List of monastic houses in Wales
List of monastic houses in Wales is a catalogue of abbeys, priories, friaries and other monastic religious houses in Wales.
In this article, alien houses are included, as are smaller establishments such as cells and notable monastic granges, and also camerae of the military orders of monks. The numerous monastic hospitals per se are not included here unless at some time the foundation had, or was purported to have, the status or function of an abbey, priory, friary, preceptory or :wikt:commandery|commandery.
The geographical co-ordinates provided are sourced from details provided by Ordnance Survey publications.
Overview
Article layout
Communities/provenance: this column shows the status and communities existing at each establishment, together with such dates as have been established as well as the fate of the establishment after dissolution, and the current status of the site.Formal Name or Dedication: this column shows the formal name of the establishment or the person in whose name the church is dedicated, where known.
Alternative Names: some of the establishments have had alternative names over the course of time. In order to assist in text-searching such alternatives in name or spelling have been provided.
Abbreviations and key
| * | indicates current monastic function |
| + | indicates current non-monastic ecclesiastic function |
| ^ | indicates current non-ecclesiastic function |
| $ | indicates remains limited to earthworks etc. |
| # | indicates no identifiable trace of the monastic foundation remains |
| ~ | indicates exact site of monastic foundation unknown |
Locations with names in italics'' indicate probable duplication
or non-existent foundations (either erroneous reference or proposed foundation never implemented.
| Cadw | Cadw — Welsh Historic Monuments |
List of establishments by county
[Anglesey]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Caergybi Monastery | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Cybi ; Secular canons collegiate 12th century?; dissolved c.1547; ecclesiastical college built on site; granted to Francis Morrice 1609 | Holyhead Monastery; Caer Gybi Monastery | ||
| Llanfaes Friary | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual founded c.1237-45 by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, Prince of Gwynedd and Wales; dissolved 1538 | |||
| Llanfechell Clas | Celtic monastery founded by St Machudd | |||
| Llangaffo Clas | Celtic monastery founded by St Caffo; dissolved 13th century | |||
| Penmon Priory | Celtic monks founded 6th century, reputedly by St Seiriol destroyed in raids by the Danes; subsequently rebuilt; Augustinian Canons Regular re-founded 1221 by Llywelyn Fawr, Prince of Gwynedd dissolved. c.1564; granted to John Moore | Glannagh Priory | ||
| Ynys Lannog Cell | Celtic monastery founded 6th century by St Seiriol; Augustinian Canons Regular dependent on Penmon founded 1237–1414; dissolved 1536? | Priestholme Cell; Puffin Island Cell |
[Carmarthenshire]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Bachannis Monastery | purportedly founded c.513 by St Piro | |||
| Carmarthen Greyfriars | Franciscan Friars Minor, Conventual ; founded before 1284; dissolved 1538; granted to Sir Thomas Gresham 1551/2; site now occupied by Greyfriars shopping centre | Caermarthen Friary | ||
| Carmarthen Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Dewi; dissolved c.1120; Benedictine priory established on site ' | Llandeulyddog | ||
| Carmarthen Priory | Benedictine monks St Peter's church granted by Henry I on site of Celtic Clas | '; cell of Battle, Sussex; independent priory; monks induced to leave 1125 in order to found an Augustinian establishment; Augustinian Canons Regular — Arroasian founded before 1127 by King Henry I; dissolved 1536; granted to Richard Andrews and Nicholas Temple 1543/4 | The Priory Church of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Teulyddog, Carmarthen ____________________ Caermarthen Priory | ||
| Kidwelly Priory | Benedictine monks — from Sherborne, Dorset dependent on Sherborne; founded 1114, site granted by Roger, Bishop of Sarum; dissolved 1539 | The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Kidwelly now The Parish and Priory Church of Saint Mary, Kidwelly ____________________ Cydweli Priory; Cadwell Priory | ||
| Llanarthney Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century? by St Dewi; parochial from c.1220 | |||
| Llandeilo Monastery | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Teilo; parochial? from c.1107 | Llandeilo Fawr Monastery | ||
| Llandovery Priory | Benedictine monks cell dependent on Great Malvern, Worcestershire; founded c.1110 by the Cliffords, church granted by Richard fitz Pons before 1126; dissolved c.1185 due to misconduct of the monks | dedication unknown | ||
