Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Margam

1412: Destruction

The community suffered extensively from the Glyn Dŵr rebellion.

The abbey was allegedly destroyed in 1412 leaving the abbot and monks destitute and wandering around the countryside like vagabonds.
The effects of this lasted for several decades and in 1440 Henry VI restored lands to Margam essentially to compensate for their great losses during the Glyn Dŵr revolt.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

Calendar of Entries in the Papal Registers Relating to Great Britain and Ireland: Papal Letters, ed. William H. Blis, Charles Johnson, J. Twemlow, M. J. Haren, A. P. Fuller (London and Dublin, 1883-) vo. 5, p. 282

Birch, Walter de Gray, A History of Margam Abbey: derived from the original documents in the British Museum, H.M. Record Office, the Margam muniments (London, 1897) pp. 342-3

Evans, A. Leslie, Margam Abbey (rev. edn; Port Talbot, 1996) pp. 85-6

Robinson, David M., The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540, Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Committee Report (London, 2006) p. 255

Other events in the history of this site

1147: Foundation - 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 1166: Patronage - Earl Robert's son and heir, William of Gloucester, consolidated the abbey's holdings, granting lands that ensured its survival. [2 sources]
1170x1175: Proposed foundation of daughter-house - Plans were considered to establish a daughter-house at Pendar, in the uplands of Glamorgan.  [5 sources]
1180: Brawl - In 1180 a young man was found dead in the refectory of the abbey's guesthall. [1 sources]
1187: Dedication of altar - The bishop of Llandaff, William of Saltmarsh, dedicated the altar of the Holy Trinity. [2 sources]
1188: Visit - Gerald of Wales and Archbishop Baldwin stayed at the house while preaching the Crusade throughout Wales. [2 sources]
c.1190: Official reprimand - The General Chapter took action against the excessive beer-drinking by the lay-brothers of Margam.  [3 sources]
1203: Papal Confirmation - Abbot Gilbert acquired papal confirmation of Margam's possessions. [2 sources]
1205: Royal confirmation - King John confirmed the abbey's resources. [2 sources]
1206: Rebellion - The lay-brothers of Margam rebelled against their abbot in 1206. [3 sources]
1210: Royal Visit - King John stayed at the abbey on 27 May and 28 August, on his way to and from Ireland. [3 sources]
1228: Irish business - Abbot John of Goldcliff (1213-c. 1236) accompanied the abbot of Stanley (Stephen of Lexington) to Ireland, to correct abuses there. [5 sources]
1233: Meeting - In December, Earl Richard Marshal received the Blessed Agnellus of Pisa, the first provincial of the Franciscans in England, at Margam. [2 sources]
1236: Royal confirmation - The abbey secured royal confirmation of its possessions from Henry III. [2 sources]
1246-1247: Destruction - 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]
1268: Hospitality withheld - The Cistercian General Chapter excused the community from receiving guests for five years on account of its poverty. [1 sources]
1285: Property seized - Margam's granges were seized on the orders of the abbey's patron, Gilbert de Clare. [3 sources]
c.1291: Wealth - At this time Margam had an income of c. £256 and was one of the wealthiest houses in Wales.  [4 sources]
c.1292: Troubles 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]
1321: Delegation - 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]
1326: Royal fugitive - Edward II stayed briefly as a fugitive, 3-4 November [1 sources]
1329: Restoration of lands - After a judicial hearing Margam's lands were restored. [3 sources]
1336: Decline - Clairvaux Abbey instructed Margam to draw up a valuation to assess its decline and debts. [4 sources]
1383-5: Income - In 1383 Margam's annual income allegedly fell below 400 marks sterling (£266); in 1385 the figure was under 500 marks (£366). [3 sources]
1394: Royal visit - Richard III stayed at the house 10-11 September. 
1399: Royal visit - 11 May, Richard II stayed at the house. 
1412: Destruction - The community suffered extensively from the Glyn Dŵr rebellion.  [4 sources]
c.1535: Wealth - 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]
 
Graphic.