The Story of the Abbey

Whitland Abbey was the site of some of the defining moments in Welsh history. It played an integral part in the Welsh-Anglo relations of the 12th-15th centuries and at time enjoyed a tumultuous and often violent history. The incredible story of the Abbey is detailed below.

The Beginning

In 1140, a Cistercian community had come from Clairvaux, France to Wales, at the invitation of Bishop Bernard of St. David’s. They first settled in a place that is referred to as Alba Landa and later moved to Trefgarn. These first two sites, however, have never been located. In 1151, after land was granted to the monks by John of Torrington  Whitland was chosen by the Cistercian community as their third and final site and the Abbey was established.

A Welsh Abbey

Although the abbey benefited from Anglo-Norman patronage, it soon developed a distinctive Welsh cultural identity, through a combination of force and statesmanship from Rhys ap Gruffudd. The Lord Rhys was instrumental in the appointment of Cynan, the abbey’s first Welsh Abbot. His regard for the house was such that he chose it as the site for his homage to King Henry II in 1171.

Expansion

As the Abbey’s importance grew, its “white monks” (known by their distinctive white habits) formed and colonised several “daughter houses”: Strata Florida (1164-65), Strata Marcella (1170), Cwmhir (1176) in Wales and Comber (1200) and Tracton (1224-24) in Ireland, where Welsh was spoken. The Welsh daughter houses themselves later founded Llantarnam (1179), Aberconwy (1186), Cymer (1198) and Valle Crucis (1201).

A Royal Mausoleum

Whitland and Strata Florida’s standing as important seats of Welsh medieval culture, resulted in them becoming burial sites for their Welsh royal patrons, as well as other prominent Welsh people. Several of Rhys ap Gruffudd’s children, Cawaladr, Maredudd, Gwenllian (daughter of Rhys and wife of Ednyfed Fychan), as well as Owen and Meredydd Ddall were buried at Whitland Abbey. Meredydd ap Rhys Grug – a famous soldier from Dryslwyn Castle, Dafydd Nanmor the poet and Rhys Nanmor of Manorbier, are also all interred at Whitland.  

Welsh and English Conflicts

 The Abbey’s strong Welsh allegiance saw Whitland Abbey gain a reputation as a place of Welsh resistance and as a result the English crown frequently singled out the abbey for punitive measures. Rhys’ son Maredudd was blinded by order of King Henry II, when held hostage in England, before returning to the abbey as a monk. King Edward I, also stayed at the abbey on 5th June, 1295, during the revolts.

Changing Allegiances 

In 1320, the Abbot of Whitland decided to be governed by English custom, bringing an end to its Welsh identity. Despite this, in 1433, the Abbot David ap Rhys was charged for his alleged part in the treason of King Henry V’s brother, Humphrey Plantagenet, then pardoned after a brief period during which the Abbey possessions were sequestrated. This event was probably another punitive measure for the Glyndwr rising. Seven years later, the Abbot pleaded to the king and pope that the revenues of his monastery had been so diminished by the ravages of sword and fire, that they were insufficient to support the Abbot and eight monks.

Suppression and Closure

The decline of the Abbey was probably hastened by the Black Death in 1347. At this stage it was a far cry from the community numbering a brotherhood of one hundred recorded in its prime. Whitland Abbey’s dissolution by King Henry VIII was in 1536, with an indicated income of less than £200, and although briefly restored by the will of the King, possibly in return for £400, the Abbey finally closed in 1539.

History After Closure

After the Abbey’s dissolution, the site was used intermittently as an iron forge until the early 1800’s.
In September 2021 Cymdeithas Genedlaethol Hywel Dda, in partnership with the Whitland Abbey volunteers, signed a rolling Lease with Menevia Diocese to care for and promote the history of the Abbey Church ruins. Watch this space for new developments….

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