Site details: Neath


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: Neath (Abbey) also known as: Neath Order: Cistercian, Savigniac Neath was founded as a Savigniac house but later became part of the Cistercian Order. Following the Dissolution, Sir Richard Williams (alias Cromwell) bought the site and converted parts of the complex into a Tudor mansion. The antiquary, John Leland (d. 1552), regarded Neath as 'the fairest abbey of all Wales'.show details of standing remains Standing remains Extensive remains survive and include significant parts of the east and west claustral ranges and of the new church that was built in the late thirteenth / early fourteenth century. Read more. Dedicated to: Virgin Mary; Holy Trinity Medieval Diocese: Llandaff Affiliated to: Savigny (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Glamorgan Access: Public Owned by: Cadw Main events in the history of this site 1130: Foundation - Neath was founded as a Savigniac house by Richard de Granville and Constance. [9 sources][1 archive] 1147: A change of order - The Savigniac Order joined the Cistercian family and Neath duly became an abbey of Cistercian monks. [1 source] c.1196: Relocation - The uncertainty of the monks' situation at Neath prompted them to consider relocating to Exford, Somerset. [3 sources] c.1200: Episcopal confirmation - Henry of Abergavenny, bishop of Llandaff, probably issued his charter concerning the abbey's lands in Llandaff soon after the monks' failure to relocate to Somerset. [1 source][1 archive] 1207: Royal confirmation - The community acquired charters of confirmation from King John. [4 sources] 1210: Royal visitor - King John stopped off at the house en route to Ireland (Friday 21 May). [1 source] 1224: Destruction - One of Neath's houses was destroyed by the rebel, Morgan Gam, lord of Afan. [2 sources] c.1250: Deposition - Abbot Robert was removed from office and excommunicated. [1 source] 1269: Internal problems - Abbot Adam of Carmarthen (c. 1266-89) wrote to the General Chapter concerning the conduct of certain lay-brothers of Neath. [3 sources] c.1280: Building work - The monks began to build a new church. [1 source] 1284: Royal visit - Edward I visited the abbey. [2 sources] 1289: Agreement - The abbey made an agreement with its patron, Earl Gilbert de Clare. [3 sources] c.1291: Wealth - At this time Neath was one of the richest houses in medieval Wales. [4 sources] 1316: Destruction - Neath was reputedly devastated during the rebellion of Llywelyn Bren. [3 sources] 1326: Royal fugitive - Edward II sought refuge at Neath from 4-10 November, while moving around Wales for his safety. [2 sources] 1336: Royal confirmation - Edward III responded to the abbot of Neath's request to confirm the abbey's grants and privileges. [4 sources] c.1405: Destruction - Neath suffered extensively during the Glyn DÅµr rebellion. [3 sources] 1424-1441: Recovery - Under Abbot Thomas Franklin, Neath enjoyed a period of recovery leading to prosperity. [2 sources] 1468: Confirmation - Richard Neville, earl of Warwick and lord of Glamorgan, issued the community a significant charter confirming all its privileges and resources from the twelfth century. [3 sources] c.1500: Abbatial suite - The southern end of the dormitory and refectory was modified to make a private suite for the abbot. [1 source] 1510-1539: Reputation - Under Abbot Leyshon Thomas, Neath enjoyed a lofty reputation. [2 sources] c.1535: Wealth - According to the Valor Ecclesiasticus the abbey had a net annual income of £132 7s 7d. [3 sources] 1539: Dissolution - In February the house was suppressed. [3 sources] + 20 minor events. Show minor events People associated with this site Abbots of Neath Edward I , king of England , lord of Ireland, duke of Aquitaine (visitor) Edward II , king of England (fugitive) Edward Stradling, sheriff of Glamorgan (patron) Gilbert de Clare, seventh