Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Basingwerk

c. 1536 (late) x spring 1537: Dissolution

The precise date of the suppression of the abbey is not known but monastic life had certainly terminated at Basingwerk by spring 1537.

The monks’ stalls were taken to St Mary on the Hill, Chester; some of the lead from the roof was used to repair Holt Castle.
Following the Dissolution the Tree of Jesse window was given to St Dyfnog parish church (Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch) where it remains.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain: far from the concourse of men, ed. David M. Robinson (London, 1998) pp. 66-67

Robinson, David M., The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540, Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Committee Report (London, 2006) p. 227

Other events in the history of this site

c.1131: Foundation - The community likely arrived in 1131 but no later than 1132.  [2 sources]
1147: Reconstitution - The Order of Savigny joined the Cistercian Order and Basingwerk duly became a Cistercian house. [2 sources]
1157: Relocation - Basingwerk became a dependency of Buildwas and likely moved site at this time.  [3 sources]
1188: Visit - Gerald of Wales and Archbishop Baldwin stayed at the house while preaching the Crusade. [1 sources]
pre 1240: Patronage - The community received Gelli as a gift from Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth. [3 sources]
1240: Patronage - Prince Dafydd ap Llywelyn (d. 1246) granted the community the church of Holywell and the shrine chapel of St Winifred.  [2 sources]
1253: Concession - The community received permission from the Cistercian General Chapter to celebrate St Winifred's Feast Day (3 November) as a Feast of Twelve Lessons. [2 sources]
1276-7; 1282-1283: Destruction - The abbey sustained extensive damage during the Edwardian Wars. [2 sources]
c.1280: Appointment - Edward I appointed one of the monks chaplain of his new castle at Flint. [1 sources]
1284: Compensation - The house was awarded £100 compensation from Edward I for damages incurred during the warfare. [2 sources]
1290: Royal concession - The abbey received royal permission from Edward I to hold a weekly market at the annual fair of Glossop. [2 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio Ecclesiastica commissioned by Pope Nicholas IV Basingwerk had a recorded annual income of £68 8s 0d. [3 sources]
1292: Concession - The community was granted royal permission to hold a weekly market at the annual fair of Holywell. [2 sources]
1295: Royal summons - The abbot of Basingwerk was one of four Welsh Cistercian abbots to be summoned to Edward I's parliament. [1 sources]
c.1346: Hospitality - The abbot of Basingwerk claimed that his house was burdened with hospitality since it was near the road. [1 sources]
1347: Numbers - At this time there were about twenty monks at Basingwerk. [1 sources]
c.1355: Devastation - At this time the abbey was described as in a ruinous state. [1 sources]
1379: Clerical taxation - The abbot of Basingwerk appeared in the 1379 clerical taxation. [1 sources][1 archives]
c.1405: Destruction - In the early fifteenth century Basingwerk encouraged pilgrims to visit its shrine at Holywell, seemingly in the hope that this would raise funds to help towards reconstruction work. [1 sources]
1416: Pilgrimage - Henry V made a pilgrimage, on foot, from Shrewsbury to Basingwerk's shrine of St Winifred's. [1 sources]
1454: Deposition - Abbot Henry Wirral was arrested for various felonies in Flint and deposed from office. [1 sources]
1481 - 1522: Restoration - Abbot Thomas Pennant restored the abbey's fortunes. Read more about Thomas. [1 sources]
1482 (18 June ): Complaint - The abbot of Basingwerk was amongst those who complained about the abbot of Woburn. [1 sources]
1521: Contributions to general funds - The abbot of Neath collected 20s from Basingwerk on behalf of the Cistercian General Chapter. [1 sources]
1526-1536: Numbers - Under Abbot Nicholas there were about three monks. [1 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclsiasticus the house had an estimated net income of £150 7s 3d. [3 sources][1 archives]
c.1536 (late) x spring 1537: Dissolution - The precise date of the suppression of the abbey is not known but monastic life had certainly terminated at Basingwerk by spring 1537. [2 sources]
1537, 10 May: Custody of site - The site was leased to Hugh Starkey. [1 sources]
1540: Custody of site - Ownership changed as the site was sold to Henry ap Harry of Llansa and Peter Mutton of Meliden. The Mostyns of Talacre later acquired the site.  [1 sources]
1923: Ownership - The former site of the abbey passed into State care. [1 sources]
 
Graphic.