Aberconwy Abbey facts for kids
Aberconwy Abbey was a very important Cistercian monastery located in Conwy, Wales. Later, it moved to Maenan, near Llanrwst. In the 1200s, it was the most significant abbey in northern Wales.
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Aberconwy Abbey: A Royal Monastery
Cistercian monks started a monastery at Rhedynog Felen near Caernarfon in 1186. A few years later, around 1190, they moved to Conwy. In 1199, Llywelyn the Great, who was the ruler of Gwynedd, gave them a lot of land. He was seen as the founder of the abbey. Because of his support, Aberconwy Abbey owned more land than any other Welsh abbey. It had over 40,000 acres (160 square kilometers).
Important Leaders and Burials
When Llywelyn the Great died in 1240, he was buried at Aberconwy Abbey. His son, Dafydd ap Llywelyn, who became the next ruler, was also buried there in 1246. Another of Llywelyn's sons, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, had died in 1244 while trying to escape from the Tower of London. In 1248, the abbot of Aberconwy and the abbot of Strata Florida Abbey arranged for Gruffydd's body to be brought back from London and reburied at Aberconwy.
The abbot of Aberconwy played a big role in talks between Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and the English king later in the century. In 1262, the abbot was chosen to be Llywelyn's only representative in these important discussions.
Moving the Abbey
In 1282, King Edward I of England brought a large army to the Snowdonia area. On December 11, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was the Prince of Wales, was led into a trap and sadly died.
In 1283, King Edward I asked the monks to move from Conwy to Maenan. This new location was further up the Conwy valley (53°10′24″N 3°48′44″W / 53.1733°N 3.8123°W). King Edward wanted to build a castle and a walled town at Conwy. The move was finished by 1284, and Edward helped pay for the new abbey buildings. In the 1400s, the abbot, John ap Rhys, had a disagreement with Strata Florida Abbey. He even led some monks and soldiers in a raid on that abbey.
The abbey was valued at £162 in 1535. It was officially closed down in 1537.
What Remains Today
Not much is left of the Maenan Abbey buildings. However, the original abbey church in Conwy was changed to become the local church, St Mary & All Saints. Even though it has been rebuilt many times over the centuries, some parts of the first church are still there. It is believed that the other abbey buildings were located to the north and east of the church.
Images for kids
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The former abbey church, now the parish church for Conwy
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Abbey church doorway
