The community originally settled at Rehednog-fel (Rhedynog Felen), Conwy, but moved and was then forced to relocate by Edward I, who wished to build a castle and walled town in the area. The monks duly resettled at Maenan where they remained until the Dissolution. Edward I considered this a refoundation and regarded himself as the abbey's royal patron.show more...
Standing remains
A nineteenth-century hotel now occupies the former monastic site and there are few visible remains of the abbey. Something of the layout of the thirteenth-century church is known from excavations at the site in 1968.
Dedicated to: Virgin Mary Medieval Diocese: St Asaph Affiliated to: Strata Florida (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Gwynedd Access: Public hotel Owned by: Hotel occupies site
Main events in the history of this site
1283-1284: Relocation - The community relocated to Maenan for Edward I wished to build a castle at Aberconwy and a walled town. [2 sources] 1379: Poll tax - The abbot was to pay 19s, the prior and each of the four monks 20d [1 source][1 archive] 1482: Payments to former abbot's kin [1 source] 1484: Tussle for the abbacy - David Winchcombe’s right to the abbacy was challenged by David Lloyd who was supported by the king, Richard II. [1 source] c.1535: Income - In the survey of c. 1535 (Valor Ecclesiasticus) the net income of the abbey was recorded as £162. [2 sources][1 archive] 1537: Dissolution - The abbey was one of the first casualties of the Suppression and was closed in March 1537. [1 source] + 4 minor events.Show minor events
Butler, L. A. S., 'The lost choir: What was built at three Cistercian abbey churches in Wales?'Perspectives for an architecture of solitude : essays on Cistercians, art and architecture in honour of Peter Fergusson Medieval church studies, 11; Cîteaux. Studia et documenta, 13 ed. Terryl N. Kinder(Turnhout 2004) pp.115-123
Kerr, Julie, 'Cistercian hospitality in the later Middle Ages'Monasteries and Society in the British Isles in the Later Middle Ages Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 35 vols ed.Janet Burton and Karen Stöber(Woodbridge 2008) pp.25-39
Stephenson, David, 'The Aberconwy Chronicle'Kathleen Hughes memorial lectures on mediaeval Welsh history, 2 (Cambridge 2002)
Stöber, Karen, 'Social networks of late medieval Welsh monasteries'Monasteries and Society in the Later Middle Ages Studies in the History of Medieval Religion 35 ed.Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (Woodbridge 2008) pp.12-24