earl of Gloucester and sixth earl of Hereford (patron) John (Lackland) , king of England, and lord of Ireland, duke of Normandy and of Aquitaine, and count of Anjou (Guest) John Leland , antiquary, poet (visitor) Richard de Granville (Grainville), baron (founder) Bibliographical sources 89 Printed sources show sources 'Excursion to Margam and Neath Abbey', Gentleman's Magazine, new series, 11 (1861), pp. 392-393 'Two deeds relating to Neath Abbey', Publications, South Wales & Monmouth Record Society, 2, ed. A. G. Foster (1950), pp. 201-6 Llandaff Episcopal Acta 1140-1287, Publications of the South Wales Record Society, 5, ed. David Crouch (South Wales Record Society: Cardiff, 1988) The Cistercian Abbeys of Britain: far from the concourse of men, ed. David M. Robinson (London, 1998) pp. 149-150 Cartae et alia munimenta quae ad dominium de Glamorgancia pertinent, 6 vols, ed. G. T. Clark, revised G. L. Clark (Cardiff, 1910) Annales Cambriae (AD 444-1288), Rolls Series, 20, ed. J. Williams ab Ithel (London, 1860) Medieval Libraries of Great Britain: A List of Surviving Books, ed. N. R. Ker (Royal Historical Society: 2nd edn; London, 1964) p. 133 Annales Cambriae: A Translation of Harleian 3859; PRO E.164/1; Cottonian Domitian, A 1; Exeter Cathedral Library MS. 3514 and MS Exchequer DB Neath, PRO E, ed. Paul Martin Remfry (SCS Publishing : Malvern, 2007) Medieval Religious Houses, England and Wales, ed. R. Neville Hadcock and David Knowles (Harlow, 1971) pp. 113, 122 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. 5, pp. 259-61 Anon., 'Possessions of the abbey of Neath', Transactions, Neath Antiquarian Society, 2nd series, 7 (1939), pp. 92-93 Biebrach, Rhianydd, 'The Fairest Abbey of All Wales: Neath Abbey and its Estates', Journal of Medieval Monastic Studies, 3 (2014), pp. 97-118 Birch, Walter de Gray, 'A History of Neath Abbey derived from original documents ... with some account of the castle and town of Neath [and] notices of the other monasteries of Glamorganshire' (Neath, 1902) Burton, Janet, 'The foundation of the British Cistercian houses', in Cistercian Art and Architecture in the British Isles, ed. Christopher Norton and David Park (Cambridge, 1986), pp. 24-39 Butler, Lawrence A. S., 'Medieval floor tiles at Neath abbey', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 122 (1974 for 1973), pp. 154-158 Butler, Lawrence A. S., 'The foundation charter of Neath Abbey', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 148 (2001 for 1999), pp. 214-216 Butler, Lawrence A. S., 'Neath abbey: the twelfth-century church', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 133 (1985), pp. 147-151 Butler, R., A History of Neath Abbey (HMSO: London, 1976) Cooper, R., Abbeys and Priories of Wales (Swansea, 1992) pp. 69-71 Cowley, F., 'Neath versus Margam: Some 13th Century Disputes', Transactions of the Port Talbot Historical Society, 1 (1967), pp. 7-14 Daniel, Stephen, 'The patronage and benefaction of Cistercian monasteries in the frontier zones of the March of Wales, 1130-c.1256' (Masters dissertation, 2013) Daniel, Stephen, 'The patronage and benefaction of Cistercian monasteries in the frontier zones of the Marcher Lordship of Glamorgan, 1130-c. 1256: Neath and Margam Abbeys', Morgannwg, 59 (2015) Department of the Environment, GB, Neath Abbey, Glamorgan (HMSO: London, 1973) Dolley, R. H. M., 'A further find of Edward pennies at Neath abbey', British Numismatic Journal, 8 (1958), pp. 555-559 Dolley, R. H. M., 'A Find of Pence of Edward I and II at Neath Abbey', British Numismatic Journal, 28 (1955/57), pp. 294-298 Edwards, Susan and Beckley, Susan, 'News from the record offices', Morgannwg, 45 (2001), pp. 109-113 Francis, G. G., Original Charters and Materials for a History of Neath and its Abbey (Privately printed: Swansea, 1845) Gaimster, Märit, and Bradley, John, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland, 