The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Grace Dieu Abbey (Hendre Site)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01454g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Llangattock-vibon-avel
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : SO45121310
Site Type (preferred type first) : Medieval Abbey
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
The second site of Grace Dieu Abbey. Founded by the Cistercian monks of Dore on 24th April 1226 (Brook 1988, 78; Williams 1976, 59) although the first buildings were probably completed in 1225. In 1233 the monastery was attacked by the Welsh and completely destroyed. It was rebuilt on another site in 1236 and may have been moved to a third site in 1276.

Description :
The second site of Grace Dieu Abbey (Williams 2001, 303 no.59). Founded by the Cistercian monks of Dore on 24th April 1226 (Brook 1988, 78; Williams 1976, 59) although the first buildings were probably completed in 1225. In 1233 the monastery was attacked by the Welsh and completely destroyed. It was rebuilt on another site in 1236 and may have been moved to a third site in 1276. At the time of its dissolution in 1536 the community consisted of only 2 monks.

The site of the original monastery, originally reported as 'not known' has now been located by Williams (2001, 303 no.58) on the site of the later Treurgan Grange; there is some doubt as to the exact position of the final site. Evans 2003: GGAT 73 Early-Medieval Ecclesiastical Sites Project database.

A geophysical survey undertaken in early 2000 broadly confirmed the general location, and suggested Multi-phase occupation of the site, though again was inconclusive on the location of the principal monastic buildings and the church. A number of features were identified (Phillips, N and Hamilton, M 2000). A single out of situ carved fragment, a capital, said to be derived from the abbey has been identified at Hendre Farm to the S at SO457125 (Robinson 2006, 247-248, 347-348).

Sources :
Bowden, R. and Roberts, R. , 2012 , Monastic Sites in Glamorgan and Gwent
Brook, D , 1988 , The early Christian church in Gwent , Monmouthshire Antiquary : 5 : 67-84
Phillips, N and Hamilton, M , 2000 , Geophysical survey at Grace Dieu Abbey , Monmouthshire Antiquary : 16 : 51-4
Robinson, D. M. , 2006 , The Cistercians in Wales: Architecture and Archaeology 1130-1540
Williams D.H. , 1964 , Grace Dieu Abbey , Monmouthshire Antiquary : 1 pt.4 : 85
Williams, D H , 1976 , White monks in Gwent and the borders
Williams, D H , 2001 , The Welsh Cistercians
01/MM Record Card/OS/1955-70/SO 41 SE 19
06/MM Desc Text/Cadw/1987/AM107
03/PM Desc Text/CBA/Williams DH/1971/Arch in Wales p33
05/PM Desc Text/Williams DH/1984/The Welsh Cistercians vol II pp203-4,224,233,322
04/PM Desc Text/Williams DH/1984/The Welsh Cistercians vol I pp14-9,34,101,132,192
02/PM Desc Text/CBA/Monmouth Arch Soc/1970/Arch in Wales no43 p25
Evans EM, 2003-04, GGAT 73 Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Sites Project

Events :
E000302 : GRACE DIEU ABBEY (HENDRE SITE), EXCAVATION, 1971 (year : 1971)
E002131 : Grace Dieu Abbey (Hendre Site) (year : 2011)
E002157 : Geophysical Survey of Grace Dieu Abbey (Hendre Site) (year : 2000)
E001386 : Early medieval ecclesiastical sites in Southeast Wales desk based assessment (year : 2003)
E002119 : Assessment of Monastic Sites in Glamorgan and Gwent (year : 2012)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 1455G
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 1542G
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 3182G

Compiled date : 12-03-2004


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