Penmon Priory, on the east tip of Anglesey, had a long history as a religious establishment but was home to an Augustinian community seemingly from the early thirteenth century, when canons were sent to replace the community of secular clerks. The priory remained Augustinian until the Dissolution but by then it was one of the poorest religious houses in Wales.
Standing remains
Today the church of St Seiriol's is part of the rectorial benefice of Beaumaris, within the diocese of Bangor, and the medieval remains are the most complete example of a twelfth-century church in Gywnedd. Read more.
Medieval Diocese: Bangor Affiliated to: Puffin Island (twin establishment) Lordship at foundation: Gwynedd Access: Public Owned by: Parish church of St Seiriol's, Representative Body of the Church in Wales; priory ruins in the guardianship of CADW
Main events in the history of this site
c.1220: Foundation - Penmon, like other important 'clasau' in Northern Wales, was reorganised as an Augustinian foundation. [1 source] 1221: Grant - The canons of Puffin Island acquired ownership of an onshore site at Penmon. [2 sources] 1229: Confirmation - Dafydd ap Llywelyn confirmed his father's charter of 1221. [2 sources] 1238: Confirmation - Dafydd ap Llywelyn confirmed once more his father's charter. [1 source] 1247 : Confirmation - Additional confirmations were made by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and his brother, Owain. [2 sources] 1258: Abbot as witness - The prior of Penmon, along with the prior of Beddgelert and the abbots of Bardsey and Aberconwy, witnessed Llywelyn’s charter pledging his protection to Maredudd ap Rhys, in return for the latter’s homage. [1 source] 1282: Destruction - The priory suffered during the Edwardian wars and was burned; the community received £46 compensation. [1 source] 1381: Clerical poll tax - Payments required from the community. [1 source][1 archive] c.1400: Government of house - There was a change in the government of the priory which was now presided over by English priors who had burgesses in Beaumaris town. [1 source] 1504: Visitation - The visitation records of William Warham, archbishop of Canterbury, record the incontinence of Prior John Ingram of Penmon and two of the canons. [2 sources][1 archive] 1509: Fine - The prior of Penmon was fined 10s for failing to attend the Augustinian General Chapter at Leicester. [1 source] c.1535: Wealth - The Valor Ecclesiasticus estimated the priory's income at just over £40, making it one of the poorest religious houses in Wales. [2 sources][1 archive] 1536 : Request - Sir Richard Bulkeley wrote to Thomas Cromwell on Prior John of Penmon's behalf. [2 sources] c.1537: Dissolution - The house was dissolved under the Act of 1536, but no date is given. [2 sources] + 12 minor events.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
Davies, M. H., 'A deed of Penmon priory', National Library of Wales Journal, 21 (1979), p. 111
Gem, R., 'Gruffudd ap Cynan and the Romanesque church of Penmon, Anglesey', in The Archaeology of Early Medieval Celtic Churches, Society for Medieval Archaeology Monograph, 29 / Society for Church Archaeology Monograph, 1 (Maney: Leeds, 2009), pp. 301-312
H. L. J., 'Penmon Priory, Anglesey', Archaeologia Cambrensis, 3rd series, 18:35 (1863), p. 261
Holme, G. G., 'Penmon Priory', Procceedings of the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay and District Field Club, 12 (1926), pp. 14-22
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