2001: Neath Abbey (SS 738 973)', Medieval Archaeology, 46 (2002), p. 262 Golding, Brian, 'Piety, politics and plunder across the Anglo-Welsh frontier: acquiring the relics of Winifred and Beuno', in Monasteries on the Borders of Medieval Europe: Conflict and Cultural Interaction, Medieval Church Studies, 28, ed. Emilia Jamroziak and Karen Stöber (Brepols: Turnhout, 2013), pp. 19-48 Gray, Madeleine, 'Preface to Cistercians in Wales and the west', Archaeologia Cambrensis, (2007), pp. 17-26 Harper, Sally, Music in Welsh Culture before 1650: A Study of the Principal Sources (Ashgate: Aldershot, 2007) Hopkins, Tony, 'Cistercians and the urban community at Neath', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 154 (2007), pp. 125-132 Hughes, Kathleen Winifred, The Welsh Latin chronicles: Annales Cambriae and related texts, Proceedings of the British Academy, 59 (1975), pp. 233-258 Hurst, John G., 'Medieval Britain in 1956: Glamorgan: Neath Abbey (SS/737974)', Medieval Archaeology, 1 (1957), p. 154 Huws, Daniel, 'The Neath abbey Breviate of Domesday', in Wales and the Welsh in the Middle Ages, ed. R. A. Griffiths and P. R. Schofield (University of Wales Press: Cardiff, 2011), pp. 46-55 Johnson, Syd, 'Neath Abbey Research Party', Neath Antiquarian Society Transactions (1996/97), pp. 27-36 Jones, Anthony L., The Medieval Heraldic Inlaid Paving Tiles of Neath Abbey (Cowbridge, 1996) Kerr, Julie, 'Cistercian hospitality in the later Middle Ages', in Monasteries and Society in the British Isles in the Later Middle Ages, Studies in the History of Medieval Religion, 35, ed. Janet Burton and Karen StÃ¶ber (Woodbridge, 2008), pp. 25-39 Kerr, Julie E., Life in the Medieval Cloister (Continuum: London and New York, 2009) pp. 19, 36 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) Knight, H. H. and Moxham, E., Specimens of Inlaid Tiles Heraldic and Geometric from Neath Abbey Glamorganshire (Neath Philosophical Institution: Neath, 1848) Knight, L. S., 'Welsh Monasteries and Education', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 6th series, 20 (1920), pp. 257-275 Lawrence, L., Neath Abbey, West Glamorgan = Abaty Need, Gorllewin Morgannwg (HMSO: London, 1976) Leland, John, The Itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543, ed. Lucy T. Smith (London, 1907-10) vol. 4, p. 51 Lewis, David, 'Notes on the Charters of Neath Abbey', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 5th series, 4:14 (1887), pp. 86-115 Lewis, Frank R., 'A History of the Lordship of Gower from the Missing Cartulary of Neath Abbey', Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies, 9 (1938), pp. 149-154 Lewis, J. M., The Medieval Tiles of Wales (Cardiff, 1999) pp. 240-1 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 Locok, Martin, 'General Assessments: Neath Abbey Rockland Estate (SS7380 9780)', Archaeology in Wales, 42 (2002), p. 94 Milne, H., 'Neath Abbey', Archaeology in Wales, 41 (2001), p. 151 Moore, James, Concise descriptions of Ewenny Priory, Neath Abbey ... Haverfordwest Priory (1788) Moore, Patricia, 'Neath Abbey Endowment Charter, ca. 1129', Morgannwg, 35 (1991), pp. 96-97 MÃ¼ller, Anne, 'Interpretations of claustral spaces with special reference to dormitories', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches ed. Janet Burton and Karen StÃ¶ber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 229-245 Newman, John, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan (Penguin/University of Wales Press: London, 1995) pp. 463-71 O'Sullivan, J. F., Cistercian settlements in Wales and Monmouthshire, 1140-1540, Fordham Univ. Studies, History series, 2 (New York, 1947) pp. 27-28 Ormrod, W. M., 'Edward II at Neath Abbey, 1326', Neath Antiquarian Society Transactions, 2 (1988-9), pp. 107-112 Phillips, D. Rhys, 'The Abbey of Neath', in History of the Vale of Neath (Swansea, 1925), pp. 62-69, 656-658 