| St Clears Priory | Cluniac monks founded 1147-84 ; dissolved c.1414; granted to All Souls College, Oxford; church in parochial use from 1920 | The Priory Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Clears | ||
| Talley Abbey | Celtic monks founded before 1066; Premonstratensian Canons daughter of St-Jean, Amiens, France founded c.1184-9, credited to Lord Rhys Gruffydd Price ; dissolved c.1536 and retained by the Crown; | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint John the Baptist ____________________ Abaty Talyllychau; Tallagh Abbey; Tallesch; Tallach | ||
| Whitland Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Treffgarn daughter of Clairvaux; founded here c.1151; dissolved 1539; granted to Henry Audley and John Cordel 1544 | The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Albalanda Abbey; 'Abelanda' Abbey; Ty Gwyn ar Daf |
[Ceredigion]
| Foundation | Image | Communities and provenance | Formal name or dedication and alternative names | On-line references and location |
| Cardigan Priory | Benedictine monks priory cell dependent on Gloucester, Gloucestershire; founded c.1110-15; priory cell dependent on Chertsey, Surrey after 1165 ; dissolved 1538; granted to Bisham, Berkshire and subsequently to William and Mary Cavendish 1539/40; converted into a mansion; opened as Cardigan District and Memorial Hospital 1922 | The Priory Church of Our Lady of Cardigan ____________________ Cardigan Cell | ||
| Llanbadarn Fawr Priory | Celtic monks founded 6th century; destroyed before 1100; Benedictine monks cell dependent on Gloucester; church of St Paternus granted to Gloucester by Gilbert fitz Richard 1111; founded c.1116-7; lost from Gloucester 1136; secular collegiate refounded before 1144; dissolved ?c.1361-2 | The Priory Church of Saint Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr St Paternus | ||
| Llanddewi-brefi Clas | monks founded 6th century by St David; secular collegiate founded 1287 by Thomas Beck, Bishop of St David's; dissolved c.1547 | St David ____________________ Llandewi-brevi | ||
| Llanllyr Priory | Cistercian nuns founded c.1180 by Rhees ap Gruffydd, Lord Rhys; dissolved 1536; granted to William Sackville and John Dudley 1553; site currently on privately owned land | The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Llanleir Priory; Llanllŷr; Lanfer; Laller; Lanter; Llanweir | ||
| Strata Florida Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Whitland, Carmarthenshire; transferred from earlier foundation of Strata Florida at Yr Hen Fynachlog ' founded 1184 by Rhys ap Gruffydd; dissolved 1539; granted to the Stedman family; | The Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| Yr Hen Fynachlog | Cistercian monks — from Whitland, Carmarthenshire founded 1 June 1164 by Robert fitzStephen; transferred to new site at Strata Florida ' after 1184 | The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ 'The Old Monastery' | ||
| Yspyty-Ystwyth | Cistercian monks grange and supposed hospice dependent on Strata Florida; founded c.1180 | The Blessed Virgin Mary |
[Clwyd]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Aberconwy Abbey + | Cistercian monks daughter of Strata Florida; ; transferred here 1190 by Llywelyn Fawr of Gwynedd, removed from Rhedynog-felen, founded by Llewellvyn ab Iorwerth, becoming benefactor and patron before c.1200; community transferred to new site at Maenan 1283; church now in parochial use | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and All Saints ____________________ Abaty Aberconwy; Conway Abbey | ||
| Abergele Clas | Celtic monks founded before 856 | |||
| Bangor-is-y-coed Abbey | traditionally founded earlier than 6th century; abbey early 6th century | |||
| Basingwerk Abbey | Savignac monks — from Savigny founded 11 July 1131 by Ranulph, Earl of Chester; Cistercian monks orders merged 17 September 1147; dissolved 1535; granted to Henry ap Harry and Peter Mutton 1540/1; briefly refounded under Queen Mary | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Abaty Dinas Basing | ||
| Denbigh Friary | Carmelite Friars founded 1343-50 ; dissolved 1538 | St Mary ____________________ Henllan Friary | ||
| Gwytherin Nunnery | Celtic nuns connected with St Winefride | Witheriac Nunnery | ||
| Llandrillo Clas | Celtic monks church of St Teilo founded 7th century; under abbot 9th century to c.1150; parochial ? from after 1276 | |||
| Llanrhaiadr ym mochnant Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Dogfan ; to after 1291 | |||
| Llansilin Clas | Celtic monks foundation unknown; dissolved 13th century | |||
| Llanynys Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century ; under abbot until 15th century | |||
| Maenan Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Aberconwy ; transferred here 1283 after forced move by order of Edward I; dissolved c.1538; granted to Elezeus Wynne 1562/3; in ownership of William Frederick; site now occupied by hotel and grounds | The Abbey Church of Saint Mary and All Saints ____________________ Abaty Maenan; Maynan Abbey | ||
