Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Talley

c. 1185: Foundation

Talley was founded between 1184 and 1189 by the Lord Rhys of Deheubarth.

The site was named after its location, at the head of two lakes. To Gerald of Wales it was a 'rough and sterile' place that was inaccessible, surrounded by woods and inadequately endowed.

The Lord Rhys's endowment included the churches of Llandyfeisant and the former clas church of Llandeilo Fawr, where it was held by some that St Teilo had been buried; the chapel of St David at Dinefwr and lands in the uplands of Ystrad Tywi.

People associated with this event

Gerald of Wales; Giraldus Cambrensis , archdeacon of Brecon (commentator)

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Griffiths, R. A., 'A tale of two towns: Llandeilo Fawr and Dinefawr in the Middle Ages', in Sir Gār: Studies in Carmarthenshire History: Essays in Memory of W. H. Morris and M. C. S. Evans, ed. Heather James (Carmarthen, 1991) 210-211

Robinson, David M. and Platt, Colin, Strata Florida Talley Abbey, Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments (rev. edn; Cardiff, 1998) pp. 10, 18

Other events in the history of this site

c.1185: Foundation - Talley was founded between 1184 and 1189 by the Lord Rhys of Deheubarth. [2 sources]
1193x1202: Problems - Talley faced problems from neighbouring religious. [1 sources]
1215: Abbatial promotion - Abbot Iorwerth (Gervase) was elevated to the See of St David's. [1 sources]
c.1222: Confirmation - Bishop Iorwerth of St David’s (1215-29), former abbot of Talley, confirmed the appropriation of the churches of Llandeilo Fawr and Llanegwad by Talley. [1 sources]
1271: Burial - Rhys Fychan ap Rhys Mechyll, prince of South Wales, was taken to Talley for burial. [1 sources]
c.1277: Destruction - The abbey was targeted by Edward I. [1 sources]
1278: Custody - Talley was taken into royal custody on account of its poverty. [1 sources]
1285: Paternity - Talley was made subject to Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire, which was given visitorial rights. [2 sources]
1291: Visitation - The abbot of Premontre asked Edward I to assist the abbots of Halesowen and Newhouse with their visitation of Ruthin. [1 sources]
1291: Patronage - At this time the abbey was under the patronage of Rhys ap Maredudd (d. 1292), Welsh rebel and descendent of the Lord Rhys.  
c.1300: Joins English middle circary - Talley became part of the English circary of the Premonstratensian order. [1 sources]
1377: Clerical poll tax - Payments were required from each member of the community. [1 sources][1 archives]
1379: Clerical poll tax - Payments were required from the community. [1 sources][1 archives]
c.1380: Custody - Abbot Rhys of Talley requested that the house be taken into royal custody. [1 sources]
1410: Destruction - The abbey suffered from the fighting of the early fifteenth century. By 1410 it had been ‘despoiled, burned and almost destroyed’ by the English and Welsh armies. [1 sources]
1410: Papal indult - A papal indult was granted to the canons of Talley stating that they need not travel more than eighty miles to meet representatives of the Premonstratensian order. [1 sources]
c.1414: Paternity - Paternity of Talley passed from Welbeck to Halesowen. [1 sources]
1430 (30 May): Royal protection - Abbot Dafydd requested that Talley be taken into royal custody for the third time. [1 sources]
1497 (31 August ): Visitation - A visitation report of Talley in 1497 survives in the registers of Richard Redman, a notable English Premonstratensian.  [2 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - The Valor Ecclesiasticus surveyed Talley's net income at £136. [2 sources][1 archives]
1536: Dissolution -  [3 sources]
 
Graphic.