Phillips, T. C., Historical Glimpses of Neath Abbey Ruins (E. Morgan: Neath, 1906) Platt, Colin, The Abbeys and Priories of Medieval England (Avon, 1984) pp. 51, 71, 72, 240 Redknap, Mark, and Williams, David, 'Seal matrix from Aberavon Beach, Port Talbot', Morgannwg, 43 (1999), pp. 90-91 Rees, David, 'Walterston, an Old Gower settlement', Gower, 35 (1984), pp. 57-64 Richard, Arthur J., 'The Religious Houses of Glamorgan', in Stewart William's Glamorgan Historian 2 ed. Stewart Williams (D. Brown: Cowbridge, 1965), pp. 61-75 Robinson, David M., The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540, Society of Antiquaries of London, Research Committee Report (London, 2006) pp. 261-267 Robinson, David M., Neath Abbey (Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Commission: Cardiff, 1989; rev. 1993, 1997) Robinson, David M. and Harrison, Stuart, 'Cistercian Cloisters in England and Wales: Part I', Journal of the British Archaeological Association, 159 (2006), pp. 131-207 Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. Vol. IV: Domestic Architecture from the Reformation to the Industrial Revolution, part 1: the Greater Houses (HMSO: Cardiff, 1981) pp. 78-89 Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales, 'Monastic granges', in An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan, vol. III: Medieval Secular Monuments, Part II: Non-Defensive (Cardiff, 1982), pp. 245-306 Smallwood, T. M., 'The date of the Gough Map', Imago Mundi, 62 (2010), pp. 3-29 Smith, E. George, 'Abbey of Neath vs. the Abbey of Margam', Neath Antiquarian Society Transactions, 2nd series, 3 (1932-33), pp. 87-89 Smith, E. George, 'The Grange at Sker', Neath Antiquarian Society Transactions, 2nd series, 3 (1932-33), pp. 29-31 Spurgeon, C. J. and H. J. Thomas, 'St. Michael's Chapel, Cwrt-y-Carnau', Archaeology in Wales, 15 (1975), pp. 58-59 Spurgeon, C. J. and Thomas, H. J., 'Gelli Garn Grange', Archaeology in Wales, 14 (1974), p. 33 Stone, R., '11 Longford Road, Neath Abbey (SS 7374 9771)', Morgannwg, 45 (2001), p. 94 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 Sutton, T. S., 'Neath Abbey', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 5th series, 4:14 (1887), pp. 81-5 Taylor, Glen A., 'St. Margaret's', Neath Antiquarian Society Transactions, 2nd series, 1 (1930-31), pp. 88-91 Thomas, C. S. and Taylor, F. E., Neath Abbey 1130-1938: A Short Guide to the ruins taken from the notes of the late Glen A. Taylor (Neath, 1938) Thomas, H. J., 'Crynant Chapel, West Glamorgan (SN794 047)', Morgannwg, 38 (1994), pp. 122-123 Thomas, H. J., 'Industrial and Urban: Monknash Grange', The Cardiff Area: Proceedings of the 139th Summer Meeting of the Royal Archaeological Institute, 1993, Supplement to the Archaeological Journal, 150, ed. N. J. G. Pounds (Leeds, 1993), pp. 75-78 Toft, L. A., 'Walterston Grange', Annual Report Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, part two (1983-84), pp. 145-148 Toft, L. A., 'Walterston Grange', Gower, 47 (1996), pp. 55-62 Wilcox, M., 'The foundation charter of Neath Abbey', Annual Report of the Glamorgan County Archivist (1990), pp. 17-18 Williams, David H., The Cistercians in the Early Middle Ages (Leominster, 1998) Williams, David H., Atlas of Cistercian Lands in Wales (Cardiff, 1990) pp. 53-6 Williams, David H., Welsh History through Seals (Cardiff Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru: Cardiff, 1982) p. 30 Williams, David H., 'Catalogue of Welsh ecclesiastical seals as known down to AD 1600, 4: Seals of Cistercian monasteries', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 136 (1988), pp. 138-155 Williams, G., 'Neath Abbey', in Neath and District: A Symposium, ed. E. Jenkins (2nd edn; Neath, 1974), pp. 73-91 Williams, Glanmor, The Welsh and their religion: historical essays (Cardiff, 1991) Williams, Glanmor, 'The Dissolution of the monasteries in Glamorgan', Welsh History Review, 