| Rhuddlan Friary | Dominican Friars founded before 1258; dissolved 1538; granted to Henry ap Harry 1540/1 | Rhudland Friary; Rhudlan | ||
| Ruthin Priory | Bonshommes Canons founded 1310 by John de Grey, Lord of Dyffryn; dissolved 1535; granted to William Winlove and John Stevens 1550/1; wall fragment remains to northwest of collegiate church | |||
| Ruthin Whitefriars | Carmelite Friars — considered most doubtful | |||
| St Asaph Monastery | Celtic monks founded c.mid-6th century by St Asaph ; secular collegiate episcopal diocesan cathedral founded 1143; extant | |||
| Talacre Abbey | Benedictine nuns founded 1868; transferred to Curzon, Cheshire, 1988 | |||
| Valle Crucis Abbey | Cistercian monks — from Strata Marcella founded 28 January 1201 by Madog ap Gruffydd Maelor, Prince of Powys at the instance of the abbots of Whitland, Strata Florida, Strata Marcella and Cwmhir; dissolved 1536/7 and granted to Sir William Pickering granted to Edward Wotton c.1611; | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Valle Crucis ____________________ Abaty Glyn y Groes; Abaty Glyn Egwestl; De Valle Crucis Llanegwast | ||
| Ysbyty Ifan Preceptory | Knights Hospitaller founded c.1190; united with Halston, Shropshire 1294; in use 1338 but no longer housed a community; dissolution unknown | Ysbyty Ifan; Dol Gynwal Preceptory |
[Glamorgan]
[Monmouthshire]
[Gwynedd]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Aberdaron Clas | Celtic monks — from Bardsey; founded 6th century by St Hyrwyn, disciple of St Dubricius; abbey 8th century; secular collegiate to after 1252 | |||
| Bangor Blackfriars | Dominican Friars founded before 1251 by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd; purportedly enlarged/rebuilt 1299; dissolved 1538; granted to Thomas Brown 1553; converted into a Free School 1557 | |||
| Bangor Monastery | Celtic monks founded 6th century; secular collegiate episcopal diocesan cathedral founded c.1092; extant | The Cathedral Church of Saint Deniol, Bangor | ||
| Bardsey Abbey | Culdee monks founded c./before 516?; Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1240 by Llywelyn the Great of Gwynedd; dissolved c.1537; granted to John, Earl of Warwick 1549/50; in ownership of Bardsey Island Trust, with public access | The Abbey of Saint Mary | ||
| Beddgelert Priory | Celtic monks founded 6th/7th century; Augustinian Canons Regular founded c.1198 by Llywelyn the Great; granted to the Carthusians at Chertsey, Surrey 1537; dissolved with it 19 June 1538; granted to Lord Radnor by Henry VIII | The Priory Church of Saint Mary, Beddgelert now The Priory and Parish Church of Saint Mary, Beddgelert ____________________ Bethkelert Priory; Bekelert; 'the priory of the Valley St Mary of Snowdon' | & | |
| Clynnog Fawr Abbey | Celtic monks founded c.616 by St Beuno; dissolved before 1291; Cistercian monks? refounded 13th century; secular collegiate refounded before 1291; dissolved 1547; parochial church reputedly on site | Clynnog Fawr Monastery; Clynnog-fawr Abbey | ||
| Corwen Monastery | Celtic monks founded 6th-7th century; dissolution unknown | |||
| Cymer Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Cwm Hir; founded 1198/9 by Gruffudd and Maredudd ap Cynan ; dissolved 1536; | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Llanelltyd ____________________ Cymmer Abbey; Mynachlog y Faner Kinner Abbey | ||
| Rhedynog-felen Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Strata Florida founded 27 July 1186 removed to Aberconwy c.1190 | The Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| St Tudwal's Island Monastery | Celtic monks, Culdees founded 6th century; Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1417; dissolved 1535 | Ynys Tudwal Monastery; Modstedwall Monastery | ||
| Towyn Clas | Celtic monks' — from Bardsey founded 6th century by St Cadfan from Bardsey; under an abbot 1147 |
[Pembrokeshire]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Caldey Island Priory | Celtic monks — from Llantwit Major founded late-5th century?, settlement possibly ended by raids by the Danes 10th century Benedictine monks — from St Dogmaels refounded after 1113–1115; dissolved 1536 | Caldey Cell; Caldy Priory; Ynys Pyr | ||
| Caldey Abbey * | Anglican Benedictine purchased 1906 and built present abbey converted to Catholicism 1913 sold due to financial difficulties 1925 Cistercian monks founded 1926; extant | |||
| Haverfordwest Friary | Dominican Friars founded before 1246; dissolved 1538 | St Saviour | ||
| Haverfordwest Priory | Augustinian Canons Regular founded before 1200 by Robert of Haverford; dissolved 1536; granted to Roger and Thomas Barlow c.1546 | The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Thomas the Martyr ____________________ Haverford Priory | ||
