Site details: Llanthony Prima


Home dershane Project team Project News Future plans Contact us Search the database Browse list of sites Browse list of orders Browse bibliography & archives Browse people Browse articles Glossary of terms Monastic Wales is not responsible for the content of external internet sites	Display site: Llanthony Prima (Priory) also known as: Llanthony 1; Llanhodenei Order: Augustinian Canons Llanthony Priory was situated in the heart of the Black Mountains and had the loftiest location of any Augustinian house in Britan. Llanthony was the first Augustinian house founded in Wales and was under the patronage of Hugh de Lacy, lord of Ewyas. Contemporaries remarked on Llanthony's healthy climate. Gerald of Wales (d. c. 1220) described the priory's location in his Journey through Wales: The climate is temperate and healthy, the air soothing and clement if somewhat heavy; and illness is rare. When, sadly afflicted and worn out by long labour in their daughter house [Lanthony Secunda, Gloucester] the monks are brought back, as it were, to their mother's breasts, they are soon restored to the health for which they yearn, for this is their salubrious cure, this is their asylum and retreat. ... As they sit in their cloisters in this monastery, breathing the fresh air, the monks gaze up at distant prospects which rise above their own lofty roof-tops, and there they see, as far as any eye can reach, mountain-peaks which rise to meet the sky and often enough herds of wild deer which are gazing on their summits. [Gerald of Wales, The Journey through Wales, trans. L. Thorpe (Penguin Classics, Harmondsworth, 1978), pp. 97-8] show details of standing remains Standing remains Substantial remains of the church survive. The former west range is now a hotel. Read more Medieval Diocese: St David's Affiliated to: Llanthony 2 / Secunda (daughter-house); Weobley (cell); Colp, Co Meath, Ireland (cell); Lordship at foundation: Gloucester Access: Public; hotel on site Owned by: Cadw Main events in the history of this site 1108X1118: Foundation - According to the foundation history of the house, Llanthony Prima had its origins in the late eleventh century when William de Lacy, a knight in the service of Hugh de Lacy (d. c. 1115), sought to live as a hermit in the Llanthony Valley, where a former chapel dedicated to St David stood. Contemporaries commented on the beauty of the site: 'What more can I say?' he asked, 'The entire treasure of the king and his realm would not be sufficient to build such a cloister.' When he had held the minds of the king [Henry I] and his court in suspense for a long time by this assertion he finally explained the enigma by revealing that what he really meant was the circle of mountains which enclosed the monastery on all sides. [Bishop Roger of Salisbury [d. 1139], cited by Gerald of Wales in his Journey through Wales, trans. Thorpe, p. 99.] [4 sources][1 archive] 1108x35: Reputation - Bishop Roger of Salisbury (d. 1139) visited the site and was impressed with what he saw there. [1 source] 1115: Founds cell - A cell was founded at Weobley but was short-lived. [1 source] 1135: Dispersal - The community suffered from Welsh attacks and sought refuge first in Hereford with the former prior of Llanthony, Bishop Robert, and thereafter at Gloucester, where a cell was founded. A few stalwarts remained at the Welsh house throughout these troubled times. [3 sources][1 archive] 1136: Founds cell - Miles, earl of Hereford, gave the refugee canons a site at Gloucester which was founded as a cell of Llanthony Priory; it was later known as Llanthony Secunda. [2 sources] c.1140-70: Decline - Religious life at Llanthony declined as most of the community remained at Gloucester and various books, relics and even the bell were taken from the mother house for use in its cell. [2 sources] 1177x1210: Recovery - Thanks to Hugh de Lacy II and his son, Walter, the community acquired significant interests in Ireland which greatly helped the priory's recovery. [5 sources] 1205: Formal separation of the two Llanthonys - An agreement was drawn up to formalise the separation of Llanthony Prima and its cell in Gloucester. [4 sources][2 archives] c.1212: Concession - The community was granted the privilege of electing its own prior during a vacancy and was not obliged to consult with Walter de Lacy, lord of Ewyas. [2 sources][1 archive] c.1214: Charter - Walter de Lacy, patron of the priory and the great great nephew of the founder, granted an extensive charter to the community. [1 source][1 archive] 1216x1220: Charter - Charter granted to the community by Reginald de Braose, lord of Abergavenny and Brecon. [1 source][1 archive] 1217: Building work - Completion of the