Abergavenny takes its name from its situation at the confluence of the River Gavenny and the Usk.
[Gerald of Wales, Journey Through Wales, p. 108]
Abergavenny was founded by Hamelin of Barham (Ballon) as an alien cell of St Vincent, Le Mans. It was later raised to conventual status but was dissolved with the suppression of the alien priories. show details of standing remains
Standing remains:
The priory church now survives as the parish church of St Mary which houses one of the finest collections of tombs and effigies in Wales. Little remains of the conventual buildings that stood to the south of the church; a late medieval tithe barn associated with the priory is now a shop and visitor centre. Read more.
Dedicated to: St Mary Medieval Diocese: Llandaff Affiliated to: St Vincent, Le Mans, Normandy (mother-house) Lordship at foundation: Abergavenny Access: Open to public (St Mary's Parish Church) Owned by: Representative Body of the Church in Wales
Main events in the history of this site
c.1100: Foundation - Abergavenny was founded c. 1087/1100 by Hamelin of Barham, as an alien cell of St Vincent, Le Mans, of which Hamelin was a benefactor. [2 sources] 1154x89: Change in status - Abergavenny was raised to conventual status. [2 sources] c.1204: Contact with mother-house - Following King John’s loss of Normandy, Maine, Anjou and Touraine to the king of France, relations and communications between Abergavenny and its mother-house were impeded and visitation was more irregular. [1 source] c.1291: Wealth - According to the figures compiled for the Taxatio Ecclesiastica, Abergavenny had an estimated income of £51 17s 10 ½ d, held 241 acres and held two mills. [2 sources] c.1294: Custody - Shortly after the outbreak of war Abergavenny was seized by the Crown as an alien priory. [1 source] 1320: Visitation - Visitation by Bishop Adam de Orleton of Hereford who was concerned with the state of monastic observance that he witnessed. [4 sources] pre 1325: Community - At some point before his death, John Hastings, the patron of Abergavenny, arranged that the French monks of the priory should be replaced with Englishmen. [1 source] 1339: Custody - The prior of Abergavenny was allowed to retain custody of his house for the fine of £20 and an annual payment of £8. [1 source] 1343: Allegations - It was rumoured that the prior of Abergavenny had fled to France taking with him the monastery’s jewels and money. [1 source] c.1405: Destruction - Abergavenny was badly hit by Owain Glyn Dŵr’s revolt and like many other houses suffered devastation. [1 source] c.1417: Rejuvenation - Robert Eton, a monk of Christ Church Canterbury, succeeded William as prior and successfully restored Abergavenny’s fortunes. [1 source] 1428: Papal indulgence - Maintenance work was financed through a papal indulgence. [1 source] 1441: Change in status - Abergavenny becomes a denizen priory. [1 source] 1534 : Act of Supremacy - On 12 September the prior, William Marley, acknowledged royal supremacy. [2 sources] c.1535: Wealth - On the eve of the Dissolution Abergavenny’s income was assessed for the Valor Ecclesiasticus at £129. [3 sources][1 archive] 1536: Dissolution - The house was surveyed 7 June and dissolved 5-6 September. [4 sources] + 12 minor events.Show minor events
Cartwright, Jane, 'Abbess Annes and the ape', in Monastic Wales: New Approaches ed. Janet Burton and Karen Stöber (University of Wales: Cardiff, 2013), pp. 191-207
Stöber, 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 Stöber (Boydell and Brewer: Woodbridge, 2008), pp. 12-24
