Malpas was founded as a cell of Montacute Priory, Somerset, by Robert de la Haye. The community was small and probably comprised two or three monks who resided there as custodians. In 1407 Malpas became a denizen cell and following its dissolution in 1539 the site was granted to Sir William Herbert.show details of standing remains
Standing remains
In the mid-nineteenth century [1849-50] Thomas Prothero replaced the ruined medieval church with one built in the Norman style. This rebuilding may closely resemble the original and it incorporates some of the medieval fabric such as the west window of the former priory church and the chancel arch that separated the laity in the nave from the monks' oratory in the east end. Nothing now remains of the claustral buildings but remnants were noted at the time of the rebuilding and may be traced in the layout of the SE churchyard wall. The present plan suggests that the original enclosure was sub-rectangular and over sixty metres in diameter.
Medieval Diocese: Llandaff Affiliated to: Montacute Priory (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Glamorgan Access: No remains visible Owned by: No remains visible
Main events in the history of this site
c.1110: Foundation - Founded c. 1110 and pre 1122.
While Winebald de Baeluns has traditionally been considered the founder of Malpas, it is now thought that Robert de Hay was responsible for the establishment of a priory here. [3 sources] c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio of 1291 the priory had only fifty-five acres, twenty of which were arable; its spiritualities were valued at a mere £1 and its temporalities at £4 19s 8d. [2 sources] c.1300: Patronage - Malpas was under the patronage of the de Clares / earls of Gloucester. [1 source] 1314: Problems - The prior of Montacute admitted that problems had arisen at Malpas as a consequence of poor administration by the prior of Malpas. [2 sources] 1407: Status - Malpas became a denizen cell. [1 source] c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus Malpas had an income of just £14. [4 sources][1 archive] 1539 : Dissolution - Malpas was surrendered on 20 March 1539, at the same time as Montecute. [2 sources] + 4 minor events.Show minor events
Stöber, Karen, 'Social networks of late medieval Welsh monasteries', in Monasteries and Society in the Later Middle Ages, Studies in the History of Medieval Religion, 35, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (Boydell and Brewer: Woodbridge, 2008), pp. 12-24