rebuilding of the church. [1 source] 1242: Praised - Archishop Albert of Armagh praised the priory where he had himself taken refuge. [1 source] 1276: Royal custody - The priory was in debt and duly taken into royal custody. [2 sources] c.1277-1300: Legal battles - In the late thirteenth century the priory faced a number of challenges from the Marcher lords and was involved in ongoing legal disputes. [3 sources] 1284: Visitation - Visitation of the priory was undertaken by Archbishop Pecham. [4 sources] 1284: Harbours outlaw - Peter de Marinis, an outlaw, took refuge in the priory. [1 source] c.1291: Wealth - According to the Taxatio of c. 1291 Llanthony's total income was estimated at c. £160. [5 sources] 1301: Monastic observance - Archbishop Winchelsey of Canterbury complained to the bishop of St David’s that a former prior of Llanthony was ‘wandering at large with the connivance of the bishop'. [3 sources] 1330: Theft - John of Hereford, a canon of Llanthony, was charged with theft and incarcerated in the bishop of Hereford’s prison. [1 source] 1348: Royal custody - The priory was once again taken into royal custody. [2 sources] 1354: Recalcitrant apostate - Thomas de Crudewell, a former canon of Llanthony who had absconded from the priory, wished to return to the religious life. [2 sources] 1373x1376: Violence - Prior Nicholas de Trinbey (Trinley) was brutally attacked by several canons of the house who gouged out his eyes. [4 sources][1 archive] 1376: Resignation of prior - On 8 February a mandate was issued to receive the resignation of Prior Nicholas Trilley (Trillek / de Trinleye). [3 sources] 1381: Clerical poll tax - The sub-prior, RALPH, and six monks [WALTER CROK, JOHN MARA, JOHN ABERGEVENY, NICHOLAS CARYLUNM, ROBERT WYNTER, JOHN LOUNDON] each paid a tax of 6s.8d. [1 source][1 archive] 1386: Prior imprisoned - The prior of Llanthony was imprisoned for failing to deliver the payment of tithes and subsidies he was charged with collecting. [2 sources] 1402x1405: Glyn DÅµr revolt - The priory suffered considerable damage as a consequence of the rebellion. The prior of Llanthony was initially suspected of supporting the rebel. [3 sources] 1481: Change in status: the union of the two priories - Llanthony Prima, originally the mother house, now became a cell of its daughter, Llanthony Secunda (Glos). [5 sources] 1504: Union finalised - The terms of Llanthony Secunda's takeover of Llanthony Prima were finalised. [1 source] 1522: Fiscal demands - Llanthony Prima was required to pay £20 towards financing the king's expenses in France. [1 source] 1534: Act of Supremacy - Prior John Ambrose acknowledged Royal Supremacy. [3 sources][1 archive] c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus the priory had an estimated net income of £112 0s 5d. [4 sources][1 archive] 1538: Dissolution - On 10 March David Kempe, alias Mathewe, surrendered Llanthony Prima; Llanthony Secunda was dissolved at the same time. [4 sources] + 26 minor events. Show minor events People associated with this site Clement , prior of Llanthony (prior) Geoffrey of Henlaw , prior of Llanthony; bishop of St David's (prior) Henry I , king of England, lord of Normandy (patron) Hugh de Lacy , lord of Weobley and Ewyas (patron) John Pecham; Peckam; Peckham , Archbishop of Canterbury (conducted visitation) Priors of Llanthony Prima Robert Béthune , prior of Llanthony; bishop of Hereford (prior) Roger fitz Miles , earl of Hereford (supporter) Roger le Poer , bishop of Salisbury (admirer) Walter de Lacy , magnate (patron) William of Wycombe (Wycumbe) , prior of Llanthony (prior) de Bohun (Bohun) , lords of Brecon; earls of Hereford (patrons) Bibliographical sources 54 Printed sources show sources Registrum Epistolarum Fratris Johannis Peckham Archiepiscopi Cantuariensis, Rerum Britannicarum medii aevi scriptores; or, Chronicles and memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, 77, 3 vols (London, 1882-1885) vol. 3, pp. 800-805 'The life of Robert de Bethune by William de Wycombe: translation with introduction and notes' (BLitt dissertation: University of Oxford, 1951) The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, I, 940-1216, ed. D. Knowles, C. Brooke and V. London (London, 1972; 2001) pp. 172-3 The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, II, 1216-1377, ed. D. M. Smith and V. London (CUP: Cambridge, 2001) pp. 413-414 The Heads of Religious Houses in England and Wales, III, 1377-1540, ed. David M. Smith (CUP: Cambridge, 2008) pp. 468-9 The Irish Cartularies of Llanthony Prima & Secunda / edited from the mss. in the Public Record Office, London, ed. Eric St. John Brooks (Dublin, 1953) The Register of John de Trillek, Bishop of Hereford (1344-1361), ed. J. H. Parry (Hereford, 1910) Medieval Monasteries of Great Britain, ed. Lionel Butler and Christopher Given-Wilson (London, 1979) pp. 47, 66, 287-289 Medieval Libraries of Great Britain: A List of Surviving Books, ed. N. R. Ker (Royal Historical Society: 2nd edn; London, 1964) pp. 119-120, 276 Medieval Religious Houses, England and Wales, ed. R. Neville Hadcock and David Knowles (Harlow, 1971) pp. 141, 164 The Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire, ed. Robert Atkyns (London, 1712; repr. 1974) 'Foundation history [Llanthony]', in The Ancient and Present State of Gloucester, 2 vols, ed. Sir Robert Atkyns (Gloucester, 1712, repr. 1974), pp. 505-506 Monasticon Anglicanum: a History of the Abbies and other Monasteries, Hospitals, Frieries, and Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, with their Dependencies, in England and Wales, 6 in 8 vols, ed. Sir William Dugdale, revised J. Caley, H. Ellis, B. Bandinel (London, 1817-1830) vol. 6 pt 1, pp. 127-140 Austin, David, and Stöber, Karen, 'Culdees to Canons: the Augustinian houses', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: 2013), pp. 39-54 Baddeley, W. St Clair, 'The Story of the Two Lantonys', Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeology Society, 25 (1902), pp. 212-221 Bennett, Kirsty, 'The book collections of Llanthony Priory from foundation until dissolution (c. 1100-1538)' (PhD thesis: University of Kent, 2006) 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) Burton, Janet, The Monastic and Religious Orders in Britain 1000-1300 (Cambridge, 1994) Cooper, R., Abbeys and Priories of Wales (Swansea, 1992) pp. 63-65 Cowley, F. G., The Monastic Order in South Wales 1066-1349 (Cardiff, 1977) Crampin, C. M., 'Llanthony Prima : An Assessment of Medieval Library Culture at Augustinian Houses in Wales' (M.Sc. (Econ.) thesis: University of Wales, Aberystwyth, 2003) Craster, O. E., Llanthony Priory (Ministry of Public Buildings and Works: London, 1963) Evans, D. H., 'Excavations at Llanthony priory, Gwent, 1978', The Monmouthshire Antiquary, 4 (1980), pp. 1-43 Evans, D.H., et al., 'Further Excavations and Fieldwork at Llanthony Priory', Monmouthshire Antiquarian, 5 (1984), pp. 1-61 Fisher, J., 'The Name Llanthony', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 6th series, 16 (1916) Gardner, I., 'A semi-subterranean columbarium, Llanthony', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 6th series, 9 (1909) Gardner, I., 'Llanthony Priory, Notes', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 6th series, 16 (1916) Gardner, I., 'Llanthony Prima', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 15 (1915), pp. 343-376 Golding, Brian, 'Trans-border transactions: patterns of patronage in Anglo-Norman Wales', Haskins Society Journal, 16, ed. S. Morillo & D. Korngiebel (Woodbridge, 2006), pp. 27-46 Graham, J. D. P., 'The treasures of Llanthony', Brycheiniog, 23 (1988-1989), pp. 43-45 Griffiths, R. A., 'Some secret supporters of Owain Glyn Dwr', Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research, 37 (1964), pp. 77-100 Hogan, Arlene, The Priory of Llanthony Prima and Secunda in Ireland, 1172-1541: Lands, Patronage and Politics (Four Courts Press: Dublin, 2007) Hogan, Arlene, 'Wales and Ireland: monastic links', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 163-174 Kightly, C., A Mirror of Medieval Wales: Gerald of Wales and his Journey of 1188, ed. D. M. Robinson (Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments: Cardiff, 1988) Langston, J. N., 'The priors of Llanthony by Gloucester', Transactions of the Bristol and Glos Archaeological Society, 63, pp. 1-144 Lloyd-Morgan, Ceridwen, 'Manuscripts and the monasteries', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 209-227 Lovegrove, E. W., 'Llanthony priory, Monmouthshire', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 99 (1947), pp. 64-77 Lovegrove, E. W., 'Llanthony Priory', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 97 (1942-1943), pp. 213-229 New, Elizabeth A., 'Biblical imagery on seals in medieval England and Wales', in Pourquoi les sceaux ? La sigillographie nouvel enjeu de lâ€™histoire de lâ€™art, ed. M. Gil (Lille, 2010) Platt, Colin, The Abbeys and Priories of Medieval England (Avon, 1984) p. 25 Proctor, E., 'Llanthony Priory in the Vale of Ewyas: the landscape impact of a medieval priory in the Welsh Marches' (M.Sc. Dissertation (Applied Landscape Archaeology): University of Oxford, 2007) Rhodes, J, 'The Date of Llanthony Prima Church', Monmouthshire Antiquary, 6 (1990), p. 59 Rhodes, J., 'Llanthony Priory', Glevensis, 23 (1989), pp. 16-30 Richter, M., 'Giraldus Cambrensis and Llanthony Priory', Studia Celtica, 12-13 (1977-78), pp. 118-132 Roberts, G., 'Some account