A religious community settled on Puffin Island in the sixth century but the community probably became Augustinian in the early thirteenth century, at the same time as its twin settlement, Penmon Priory.
According to Gerald of Wales (d. c. 1223), whenever there was strife within the community a plague of mice would devour the monks' food (Journey through Wales, trans. Thorpe, p. 190).show details of standing remains
Standing remains
The church and monastic buildings at Priestholme stood within an early medieval walled enclosure that was oval and was c. 80-100 metres in diameter. The church had a short nave, a chancel (subsequently overlain by a cottage), a south transept and a small central tower. Excavations in 1896 uncovered a small, early chancel which may predate the tower; the later chancel is thirteenth-century.
A range of buildings evidently stood north-west of the church along the enclosure wall. Human bones were allegedly found north-east of the church suggesting that there was a cemetery in this area.
Medieval Diocese: Bangor Affiliated to: Penmon (twin establishment) Lordship at foundation: Gwynedd Access: Private Owned by: Private
Main events in the history of this site
c.1221 x 1237: Foundation - A religious community settled on the island in the sixth century and probably became Augustinian in the thirteenth century, at the same time as its twin foundation of Penmon. [4 sources] 1303: Allegations - The bishop of Bangor was instructed to investigate allegations against Gervase de Perrouse, prior of the house. [2 sources] c.1537: Dissolution - The house was dissolved under the 1536 Act of Suppression at some date between 25 February and 13 June 1537. [4 sources] + 1 minor event.Show minor events
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
Stephenson, David, 'The rulers of Gwynedd and Powys', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches, ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 89-102
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
