Monastic Wales.








Event detail for site: Aberconwy 1

1186: Foundation

Aberconwy was founded on 24 July 1186 and colonised by monks from Strata Florida.

Early benefactors were Rhodri ab Owain Gwynedd (d. 1195) and his nephew, Gruffudd ap Cynan.
The original site was at Rhedynog-felen, Conwy, south of Caernarfon, but the harsh conditions here necessitated relocation and by 1192 the monks had resettled near the mouth of the River Conwy.

Bibliographical sources

Printed sources

'The Register and Chronicle of the abbey of Aberconwy', in Camden Miscelleny, 1, Camden Society old series, 39, ed. H. Ellis (London, 1847) p. 7

Binns, Alison, Dedications of Religious Houses in England and Wales 1066-1216, Studies in the History of Medieval Religion, 1 (Boydell and Brewer: Woodbridge, 1989) p. 118

Robinson, David M., The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540, Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Committee Report (London, 2006) p. 223

Other events in the history of this site

1186: Foundation - Aberconwy was founded on 24 July 1186 and colonised by monks from Strata Florida.  [3 sources]
1192: Relocation - The austere conditions at Rehednog-fel prompted the monks to relocate. [1 sources]
c.1200: Patronage - Llywelyn ab Iowerth gave the community the township of Nanhwynain. [1 sources]
1216: Burial - Hywel ap Gruffydd was buried at the house. [1 sources]
c.1240: Burial - Prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth took the habit at Aberconwy shortly before his death and was buried at the house; his stone coffin can now be seen in Llanrwst parish church.  [1 sources]
1245: Destruction and compensation - The abbey was sacked and looted by Henry III's men who destroyed the church. [3 sources]
1246: Burial - Iowerth the Great's successor, Dafydd, was buried at the house. [2 sources]
1248: Burial - Prince Gruffudd ap Llywelyn (d. 1244), the illegtimate son of Llywelyn the Great, was buried at the house. [5 sources]
c.1255: Patronage - Llywelyn ap Gruffydd granted Aberconwy the tithes of Llanbadrig, to reward the monks for their loyalty to him. [1 sources]
1277: Meeting - Llywelyn ap Gruffydd signed the Treaty of Aberconwy at the abbey and capitulated to Edward I.  [1 sources]
1280: Request for prayers - The Cistercian General Chapter agreed to the abbot of Aberconwy's request that the Order include Dafydd ap Gruffudd and his wife in their prayers and spiritual benefits.  [1 sources]
1281: Grant - The monks gave Llywelyn ap Gruffydd £40 as a mark of their gratitude for his kindness. [1 sources]
c.1283-4: Relocation - Edward I compelled the monks to relocate to Maenan, some seven miles away. [2 sources]
1283: Occupation - In 1283 (13 March-9 May) Edward I quartered at Aberconwy for the last months of his campaign against the Welsh. [2 sources]
 
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