Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Kidwelly

1223: Destruction

The priory was burnt to the ground by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn.

As an Anglo-Norman foundation Kidwelly suffered from the hostility of the neighbouring Welsh and their resistance to Anglo-Norman rule. This was the case in 1223 when the priory was razed to the ground.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Cowley, F. G., The Monastic Order in South Wales 1066-1349 (Cardiff, 1977) p. 212

Other events in the history of this site

c.1110: Foundation - Kidwelly was founded as a cell of Sherborne Abbey, which was at that time a cathedral priory. [2 sources]
c.1135: Patronage - When the lordship of Kidwelly passed to Maurice of London he supplemented Sherborne's endowment at Kidwelly. [1 sources]
1223: Destruction - The priory was burnt to the ground by Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. [1 sources]
c.1268: Patronage - At this time Payne de Chaworth was patron of the house. 
1284: Visitation - Archbishop Pecham conducted a visitation of the house following Edward I’s conquest.  [1 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - The priory's wealth, according to the Taxatio compiled for Pope Nicholas IV c. 1291, was £16.  [3 sources]
1377: Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 sources][1 archives]
1379: Poll tax - Only the prior is listed. [1 sources][1 archives]
1403: Destruction - The area was devastated during the Glyn Dŵr rebellion. [1 sources]
1481: Destruction - The church was struck by lightning. [1 sources]
1534: Act of Supremacy - Prior John Godmyston and his monk companion, Augustine Green, took the Oath of Supremacy.  [3 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - The Valor Eccelsiasticus records the gross annual income of the house as £38. [2 sources][1 archives]
1539: Dissolution - As a dependency of Sherborne Abbey, Kidwelly was spared from suppression in 1536 and dissolved with its mother-house in 1539. [2 sources]
 
Graphic.