Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Abergavenny

c. 1405: Destruction

Abergavenny was badly hit by Owain Glyn Dŵr’s revolt and like many other houses suffered devastation.

The priory’s buildings were burnt and its books and ornaments destroyed. As the service books from Le Mans were destroyed the monks of Abergavenny received papal permission to celebrate the Office according to the Use of Sarum.
Following this attack several of the monks returned to Le Mans, leaving the house short-staffed. In 1411 Prior William of Abergavenny secured special permission from the king for three monks of Le Mans to join the community at Abergavenny and help them fulfil their religious duties for lack of numbers had forced them to hire secular chaplains.

People associated with this event

Owain Glyn D?r; Owen Glendower; Owain ap Gruffudd Fychan , declared prince of Wales (rebel)

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Graham, Rose, 'Four alien priories in Monmouthshire', Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 35 (1930) p. 115

Other events in the history of this site

c.1100: Foundation - Abergavenny was founded c. 1087/1100 by Hamelin of Barham, as an alien cell of St Vincent, Le Mans, of which Hamelin was a benefactor.  [2 sources]
1154x89: Change in status - Abergavenny was raised to conventual status. [2 sources]
c.1204: Contact with mother-house - Following King John’s loss of Normandy, Maine, Anjou and Touraine to the king of France, relations and communications between Abergavenny and its mother-house were impeded and visitation was more irregular. [1 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - According to the figures compiled for the Taxatio Ecclesiastica, Abergavenny had an estimated income of £51 17s 10 ½ d, held 241 acres and held two mills.  [2 sources]
c.1294: Custody - Shortly after the outbreak of war Abergavenny was seized by the Crown as an alien priory.  [1 sources]
1320: Visitation - Visitation by Bishop Adam de Orleton of Hereford who was concerned with the state of monastic observance that he witnessed. [4 sources]
pre 1325: Community - At some point before his death, John Hastings, the patron of Abergavenny, arranged that the French monks of the priory should be replaced with Englishmen.  [1 sources]
1339: Custody - The prior of Abergavenny was allowed to retain custody of his house for the fine of £20 and an annual payment of £8.  [1 sources]
1343: Allegations - It was rumoured that the prior of Abergavenny had fled to France taking with him the monastery’s jewels and money. [1 sources]
c.1405: Destruction - Abergavenny was badly hit by Owain Glyn Dŵr’s revolt and like many other houses suffered devastation. [1 sources]
c.1417: Rejuvenation - Robert Eton, a monk of Christ Church Canterbury, succeeded William as prior and successfully restored Abergavenny’s fortunes.  [1 sources]
1428: Papal indulgence - Maintenance work was financed through a papal indulgence. [1 sources]
1441: Change in status - Abergavenny becomes a denizen priory. [1 sources]
1534 : Act of Supremacy - On 12 September the prior, William Marley, acknowledged royal supremacy. [2 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - On the eve of the Dissolution Abergavenny’s income was assessed for the Valor Ecclesiasticus at £129.  [3 sources][1 archives]
1536: Dissolution - The house was surveyed 7 June and dissolved 5-6 September. [4 sources]
 
Graphic.