Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Margam

1326: Royal fugitive

Edward II stayed briefly as a fugitive, 3-4 November

People associated with this event

Edward II , king of England (guest / refugee)

Bibliographical sources

Web links (open in new window)

Phillips, J. R. S., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online - Edward II (View website) (Subscription reqd.)


Other events in the history of this site

1147Foundation - Margam was founded on 23 November 1147 by Robert, earl of Gloucester and lord of Glamorgan, and was one of the first Cistercian abbeys in Wales.  [8 sources]
pre 1166Patronage - Earl Robert's son and heir, William of Gloucester, consolidated the abbey's holdings, granting lands that ensured its survival. [2 sources]
1170x1175Proposed foundation of daughter-house - Plans were considered to establish a daughter-house at Pendar, in the uplands of Glamorgan.  [5 sources]
1180Brawl - In 1180 a young man was found dead in the refectory of the abbey's guesthall. [1 sources]
1187Dedication of altar - The bishop of Llandaff, William of Saltmarsh, dedicated the altar of the Holy Trinity. [2 sources]
1188Visit - Gerald of Wales and Archbishop Baldwin stayed at the house while preaching the Crusade throughout Wales. [2 sources]
c.1190Official reprimand - The General Chapter took action against the excessive beer-drinking by the lay-brothers of Margam.  [3 sources]
1203Papal Confirmation - Abbot Gilbert acquired papal confirmation of Margam's possessions. [2 sources]
1205Royal confirmation - King John confirmed the abbey's resources. [2 sources]
1206Rebellion - The lay-brothers of Margam rebelled against their abbot in 1206. [3 sources]
1210Royal Visit - King John stayed at the abbey on 27 May and 28 August, on his way to and from Ireland. [3 sources]
1228Irish business - Abbot John of Goldcliff (1213-c. 1236) accompanied the abbot of Stanley (Stephen of Lexington) to Ireland, to correct abuses there. [5 sources]
1233Meeting - In December, Earl Richard Marshal received the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, the first provincial of the Franciscans in England, at Margam. [2 sources]
1236Royal confirmation - The abbey secured royal confirmation of its possessions from Henry III. [2 sources]
1246-1247Destruction - The abbey suffered damage to its crops and stock, to the sum of £477, and incurred £60 worth of damages to its grange at Egyl Wys. [1 sources]
1268Hospitality withheld - The Cistercian General Chapter excused the community from receiving guests for five years on account of its poverty. [1 sources]
1285Property seized - Margam's granges were seized on the orders of the abbey's patron, Gilbert de Clare. [3 sources]
c.1291Wealth - At this time Margam had an income of c. £256 and was one of the wealthiest houses in Wales.  [4 sources]
c.1292Troubles with patron - The General Chapter wrote to Edward I on behalf of Margam, explaining the abbey's troubled situation with its patron, Earl Gilbert de Clare. [3 sources]
1321Delegation - Edward II sent the abbots of Margam and Dore to Ireland to check that the Cistercian houses there were not simply recruiting from the native population. [2 sources]
1326Royal fugitive - Edward II stayed briefly as a fugitive, 3-4 November [1 sources]
1329Restoration of lands - After a judicial hearing Margam's lands were restored. [3 sources]
1336Decline - Clairvaux Abbey instructed Margam to draw up a valuation to assess its decline and debts. [4 sources]
1383-5Income - In 1383 Margam's annual income allegedly fell below 400 marks sterling (£266); in 1385 the figure was under 500 marks (£366). [3 sources]
1394Royal visit - Richard III stayed at the house 10-11 September. 
1399Royal visit - 11 May, Richard II stayed at the house. 
1412Destruction - The community suffered extensively from the Glyn Dŵr rebellion.  [4 sources]
c.1535Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus Margam had a net income of £181 7s 4d. [3 sources]
1536 Dissolution - Margam was dissolved 23-24 August 1536 under the 1536 Act of Suppression. [7 sources]

 
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