Timeline of the Abbey
Explore Whitland Abbey’s centuries long history with this interactive timeline. Click on each tab to discover the events that occurred at the Abbey in that period.
- 12th Century
- 13th Century
- 14th Century
- 15th Century
- 16th Century
- 17th Century
- 18th Century
- 20th Century
- 21st Century
1140
An abbey is founded by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux on September 16th at the Invitation of Bernard, bishop of St. David’s. It remained under episcopal patronage until its suppression. The abbey is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, like all Cistercian Houses. The location of the abbey is unknown.
1144
An unknown second site for the abbey is established. Its location in the medieval Cantref of Daugleddau, makes Little Trefgarn near Haverfordwest, the most probable location over a site south of Lampeter Velfrey, favoured by the Royal Commission in 1917.
1151-1155
Following the death of Bernard, the abbey moves to a permanent location in Whitland. The abbey is also known as Alba Landa, Blanchland and Ty Gwyn ar TafIn medieval documents. 1151, the date suggested by Janauschek, has gained Acceptance. The structural evidence suggests the abbey church was constructed in this year. The rest of the abbey was probably completed by 1155. The choice of site was influenced by the proximity of a Roman road and reliable water supply. A confirmation of the foundation charter issued in 1214, says that the abbey and extensive surrounding lands were granted by John of Torrington, a Devon magnate and constable of Pembroke and Carmarthen castles in 1199 and 1200. These dates are far too late for him to have been the original donor. It is possible that his father with the same name was the original donor, or John of Torrington gave a retrospective grant of the land already occupied by Whitland Abbey.
1164-1225
The white monks of Whitland formed Welsh daughter houses at Strata Florida, Strata Marcella and Cwmhir, as well as two in Ireland, Comber and Tracton (where Welsh was spoken) between these years. Whitland’s Welsh daughter houses also founded Llantarnam, Aberconwy, Cymer and Valle Crucis.
1165
Although the abbey was established under Anglo-Norman patronage, in the years following 1165, Rhys ap Gruffyd, through statesmanship and fighting acquired the patronage of Whitland Abbey. The Lord Rhys was instrumental in the appointment of Cynan, the first of many Welsh Abbots at Whitland. The abbey became known as a centre of Welsh culture and resistence. Rhys and a number of his sons added to the community’s endowments.
1171
The importance of Whitland Abbey is underlined by the Lord Rhys choosing it as the Venue of homage to Henry II.
1186
Whitland Abbey is used as a mausoleum by its Welsh royal patrons beginning with Cadwaladr and Maredudd, who was a Whitland monk for many years until his death in 1239. Maredudd, was given as a hostage by his father Rhys and blinded on the orders of Henry II, before being released back to Whitland. During these thriving years, a later document claimed a community of over 100 monks at Whitland. Although this would have included lay brothers, it highlights Whitland’s prominent standing. An annual fair was held at Eglwys Fair, now in Whitland Town.
1188
The entourage of Archbishop Baldwin of Canterbury, accompanied by Gerald of Wales stayed at the abbey during the preaching of the third crusade.
1220
The abbey complained about the burden of hospitality – abbots travelling from Ireland to the General Chapter at Citeaux often broke their journey at Whitland.
1247
Whitland struggled to resolve its allegiances between a remote king and his Anglo-Norman barons and the Welsh aristocracy, leading it to become involved in the wars of the 13th century. During the campaign leading up to the English reverse of 1257, a band of knights under Patrick de Chaworth, Lord of Kidwelly and Nicholas FitzMartin, Lord of Cemaes, entered the abbey, beat the monks and killed some of the servants in the cemetery.
1258
The abbey was plundered by royalists on Febriary 4th and servants were again killed in the Skirmish.
1271
Maredudd ap Rhys Gryg, a grandson of Rhys is buried at the front steps of the High Altar.
1274
Despite Whitland giving its support to Llywelyn ap Gruffudd when accusations were made against him by the bishop of St. Asaph, the abbey had changed its allegiance to the English crown during this period. Whitland stood for the king during the baronial unrests of the reign of Henry III and for this had been given royal protection in 1268.
1277
Forces loyal to the English king were mustered at the abbey and must have been in collusion with the convent.
1280
Despite its allegiance with the English crown, the abbey appears to have been consistently singled out for punitive measures. The abbey woods along with those belonging to the grandsons of Rhys ap Gruffudd were cut down under royal Supervision, accused of harbouring rebels.
1291
Taxio Ecclesiastica Whitland had an estimate income of 43 pounds, 15s and 4d, this insignificant amount was a consequence of the Edwardian wars. During this period the abbey sought compensation for war damages. It is not known if this relates to the war of 1282-83 or the later rising of 1294-95.
1295
Edward I stays at the abbey on June 5th during the revolts.
1315
The foundation charter was confirmed again, as well as in 1339, 1447 and 1508.
1320
The abbot of Whitland decided to be governed by English rather than Welsh custom, that had been the established tradition.
1347
The Black Death hastened an economic decline for the abbey.
1377
Clerical poll tax – payments demanded from the community and again in 1379.
1403
The abbot of Whitland is branded a rebel and of supporting Glyn Dwr, the abbey suffers punitive measures from the crown.
