Cardiff Priory was founded when Earl Robert fitz Hamon of Gloucester (d. 1107) granted the church of St Mary with its eight dependent chapels to Tewkesbury Abbey (Gloucestershire) to establish a cell for five monks. The priory may have been abandoned before its formal dissolution in 1403.show details of standing remains
Standing remains
Nothing remains of the former priory but some architectural fragments are preserved in the Church of St Mary, Butetown, and include a carved head.
Dedicated to: St Mary Medieval Diocese: Llandaff Affiliated to: Tewkesbury Abbey (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Glamorgan Access: No remains, but some architectural fragments survive at the Church of St Mary, Butetown
Main events in the history of this site
pre 1106: Foundation - Robert fitz Hamon granted the church of St Mary with its eight dependent chapels to Tewkesbury Abbey, to establish a cell for five monks. [2 sources] 1173x83: Rebuilding and re-dedication - The church was rebuilt and re-dedicated to St Mary and St Thomas the Martyr. [1 source] 1220: Community flees - The community escaped the turbulent conditions in Wales and took refuge at Tewkesbury Abbey. [4 sources] 1233: Administration - The prior of Cardiff returned from Tewkesbury to administer the priory's holdings but the weir on the Taff was leased out for five years. [2 sources] c.1291: Wealth - The priory’s holdings were assessed at £20 for the Taxatio Ecclesiastica. [2 sources] c.1300: Patronage - Patronage of the house was vested in the earls of Gloucester; it then passed to the Despensers and thereafter to the Crown. [1 source] 1403: Dissolution - The house was dissolved in 1403 although the site may have been abandoned prior to this. [2 sources] c.1403: Destruction - The priory was sacked by the rebel, Owain Glyn Dŵr (d. c. 1416). [1 source] + 6 minor events.Show minor events