of Llanthony Priory, Monmouthshire', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 1:3 (1846), pp. 201-245 Robinson, David M., The Geography of Augustinian Settlement in Medieval England and Wales, BAR British Series, 80, 2 vols (Oxford, 1980) Salt, A. E. W., The Borough and Manor of Weobley (Hereford, 1953) Simms, Anngret, 'The geography of Irish manors: the example of the Llanthony cells of Duleek and Colp, county Meath, with an appendix by John Bradley', in Settlement and society in medieval Ireland: studies presented to F.X. Martin, OSA, ed. John Bradley (Kilkenny, 1988), pp. 291-326 StÃ¶ber, 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 StÃ¶ber (Boydell and Brewer: Woodbridge, 2008), pp. 12-24 Stöber, Karen, 'The Regular Canons in Wales', in The Regular Canons in the Medieval British Isles, Medieval Church Studies, 19 (Brepols: Turnhout, 2011), pp. 97-113 Talbot, C. H., 'William of Wycombe, fourth prior of Llanthony', Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 76 (1958), pp. 62-69 Thurlby, Malcolm, Romanesque Architecture and Sculpture in Wales (Logaston Press: Little Logaston, 2006) pp. 148-156 Williams, David H., Welsh History through Seals (Cardiff Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru: Cardiff, 1982) p. 29 Williams, David H., 'Llanthony Prima Priory', The Monmouthshire Antiquary, 25-26 (2009-2010), pp. 13-50 5 On-line sources show online sources (all open in new window) Aerial photograph of Llanthony Prima (View website) Cadw - Llanthony (View website) Barrow, Julia, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online - William of Wycombe (View website) (Subscription reqd.) RCAHMW, Coflein database - Llanthony Priory Gatehouse (View website) RCAHMW, Coflein database - Llanthony Priory (View website) Archival sources National Library of Wales, 'Baker-Gabb deed', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony Prima', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony Prima', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony Prima', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony Prima: Gregorii Quaedam', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book formerly belonging to Llanthony Prima: miscellaneous theological and philosophical works', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, London, 'Book likely from Llanthony Prima', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Catalogue of Books from Llanthony Prima', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Catalogue of books from Llanthony, f. 11r', (Document), British Library, 'Catalogue of books from Llanthony, f.4r', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Catalogue of books in Llanthony, f. 3r', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Catalogue of books in Llanthony, f. 4v', (Document), (View website) The National Archives, 'Chancery warrants for Great Seal; request for secular aid against rebellious monks', (Document), (View website) The National Archives, 'Exchequer, King's Remembrancer, Clerical Subsidies - Llanthony 1381', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'History of the Augustinian canons' priory of Llanthony Prima (co. Monmouth) and Secunda (co. Glos).', (Document), (View website) Lambeth Palace, 'Life of Robert Bethune, by William Wycombe, fourth prior of Llanthony', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Life of Robert de Bethune by William Wycombe, fourth prior of Llanthony', (Document), (View website) Corpus Christi College, Oxford, 'Polychronicon', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'The History of the Foundation and Translation of the Monastery of Llanthony', (Document), (View website) Related articles on Monastic Wales Remnants of Llanthony Prima, Who were the Regular Canons?, Dr Karen StÃ¶ber Images of this site Arcading, Llanthony Chapterhouse, Llanthony Priory Corbel Corbel, Llanthony Prima East end of the priory church, Llanthony Groundplan of Llanthony, Cadw, Welsh Government (Crown Copyright) Lands owned by Llanthony Priory in the Upper Valley Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory Llanthony Priory church Llanthony Priory church, moulding Llanthony Priory, in the church, looking SW Llanthony Priory, south side Nave arcade Nave arcade Nave arcade Nave arcade Nave arcade, Llanthony Priory Nave of the former church Poll tax return for Llanthony Prima, 1381 Presbytery, Llanthony Priory Remains at Llanthony Remains of the former church, Llanthony Remains of the nave, Llanthony The former chapterhouse, Llanthony Prima The nave arcade	Llanthony Priory Monmouthshire, OS Grid:SO28852786 View site details on COFLEIN (RCAHMW database)[new window]

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