1433
The Whitland Abbot David ap Rhys is indicated for his alleged part in the treason of Henry V’s brother Humphrey Plantagenet. He was pardoned after a brief period in which the abbey possessions were sequestrated. The charges against him were never clear and were probably retribution for the Glyn Dwr uprising.
1491
Abbot Huby of Fountains, reformator of the Cistercian houses in England and Wales, deposed the abbot of Whitland “for moral laxity and illicit contracts”.
1496
A monk of Neath Abbey murdered a secular priest in the cloister while staying at Whitland.
1536
Whitland Abbey was dissolved along with other houses with incomes of less than 200 pounds.
1537
The abbey is reformed in April 1537 by the “will of King Henry VIII”, possibly for a payment of 400 pounds.
1539
The reprieve is short-lived and Whitland Abbey is voluntarily surrendered for the final time.
1544
The abbey demesne itself may have been granted briefly to Sir Thomas Audley and John Cordel.
1545
The site was leased to Dr. John Vaughan, for 11 15s 0d, who along with Sir John Perrot had complaints against them of repeated attempts to acquire abbey possessions and holdings, including the tolls of Eglwys Fair. Some of the abbey’s finer stones were used by Perrot in his Elizabethan residence at Laugharne castle, as well as other local buildings.
1605
The abbey estate is acquired by the Brett Family of London, and it is assumed but not proven that they had a residence there.
1636
An ironworks appears to have been first established by industrialist George Mynne the forge was operational by 1638 under his agent William Rutland.
1648
Mynne dies, but local tradition has it that the forge supplied cannon shot for Cromwell’s siege of Pembroke in the same year.
1650’s
The forge is operational under Rutland until sometime in this decade, but its later tenancy is not known until:
1722
The forge is leased to Peter Chetle.
1729
Chetle sells his interest in the abbey works to Lewis Hughes of Carmarthen.
1789
Following an unknown period of closure, the Lease of Whitland Forge was obtained by John Morgan, the son of the great Carmarthenshire ironmaster Robert Morgan. It was sublet annually for 80 pounds. Morgan purchased the freehold.
1929
An excavation takes place of the site, many years after it is rediscovered. It is said that it was lost for years and only rediscovered when the landowner drained a substantial lake on the site. The large mounds next to the Victorian roadside wall are believed to be spoilheaps from the excavations that took place around this time.
1930
CADW includes Whitland Abbey as a designated scheduled monument in December – reference CM014.
1966
CADW includes the remains of Whitland Abbey including the garden walls to the south of it as a listed building in November – reference 9392.
1986
A proposed sale by the owner of the land including the Whitland Abbey site led to a feasibility studt about how the site could be managed and maintained. Before this had been fully resolved Home Farm and the area that is now part of their private garden were sold privately. As a result the managment plan was shelved, and some of the Abbey site remains ended up in private ownership, some were held by the Menevia Diocese.
1993
The then Carmarthen District Council signed a 21 year lease for the Menevia Diocese owned area, thanks to interest by the Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society.
1994
Carmarthen District Council provided funding for an evaluation excavation by Cambria Archaeology, who were assisted by Trinity College Carmarthen.
1995
Archaeological work was carried out by those two bodies. Black and white images on this website show some of the work done then.
1996
Site consolidation work was done for public display, and the area was opened to the public.
2014
The 21 year lease lapsed, but was not taken on by any body so the management of the site reverted to the Menevia Diocese. Over the intervening years periodic discussions took place with Llanboidy Community Council, until
2019
Whitland Town Council took on a 25 year lease for the Abbey site. Work started, carried out by volunteers linked to the Council, to bring the Abbey site back towards how it looked in 1996 and raise awareness of its historical importance.
2021
Whitland Town Council handed back the lease to the Diocese. A lease was subsequently agreed with Cymdeithas Genedlaethol Hywel Dda. Work by volunteers linked to them again started, tomake the site more attractive and raise awareness of the Abbey.
1929
Excavations were carried out at the site, which it is believed resulted in the spoil heaps adjacent to the roadside wall that are now grassed over.
1930
CADW designated Whitland Abbey a scheduled monument in December – reference CM014.
1966
The remains of Whitland Abbey including the garden walls to the south are listed by CADW in November – reference 9392.
1986
The proposed sale of the area including Home Farm and what is now a private garden led to a feasibility study regarding future management of the site. Home Farm and the private garden were sold off, leading to the shelving of the whole site management plan.
1993
The then Carmarthen District Council signed a 21 year lease of the Abbey Church ruins, thanks to interest from Carmarthenshire Antiquarian Society.
1994
Carmarthen District Council provided funding for an evaluation excavation by Cambria Archaeology assisted by Trinity College, Carmarthen.
1995
Archaeological clearance was carried out by the above parties. Most of the black and white images you may find on this site date from this excavation period.
1996
Site consolidation for public display was concluded and opened to the public.
2014
The 21 year lease lapsed. Discussions were held for several years with various bodies regarding taking on the lease and management of the site.
2019
Whitland Town Council took on a 25 year lease for the site. A group of volunteers formed linked to the Council to actively promote and work on the site to make it more accessible.
2021
Whitland Town Council gave up their lease. A lease was agreed between Cymdeithas Genedlaethol Hywel Dda and the Menevia Diocese. Work (by a linked group of volunteers) restarted to raise awareness of the historical importance of Whitland Abbey and to make it a more appealing place to visit.
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