3 (1966), pp. 23-43 25 On-line sources show online sources (all open in new window) Cadw - Neath (View website) The Cistercians in Yorkshire Project - Neath (View website) People's Collection Wales - images relating to Neath Abbey (View website) Image of the foundation charter of Neath Abbey, 1130 (View website) Image of the foundation charter of Neath Abbey (reverse) (View website) Image of Neath Abbey Charter, c. 1200 (View website) Neath Abbey - fourteenth-century floor tiles (View website) View of Neath Abbey (View website) View of undercroft of dormitory, Neath Abbey (View website) Silver seal of the Abbot of Neath, 14th century (View website) Neath Abbey - fourteenth-century floor tile (shield) (View website) Aerial photograph of Neath Abbey Mansion, 1997 (View website) Neath Abbey - fourteenth-century floor tile (View website) Medieval floor tiles from Neath Abbey (View website) Neath Abbey - floor tile (View website) Neath Abbey - half floor tile (View website) Neath Abbey - floor tile (grotesque) (View website) Neath Abbey floor tile (knight on horseback) (View website) Neath Abbey floor tile (heraldic shield) (View website) Neath Abbey floor tile (lions) (View website) Neath Abbey floor tile (shield with three fusils) (View website) RCAHMW, Coflein database - Monknash grange (View website) RCAHMW, Coflein database - Marcross Grange (View website) RCAHMW, Coflein database - Neath Abbey (View website) Swansea Heritage Net, Medieval Tiles Neath Abbey (View website) Archival sources The National Archives, 'Acknowledgement of receipt of land by Neath Abbey; abbatial seal attached', (Document), (View website) British Library, 'Agreement between the abbeys of Margam and Llantarnam', (Document), (View website) The National Archives, 'Annales Cambriae: Annales ab orbe conditio adusque AD MCCLXXXVI (1286)', (Document), (View website) Hereford Cathedral Library, 'Book formerly belonging to Neath Abbey', (Document), (View website) National Library of Wales, 'Dynevor Estate Records', (Collection), (View website) West Glamorgan Archive Service, 'Neath Abbey Charters - foundation charter', (Document), (View website) West Glamorgan Archive Service, 'Neath Abbey Charters: confirmation of the abbey's lands in Llandaff by Bishop Henry de Abergavenny', (Document), (View website) The National Archives, 'Office of the Auditors of Land Revenue and predecessors: Receivers' Accounts, Series I. BISHOPRICS O', (Collection),m. 4r. (View website) Glamorgan Record Office, 'Tyrwhitt Drake of St Donats Castle Collection', (Collection), (View website) Related articles on Monastic Wales Remnants of Neath Abbey, The Cistercians in Wales, Professor Janet Burton Who were the Cistercians?, Professor Janet Burton Images of this site $Brothers\$ Brothers' lane, Neath Abbey Carved head Cloister doorway into the church Daystairs, Neath Doorway into the library and sacristy Eastern range Exterior of the west range, Neath Abbey Groundplan of Neath, Cadw, Welsh Government (Crown Copyright) Lane in the western cloister area Large collapsed section of the north choir aisle Monknash Grange buildings Nave, Neath Abbey Night stairs, Neath Abbey North nave aisle, Neath Abbey North transept altar, Neath Abbey Pier and arches of the undercroft of the latrine of the eastern range Piers and arches of the undercroft of the latrine of the eastern range with post-Dissolution window Post-Dissolution house Post-Dissolution house Remains of Monknash Grange Remains of the cloister South end of the west range, Neath Abbey South side of the post-Dissolution house Tiles Tiles Tiles Tiles Tudor Mansion, Neath Abbey Undercroft, Neath Abbey Unidentified cleric West front of Neath Abbey West range, Neath Abbey Western range	Tiles, Neath Abbey Neath Port Talbot, OS Grid:SS73789736 View site details on COFLEIN (RCAHMW database)[new window]

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