 archive] c.1333: Resignation - By September 1333 John Seyer had resigned as prior of St Clears on account of his dissolute conduct. [1 source] 1339: Custody - On 16 July 1339, Pontius, a monk of St Clears, was granted the keeping of St Clears during the French Wars. [1 source] 1377: Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 source][1 archive] 1378-1409: Papal Schism - Contact between Cluny and her houses in England and Wales was severed. [1 source] c.1414: Dissolution - St Clears was dissolved c. 1414 [1 source] 1442: Custody - St Clears granted to All Souls College, Oxford [1 source] + 9 minor events. Show minor events Bibliographical sources 13 Printed sources show sources 'The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales III 1377-1540' ed.David M. Smith(Cambridge 2008) pp. 254-255 'The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales II, 1216-1377' ed.David Smith and Vera London(Cambridge 2001) pp. 249-50 'Monasticon Cluniacense Anglicanum or Charters and Records of the Ancient Abbey of Cluni 1077-1534' 2 vols ed.G. F. Duckett(Lewes 1888) 'Visitations and Chapters General of the Order of Cluni 1269-1529' ed.G. F. Duckett(1863) 'Visitations of English Cluniac Foundations in 47 Henry III (1262), 4 Edward I (1275-6), 7 Edward 1 (1279)' London ed.George F. Duckett(1890) 'Medieval Religious Houses, England and Wales' ed.Nigel Hadcock and David Knowles(Harlow 1971) p. 102 Cooper, R., 'Abbeys and Priories of Wales' (Swansea 1992) p. 95 Cowley, F. G., 'The Monastic Order in South Wales 1066-1349' (Cardiff 1977) Graham, Rose, 'The Cluniac priory of St Martin des Champs, Paris, and its dependent priories in England and Wales' Journal of the British Archaeological Association 3rd series 11 (1948) pp.35-59 James, Terrence, 'Carmarthenshire's religious houses : a review of recent archaeological work' The Carmarthenshire Antiquary 36 (2000) pp.58-70 Stöber, Karen, 'Social networks of late medieval Welsh monasteries' Monasteries and Society in the Later Middle Ages Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 35 ed.Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (Woodbridge 2008) pp.12-24 Thomas, D. A., 'St. Clears in the Middle Ages, 1100-1500' Carmarthenshire Historian 6 (1969) pp.59-71 Thurlby, Malcolm, 'Romanesque Architecture and Sculpture in Wales' (Little Logaston 2006) pp. 133-134 1 On-line sources show online sources (all open in new window) Website of the Priory Church of St Mary Magdalene, St Clears (View website) Archival sources The National Archives, 'Exchequer, King's Remembrancer Clerical Subsidies - St Clears 1377', (Document), (View online) Related articles on Monastic Wales Who were the Benedictines?, Professor Janet Burton Images of this site Capitals on the chancel arch, priory church of St Mary Magdalene Chancel arch, priory church of St Mary Magdalene Priory Church of St Mary Magdalene	Chancel arch, priory church of St Mary Magdalene Carmarthenshire, OS Grid:SN28151574 View site details on COFLEIN (RCAHMW database)[new window]

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