Haverfordwest Priory was seemingly founded by Robert fitz Richard, the grandson of Thancard of Haverford.
The house was situated just outside the town of Haverfordwest which had been established some seventy years previous. The priory evidently had an uneventful history and escaped the ravages of warfare and rebellion. show details of standing remains
Standing remains
There are substantial remains of the former priory church and claustral buildings which date from the thirteenth century. Excavations at Haverford uncovered the only surviving medieval garden in Britain. Read more
Dedicated to: St Thomas and St Mary Medieval Diocese: St David's Lordship at foundation: Pembroke Access: Public Owned by: Cadw
Main events in the history of this site
pre 1210: Foundation - The priory may have been founded as early as 1180 but was likely established 1203x1210. [11 sources] 1210x1230: Building work - The church and main claustral buildings were constructed in the early thitteenth century. [1 source] 1284: Visitation - Visitation conducted by Archbishop Pecham. [3 sources] c.1291: Wealth - The Taxatio Ecclesiastica assessed the priory's net income as £17 6s 8d. [1 source] 1381: Clerical poll tax - Payments required [1 source][1 archive] c.1450: Prosperity - At this time the house was flourishing. [1 source] 1534: Act of Supremacy - William Barlow was prior in 1534 and signed the Act of Supremacy, acknowledging Henry VIII's authority over the pope. [2 sources] c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiastica the priory's estimated wealth was £133 11s 1d. [2 sources] 1537: Dissolution - The priory was surveyed at the beginning of October 1536 and dissolved under the 1536 Act of Suppression on 19 February 1537.
[4 sources] + 7 minor events.Show minor events
Austin, David, and Stöber, Karen, 'Culdees to Canons: the Augustinian houses', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: 2013), pp. 39-54
Stöber, Karen, 'The Regular Canons in Wales', in The Regular Canons in the Medieval British Isles, Medieval Church Studies, 19 (Brepols: Turnhout, 2011), pp. 97-113