| Monkton Priory | Benedictine monks alien house: dependent on St-Martin, Séez; founded 1098 by the Anulph de Montgomery, Earl of Pembroke, church of St Nicholas granted to Séez until 1441; became denizen: granted to St Albans, Hertfordshire 1413; dissolved after 1535; granted to John Vaughan c.1545 | St Nicholas ____________________ Pembroke Priory; Pembroke Cell | ||
| Nevern Monastery | Celtic monks founded 5th century by St Brynach; parochial from 1115 | |||
| Penally Clas + | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Teilo; dissolved c.1100; remains incorporated into Church in Wales parish church of SS Nicholas & Teilo | |||
| Pill Priory | Tironensian monks daughter of St Dogmaels founded after 1113–1115 by Adam de Rupe ; dissolved 1536; granted to Roger and Thomas Barlow c.1541 | The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Budoc ____________________ Pille Priory; Pilla Priory; Hubberston Priory | ||
| Ramsey Island Monastery | Celtic monks | |||
| St Dogmaels Abbey | Celtic monks founded 6th century; destroyed 987; later; Tironensian monks alien house: daughter of Tiron, Normandy founded c.1113-15 by Robert fitzMartin; raised to abbey status 1120; dissolved 1536; granted to John Bradshaw | The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Dogmael ____________________ St Dogmells Abbey; Llandudoch Abbey | ||
| Slebech Preceptory | Knights Hospitaller founded 1161–76, reputedly by Wizo and his son Walter; granted to Gloucester by Wizo; dissolved before 1540; granted to Roger and Thomas Barlow | Slebagh Preceptory; Slebach Preceptory | ||
| Templeton | Knights Templar possibly small hostel or hospice; founded before 1185; dissolved before 1300; in private hands by the end of the 13th century | |||
| Tenby Whitefriars ? | Carmelite Friars? purportedly founded 1399; | |||
| Treffgarn Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Clairvaux; ; founded c.1144, temporarily settled here by Bernard, Bishop of St Davids; transferred to Whitland, Carmarthenshire 1151 | The Blessed Virgin Mary |
[Powys]
| Foundation | Image | Communities & Provenance | Formal Name or Dedication & Alternative Names | OnLine References & Location |
| Brecon Friary + | Dominican Friars founded before 1269; dissolved 1538; church later college chapel founded 1541 by Henry VIII | |||
| Brecon Cathedral Priory + | Benedictine monks dependent on Battle, Sussex; founded c.1110 by Bernard de Newmarch; dissolved 1538; granted to John ap Price by Henry VIII; conventual church in use as diocesan cathedral founded 1923; extant | The Priory Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Brecon | ||
| Cwmhir Abbey | Cistercian monks daughter of Whitland; ; founded here 1 August 1176 by Cadwallon ap Madog; dissolved 1537; granted to Walter Henley and John Williams 1545/6 | The Abbey Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Cwmhir ____________________ Cwmhyr Abbey; Abbey-Cwmhir; Cwm Hir Abbey; Cumhire Abbey | ||
| Glascwm Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century, believed by St David; parochial from c.1200? | Glascomb | ||
| Glasbury Clas | Celtic monks founded 7th century, patron Cynidr ; parochial from c.1088 | |||
| Llandinam Clas | Celtic monks founded 7th century by St Llonio; under an abbot until c.1150; parochial from after 1276? | |||
| Llangorse Clas | Celtic monks founded early-7th century; parochial from before c.1100 | St Paulinus | ||
| Llanguric Clas | Celtic monks founded early-6th century by St Curig ; until after 1175? | |||
| Llanllugan Abbey | Cistercian nuns — from Strata Marcella founded 1188 by Maredudd ap Rhobert, Lord of Cydewain; dissolved 1536; granted to Sir Arthur Darcy | The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Llanlugan Abbey | ||
| Llansaintfraed in Elvel Priory | Cistercian nuns founded before 1174 by Enoch, first abbot of Strata Marcella; dissolved before 1186 | The Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| Meigod Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century by St Tysilio; until 1170 or 1201 | |||
| St Harmon Clas | Celtic monks founded 6th century?, patron St Garmon; to after 1066? | |||
| Strata Marcella, earlier site | Cistercian monks daughter of Whitland founded 22 July 1170 by Owain Cyfeiliog ; transferred to new site ' 10 July 1172 | The Blessed Virgin Mary | ||
| Strata Marcella Abbey $ | Cistercian monks daughter of Whitland & Buildwas, Shropshire; ; transferred here 10 July 1172; dissolved 1536; granted to Rowland Howard and Thomas Dixton | The Blessed Virgin Mary ____________________ Ystrad Marchell; Pola | ||
| Tyfaenor Abbey | Cistercian monks' — from Whitland apparent unsuccessful attempted colonization; founded 22 July 1143 by Cadwathelan; trns to Cwmhir 1176 | Dyvanner Abbey; Ty-faenor'' |